How OH ASPIRE Program Impacts Students: Leadership in Action at ODLS and OHVA

At its heart, the OH ASPIRE Leadership Program isn’t just about developing future leaders. It’s about creating lasting, meaningful change for the students we serve at Ohio Digital Learning School (ODLS) and Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA). This year’s OH ASPIRE Leadership Program Innovation Challenge gave participants – ODLS and OHVA educators – the chance to tackle real problems and design solutions that directly improve the student experience.

Tackling Real Challenges

Two teams of emerging leaders spent months collaborating, problem-solving, and preparing to present their ideas in a Shark Tank-style showcase. Their projects addressed two of the most common challenges in K12-powered schools today:

Team A: Student Onboarding & Engagement
Their work focused on designing a more structured orientation and onboarding plan that extends beyond the first day, giving students and families greater clarity and confidence as they begin their online journey. While K12 provides strong resources to get students ready to begin, Team A asked, “What happens next?” Their plan adds structure for the teacher-led first week, reducing confusion and frustration for students, and ultimately boosting engagement, retention, and school success.

Team B: Statewide Resource Hub
This team pitched a “one-stop shop” website to house school-level resources for educators and school staff, tailored to each state. Imagine a central hub where counselors, teachers, and administrators can upload and share tools, newsletters, and professional development opportunities—all designed to better support students. Their approach is intentionally “bottom-up,” ensuring the resources reflect what schools need most.

From Ideas to Impact

Building Leaders, Building Futures

For the OH ASPIRE  participants, the program was as much about personal growth as it was about innovation. For People Experience Manager and head of this year’s OH ASPIRE Program Juanita Brandon, this was a passion project driven by the belief in ensuring leaders have room to grow:

“It’s been a joy to create something that both complements our existing values and invests in the people who will carry them forward.”

Team members reflected on how OH ASPIRE  pushed them outside their comfort zones, taught them to lead with empathy, and showed them the power of collaboration.

Joshua, who led one of the teams, shared, “At first, I wasn’t sure how to approach the problem, but through collaboration with other emerging leaders, I learned to adapt, listen actively, and lead with purpose. The experience helped me build confidence in my ability to navigate uncertainty and grow as a thoughtful, resilient leader.”

Christy, special education manager at OHVA shared, “Participating in OH ASPIRE was one of the more meaningful experiences along my leadership journey. The program created space for reflection, growth, and connection with colleagues who are equally committed to making an impact.”

These personal reflections highlight what OH ASPIRE is truly about: growing leaders who, in turn, create better schools for students.

Why It Matters for Students

When educators and staff grow as leaders, students reap the rewards. OH ASPIRE participants didn’t just brainstorm ideas, they designed solutions that make schools more welcoming, more connected, and more supportive. These projects are laying the groundwork for stronger student engagement, improved retention, and more successful academic journeys across ODLS, OHVA, and beyond.

Looking Forward

OH ASPIRE proves that every investment in our people is an investment in our students’ futures. The projects completed in this year’s cohort will continue to shape our schools for years to come, ensuring that ODLS and OHVA remain places where students can thrive.

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