Gosser named director of exceptional learners for Marion Community Schools

Marion Community Schools is pleased to announce a new role for a longtime partner.

Lynn Gosser, who has served as executive director of the Grant County Special Education Cooperative (of which MCS is a member) for 25 years, will take on the new role of director of exceptional learners at MCS, which will encompass oversight of the Special Services Department, along with adult education, alternative education, English language learners, high ability services, and more.

“We are thankful that Lynn has chosen to join our team in a full-time leadership capacity and is committing to help us provide our mission-motivated best to our Marion students, staff, families, and community we are privileged to serve,” MCS Superintendent Brad Lindsay said.

Gosser will provide oversight and support for the programs listed above, along with leadership and guidance to MCS social support staffers and the junior high and high school teams.

“I am grateful for this giant opportunity to serve on the administrative team at Marion Community Schools,” Gosser said. “I am both honored and humbled. It is very exciting to be a part of a school district that provides so many opportunities to all students.”

Lindsay said Gosser’s experience will be invaluable.

“Lynn has excellent educational leadership experience engaging the Indiana Department of Education, state special education leaders, Grant County superintendents, local special education personnel, agencies, families, faculty, staff, administrators, and schools,” he said. “We are pleased to welcome her, and we know that her wealth of experiences will help make our Marion Community Schools team even better.”

Gosser earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from Ball State University, and earned two master’s degrees from there as well, in special education and special education administration. She is currently working toward her education specialist degree and doctorate in educational leadership through Oakland City University.

She is a licensed teacher and a certified crisis prevention and intervention trainer. In addition to her duties with the Special Ed Co-op, she has also been a leader in community initiatives to provide expanded opportunities and access to local people, including the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative and the Systems of Care Governance Board.

MCS online registration begins soon

Registration for the 2017-18 school year at Marion Community Schools will begin next month.

Online registration is set to open on Saturday, July 1. (A link will be available here at our website). Families with students who were enrolled at an MCS school last year can register their students online.

The online registration process can be completed at any internet-connected computer (including the public stations available at Marion Public Library). However, computer/internet access and staff assistance will also be available during our onsite registration days, set for 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 11 and 12 at Marion High School, 750 W. 26th St. (This will be the location for registration for all MCS schools, K-12. Staff from all school buildings will be available on those days at Marion High School.) Please enter at Door 4 on the 26th Street side of the building. Parking is available in the parking lot on the east side of the building. Please do not park in the circle off 26th Street. 

Those with students who are new to MCS should plan to attend our onsite registration days to provide needed documentation and information, including proof of residence (such as a recent utility bill with your name and address), and the name and contact information for the school your student most recently attended, along with any health/allergy information.

>> Click here for a flier with registration information, school supply lists, and a school year calendar

Textbook fees and deposits can also be paid online as part of the registration process, or at the onsite registration days (where you can avoid the online payment processing fee).

A note for students registering for classes at Marion Regional Career Center: MHS students will register for MRCC classes during the regular registration process outlined above. However, MRCC has separate times set for county students who will attend in the fall: between 8:30 and 11 a.m. or 12:30 and 3 p.m. on July 12 and 13 at Marion High School. Please enter at Door 4 on the 26th Street side of the building. Parking is available in the parking lot on the east side of the building. Please do not park in the circle off 26th Street.

More information about MCS enrollment is available online at www.marion.k12.in.us, in the “Enrollment” tab.

Smith named director of elementary education for Marion

Marion Community Schools is pleased to announce its new director of elementary education: Michele Smith.

Smith has served in various roles for Marion Community Schools, including teacher, preschool manager, elementary principal, and most recently curriculum coordinator with a focus on secondary education and technology. To her new role she brings expertise in curriculum development, data analysis, professional development, parent involvement, and much more. She will focus on P-6 education and will also head up Title I programming for the district.

Marion Community Schools Superintendent Brad Lindsay said Smith’s experience will be invaluable.

“Michele Smith is moving into her niche role as director of elementary education and Title I administrator,” Lindsay said. “Her experience as an early childhood teacher, elementary principal, and district curriculum coordinator prepares her well for this role.”

Smith said she is looking forward to this new opportunity.

“My passion is literacy and supporting students to reach their full potential. I want to support buildings as they design individualized instruction to meet students’ needs,” Smith said. “I’m looking forward to building on my past experiences here at Marion Community Schools and continuing to invest in the families of our community.”

Lindsay said he is looking forward to continued progress as Smith steps into this new role.

“Michele is a doer, a producer, and an excellent communicator. She is mission-motivated, and she loves the faculty, staff, students, families, and community of Marion,” he said. “Michele is a collaborative leader, an excellent facilitator, and professional trainer. Her passion includes early childhood literacy and working with teams of administrators and teachers to make better learning experiences and opportunities happen for the students of Marion. Michele is the right leader at the right time to take the baton and continue our path upward.”

Smith earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Virginia, her master’s in early childhood Ball State University, and is completing her doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction through Oakland City University.