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About Southwest
Once upon a time in the vibrant world of Oak Hills High School in Southwest Ohio, there were two passionate art teachers, Steve Groh and Jamie Schorsch. The story of this dynamic duo began in the hallowed halls of Walnut Hills High School, where destiny played its hand. In 1995, Jamie was an emerging artist in the Studio Art AP class with no idea that fate had a unique journey in store for her. Enter Steve Groh, a charismatic and talented young art teacher who happened to be Jamie's student teacher. Little did they know that their paths would cross again in the future. Fast forward to the future. Oak Hills High School was abuzz with excitement in 1999 when Steve returned to his alma mater as a full-fledged art teacher. Coincidentally, since they last met, Jamie had also embarked on her teaching career and found herself at Oak Hills High School in 2005, this time as a colleague. Their reunion was filled with joy and shared memories. What started as a mentor-student relationship had evolved into a deep and enduring friendship. Together, Steve and Jamie formed an artistic powerhouse, infusing creativity and passion into the Oak Hills High School Art and Design Department. As the years rolled by, Steve and Jamie faced the challenges of teaching with resilience, always pushing each other to explore new artistic horizons. Their bond extended beyond the classroom; they became best friends, sharing not only professional triumphs but also personal joys and sorrows. In 2023, after 18 years of teaching side by side, Steve and Jamie felt a calling to do something meaningful for their art education community and embarked on a new journey of becoming Co-Regional Directors for the Southwest Division of the OAEA. They envisioned a network that would unite art teachers from various schools, creating connections, support systems, and lasting friendships. Their quest was to foster collaboration and overcome the isolation that often came with the teaching profession. Steve and Jamie hoped to create a tight-knit community that not only supports professional growth but also enriches the personal lives of its members. As they looked back on their journey, Steve and Jamie realized that their story had come full circle—from mentor and student to colleagues and, finally, to leaders supporting the art educators in Southwest Ohio. |
Co-Regional Directors
Steve Groh Jamie Schorsch Regional Director Elect Open Opportunity! PR/Advocacy Chair Holly Benjamin Regional Events Coordinator Zanna Ferree Susan Lawrence Newsletter Editor Alyssa McRoberts Membership Chair
Melissa Kautz YAM/YPAE Chair Kate Mills High School Exhibit Chair Jamie Schorsch Awards Coordinator Kate Rowekamp Historian Mary Sala Student Rep Madison Taylor |