NILES, Ohio – Forty-one educators from across Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties will be recognized March 3 at the second annual Mahoning Valley Educators of the Year Honors Dinner at the Eastwood Event Centre.

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. Dinner will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the program at 6 p.m.

The event celebrates outstanding teachers who were nominated by their schools and districts for their dedication to students and classrooms. While one educator will be named Educator of the Year, the evening is designed to honor all nominees and the schools that supported their nominations.

This year’s nominees represent a wide range of experience and disciplines, from early-career educators to teachers with more than five decades in the classroom. Nominees span preschool through college-preparatory instruction and include backgrounds in the arts, music, counseling and core academic subjects.

Each nominee will be recognized during the program and will receive a red marble apple on a pedestal.

Five award recipients will receive a golden apple:

  • Educator of the Year.
  • Secondary Educator of the Year, honoring a teacher in grades seven through 12.
  • Early Educator of the Year, recognizing a teacher in kindergarten through sixth grade.
  • Golden Educator of the Year, celebrating a teacher with 20 or more years of service.
  • Young Educator of the Year, honoring a teacher with 10 years of experience or less.

The nominees are:

  • Tim Ritter, Austintown Local School District.
  • Amy Wolski, Beaver Local School District.
  • Nancy Sampson, Bloomfield-Mespo Local School District.
  • Melanie Oberle, Boardman Local Schools.
  • Mary Arp, Brookfield Local School District.
  • Annette Tovarnek, Campbell Impact Academy.
  • Jeremy Hamilton, Canfield Local School District.
  • Maureen Kandray, Cardinal Mooney High School.
  • Maria Magiassos, Champion Local School District.
  • Madison Kurtz, Columbiana Exempted Village School District.
  • Ryan McCullough, East Palestine School District.
  • Donna Melanson, Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio.
  • Eric Pellegrini, Girard City School District.
  • Kayla Welsh, Hubbard Exempted Village School District.
  • Jeanne Reyes, Jackson-Milton Local School District.
  • Christine Meeks, LaBrae Local School District.
  • Carrie Schlastt, Lakeview Local School District.
  • Emily Rodik, Leetonia Exempted Village School District.
  • Carrie Smith, Lisbon Exempted Village School District.
  • Maria Mangine, Lordstown Local School District.
  • Laraine Matisi, Lowellville Local School District.
  • Lisa Schiraldi-Argiro, Mahoning County Career & Technical Center.
  • David Ottney, Mathews Local School District.
  • Lora Sembach, Newton Falls Exempted Village School District.
  • Carol Pantelis, Niles City School District.
  • Michelle Landers, Poland Local School District.
  • Nicole Mathias, Sebring Local School District.
  • Cynthia Maynard, South Range Local School District.
  • Elizabeth Fink, Springfield Local School District.
  • Kevin Dailey, Struthers City School District.
  • Anthony Savric, Trumbull Career & Technical Center.
  • Ryan Burd, United Local School District.
  • Lisa Devlin, Ursuline High School.
  • Danielle Sample, Valley Christian Schools.
  • Brandy Scarmack, Warren City School District.
  • Matthew Green, Warren John F. Kennedy Catholic School.
  • Scott Yeagley, Weathersfield Local School District (Mineral Ridge).
  • Kathleen Menegay, West Branch Local Schools.
  • Carla Duda, Western Reserve Local School District.
  • Saedah Hadi, Youngstown City Schools.
  • Jennifer Ciocca, Youngstown Community School.

The honors dinner was created and coordinated by Hubbard teacher Josh MacMillan in partnership with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. Building on the success of last year’s event, organizers expanded participation to include more schools, educators and community partners.

“The greatest gift and blessing is to be a small piece in bringing this evening to life for our teachers,” MacMillan said. “In 22 years, I have met so many amazing people and I am fortunate to help them see the appreciation their students, colleagues and community have for them.”

Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Regional Chamber, has supported the initiative since first discussing the idea with MacMillan in 2024. He said the event highlights the critical connection between education, workforce readiness and the Valley’s economic future.

“Our educators do a wonderful job preparing our young people for great careers. We count on our educators to show their students that those opportunities now exist right here,” Coviello said. “The economic and career opportunities have shifted favorably in the Mahoning Valley since 2020 and will continue to trend in a positive direction.”

Traci Hostetler, superintendent of the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio, said a teacher’s influence is profound.

“They devote themselves to guiding others and shaping future generations, transforming curiosity into a lifelong love of learning. Teachers are selfless, generous and deeply committed to the success of their students,” Hostetler said. “Recognizing their dedication is essential, as teaching – one of the most important professions in our country – often goes unacknowledged. Honoring educators and their work is not only a gesture of gratitude but a vital investment in the strength and future of our region.”

Register HERE for the event.