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Midwest Regional Educational Learning Center

About our program

The Resilient Heights program is founded on the belief that every student is valuable and has the potential to succeed both in school and beyond.

At Resilient Heights, students receive an individualized education that includes life and social skills, career exploration, mental health counseling, and a hands-on curriculum aligned with the Ohio Learning Standards. Our staff come from diverse backgrounds and work together to help students feel empowered to make positive choices that benefit their own lives and the lives of those around them. We follow a restorative justice model, encouraging students to take responsibility for their mistakes and work toward meaningful resolution. Our goal is to help every student strengthen interpersonal skills, build coping strategies, and develop resilience in challenging situations.

Students in our program will feel valued, supported, and motivated to do their best in their studies, while also becoming stronger learners and responsible citizens. They will gain skills in mediation, form positive relationships with peers and staff, and leave Resilient Heights prepared to succeed academically, socially, and personally.

The 5 'R's of Justice: Restorative

Respect

Listen with respect for those sharing their experiences and respect for the process.

Reintegration

Collaborate with community and impacted parties to encourage connection.

Relationship

Mend the harms that have caused separation between individuals and their communities.

Repair

Take action to repair harms without demanding that all rifts be mended.

Responsibility

Take accountability for actions and decisions while staying grounded in humility.

Our Mission

Resilient Heights mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and highly structured therapeutic learning environment where students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our Core Value – or Mission Action Steps

1. Personalized Learning
2. Integrated Therapy
3. Strong Family and Community Partnership
4. Empowering Students to Build Skills, Reach Their Potentials and Succeed Beyond the Classroom

Resilient Heights North Branch:

530 Gilmore St.

Kenton, OH 43326

Phone: 937-599-5195 ext. 3000

Email: dadams@mresc.org

Chelsea Miller-Goecke

Office Manager

Mrs. Meaghen Tidwell

Director of MRELC South

Mr. Doug Adams

Director of MRELC North

Mrs. Kristina Baughman

Assistant Director

Resilient Heights South Branch:

2190 Miami-Conservancy Rd.

Sidney, OH 45365
Phone: 937-498-1354 ext. 6005
Email: mtidwell@mresc.org

Misty Eckenwiler

Office Manager

struster@mresc.org

937-498-1354 ext. 7003

Sybil Truster

Director of Administrative Services

Sybil Truster serves as the Director of Administrative Services for the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center. Sybil has worked as an Adjunct Professor for the University of Dayton, Ashland University, Urbana University and a teaching assistant at Harvard University.

Mrs. Truster holds a BS from Wilmington, an M.ED from Miami University and an Administrative Degree from Wright State University. She has received the STAR Award from the National Science Teacher Foundation and the Christa McCullife Fellowship. She has presented at numerous state and national conferences and the International Conference of Gifted Education.

Mrs. Truster’ current responsibilities include program management for the 21st Community Learning Center grants, the Career NETWORK, Shelby County Counselors and Shelby County Parent Project. Mrs. Truster is the Director of the MRESC – Sidney City Schools Opportunity School.

ebaer@mresc.org

937-498-1354 ext. 7004

Erica Baer

Director of Student Achievement & Gifted Learning

Erica brings a wide range of experiences and perspectives to our team. After graduating with honors from The Ohio State University with both a Bachelor’s in English (French minor) and her Master’s in Education focused on integrated, cross-curricular, multi-ability teaching (elementary, 1-8), Erica’s 19 years in education span grades 3-12 (with over 14 years at the high school level). During those teaching assignments, Erica created the curriculum for each of the courses taught, whether focused on honors, “college prep”, or modifying the work for students with special needs and/ or twice exceptionalities.

Passionate about learning, travel, and positive change, Erica frequently particpates in service opportunities both nationally and internationally, including week-long student summer enrichment opportunities for Native American youth and month-long international camps where students from 10 or more countries learn to build friendships and cross cultural barriers.

Erica’s travels to and work with students across cultures and contexts have helped her to understand that, though kids’ situations may differ, at their core, all kids deserve the opportunity to grow, to thrive, and to become their personal best. During her free time, Erica enjoys time with friends and family by hiking or enjoying the great outdoors, listening to or creating music, exploring new cultures, and challenging herself to continue growing in body, mind, and spirit.

lberger@mresc.org

937-498-1354

Lori Berger

Early Childhood Director

jmoore@mresc.org

Janet Moore

President

rwoolley@mresc.org

Ryan Woolley

Board Member

dcampbell@mresc.org

Dave Campbell

Board Member

editmer@mresc.org

Eric Ditmer

Board Member

rsailor@mresc.org

Randall Sailor

Vice President

asimindinger@mresc.org

937-498-1354 ext. 7020

Amy Simindinger

Juvenile Court Liaison

Amy Simindinger serves the role of Juvenile Court Liaison for Shelby County. Amy is a graduate of Sidney High School and The Ohio State University. Prior to her role with the MRESC, Amy was principal of Nicholas School in Piqua for 11 years, serving children with academic and social challenges. Amy is also the director of the IMPACT program and serves as a Parent Project Facilitator.

Amy has served in several nonprofit organizations in Shelby County including 8 years with Charity League, 6 years with Shelby County CASA/GAL and five years with Wilma Valentine Childcare.

Amy also advocates for animals and serves as a foster family for the Shelby County Animal Shelter and other area animal rescues. In her free time, Amy enjoys Ohio State Football, reading and spending time with her family.