MOUNT VERNON — Capes were optional, but superpowers were required Thursday as Knox County’s newest educators gathered for the 2026 Knox County New Educators’ Breakfast, hosted by the Knox County Chamber of Commerce.
“To those of you who may be new this year, welcome. You’re joining a passionate group of educators who are committed to not just teaching, but transforming,” Denise Conway of KCCC Board of Trustees said.
“Stepping into a new school or district can feel like the first day of a new chapter for you. The Knox County Chamber of Commerce wants you to know, you’re not starting it alone.”
Kokosing Construction has sponsored the event for the past 31 years. Michael Higgins, workforce development manager for the construction group, thanked KCCC for hosting the event.
“Kokosing Construction has always been proud to sponsor this event because we believe that education is one of the most important investments that a community can make,” Higgins said.
Investing in people and educators is the key to a strong future for Knox County, he said.
Jill McCartney, executive director of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, took the podium to thank everyone for their attendance. She extended a special thank you to Mayor Matthew Starr, members of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Deputy State Director Tom Evans, who were all present.
A celebration of institutions
Stephanie Blanchard, programs and social media coordinator for KCCC, continued the program by inviting a leader from each educational institution to come forward and introduce their new educators.
Institutions supporting all age ranges, from early education to post-secondary education, were present. Leaders spoke about achievements over the past year, discussed new developments and welcomed new educators into the community.
Tim Mackley, superintendent of Knox Educational Service Center, introduced the Knox County School District superintendents.
Mount Vernon City School District Superintendent Bill Seder was among the leaders who spoke.
“I’ve been to 14 New Educator Breakfasts, and it is really special. It’s something you just don’t see every place,” Seder said.
This was a sentiment shared by educational leaders across the county, who thanked KCCC and the corporate sponsors for hosting the event each year.
‘Captain Academia’ appears as guest speaker
Guest speaker and President of Central Ohio Technical College, John Berry, stepped forward to speak.
“Each one of you represents a superpower of your own … each one of you brings something extraordinary to this community, and it is an extraordinary community,” Berry said.
In line with the superhero team, Berry donned a pair of superhero sunglasses to become “Captain Academia.” His superpower of choice? Literature, to fight ignorance and uninformed opinion.
Berry said collaboration is one of Knox County’s greatest superpowers. By connecting education, the workforce and community, Knox County can create a lasting impact and continue building the strengths of each organization.
In fact, education is one of the key assets drawing people into the Knox County and surrounding communities, according to Berry.
Yet this success comes with challenges, or “kryptonite,” he said. The biggest issues facing education in the county are transportation barriers and “brain drain,” defined as when students move away after receiving their education.
“Those are the things and challenges we face together, but we are a strong ecosystem … these are all individual organizations that collectively can be a very powerful force of change,” Berry said.
Collaborative efforts can make that change and Berry said that educators must recognize the the lasting impact they have on their students.
“The influence of teachers extends beyond the classroom well into the future. Superheroes save the day, teachers will shape every day,” Berry said.
“You all have so much influence on the next generation … (to quote) Spider-Man, ‘with great power, comes great responsibility.’ I know each and everyone of you will live up to that in spades.”
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