The new leader at the McDowell Education Center hopes to form partnerships with local employers to prepare adult education students with skills that are needed in the workforce.
Megan Shaff, who was promoted to adult and alternative education director for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. effective with the new school year, had spent the previous six years at Columbus Signature Academy — New Tech High School, where she was a counselor.
Shaff said her experience at CSA New Tech allowed her to not only to work with students and help prepare them for their futures, but to meet new people in the community. Now, Shaff hopes to continue the work of her predecessor, Andrea Quick, who retired at the end of June after 11 years as director of the McDowell Education Center, which provides services to diverse age groups — from infants to adults.
“Andrea Quick was a great leader here and I want to continue that legacy,” Shaff said.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Shaff also recognizes the importance of McDowell itself, where some students she worked with at CSA New Tech were able to attend classes.
“McDowell was a blessing to help them graduate and get caught up on time,” she said.
The center, at 2700 McKinley Ave., houses BCSC’s Bright Beginnings daycare program, an English Language Learners program and the Columbus Area Career Connection (C4) cosmetology program. It is also a place where adult learners can work toward a high school equivalency diploma.
In addition, adult students at McDowell work toward earning certifications in Microsoft Office, the director said.
“A lot of great things have been done,” Shaff said, who promises there will be more to come.
On the workforce-development front, McDowell is working on offering a certification in manufacturing to become a certified production technician.
Residents who acquire the certifications will be attractive job candidates for employers in Bartholomew County and the region, she said.
“There’s a continued demand for highly qualified, skilled workers,” Shaff said.
In addition, McDowell recently launched a class to help adult Latino students improve their employability skills through a partnership with Cummins Inc. and Su Casa Columbus, a nonprofit organization that welcomes and serves the Latino community.
“We have a lot of different learning opportunities for life happening here,” Shaff said.
It also started a partnership with Faurecia, using one of the company’s Columbus plants where a McDowell instructors is teaching an English Language Learners class.
Making the change
The new McDowell director said it was a difficult decision to leave CSA New Tech after her six years there.
“CSA is a special place in my heart and always will be,” Shaff said.
New Tech principal Mike Reed described Shaff as a solution-minded individual who always helped students, teachers and staff with their needs.
“She’s just super positive,” Reed said. “That’s just contagious for staff and kids.”
Shaff said her transition to McDowell has been going well, adding that she has enjoyed getting to know staff members around her.
She calls it a special place, where center employees feel empowered to help the community.
“It’s another great pathway for learners,” she said. “Our teachers help facilitate that happening.”
Impacting as many people as possible is an important focus for the McDowell staff, she said.
“We want to serve every student who comes through the door,” Shaff said.
Shaff, a native of Nappanee in northern Indiana, began her BCSC career at Columbus North High School, where she worked seven years — including as a physical education/health teacher, department coordinator during her final year and head volleyball coach.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Megan Shaff” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 41
Education: Bachelor’s degree in sports management from Valparaiso University; master’s degree in education from Indiana Wesleyan University
Professional path:
- Joined Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. as a head volleyball coach at Columbus North High School, where she worked for seven years while teaching physical education/health, including her final year at the school as department coordinator.
- Before being promoted to adult/alternative education director at McDowell, Shaff spent six years at Columbus Signature Academy — New Tech High School, where she was a counselor.
Family: Husband Chris; sons Riley and Kellen
[sc:pullout-text-end]
