Quaker Success: Redefining What It Means to Succeed

We continue our "Quakers Teaching Quakers" theme as we speak with Matt Mowery from the Class of 2003 in our sixth episode of the season. Matt currently serves as a mathematics teacher at Salem High School and is also the head girls basketball coach. Matt and his wife Brooke, who teaches second grade at Buckeye Elementary, are raising their two children here in Salem. Please note that this conversation was recorded last summer. In our conversation, Matt reflects on growing up in Salem with deep family roots in the community and describes his path through Salem City Schools—from preschool at First Christian Church to Reilly Elementary, Southeast Elementary, Salem Junior High School, and ultimately Salem High School. Matt shares memories of playing sports with friends around town, participating in band, choir, and basketball, and how influential teachers—especially math teacher Mr. Alejars—helped transform his relationship with mathematics and inspired him to pursue a career in education. We also learn about Matt's time at the University of Mount Union, where he majored in mathematics and became involved in sports broadcasting through WRMU, even calling two national championship football games during his time on campus. Matt also walks us through the early years of his teaching career at United Local Schools, where he spent more than a decade teaching mathematics and coaching basketball. Along the way, he reflects on the challenges and growth that came with becoming a head basketball coach at a young age, the personal hardships he navigated during those years, and the lessons that shaped his perspective as both an educator and mentor. Matt later continued his professional development by earning a Master's Degree in Educational Administration from Ashland University in 2011. Finally, Matt shares what it meant to return home in 2021 to teach at Salem High School, reflecting on how education and students have changed over the past two decades while emphasizing the enduring importance of relationships, high standards, and community pride. We also hear about his involvement with the Salem Athletic Hall of Fame and his belief that success is ultimately defined by the positive impact we have on others, our families, and our communities. We hope you enjoy! Follow Quaker Success: Redefining What It Means to Succeed wherever you get your podcasts.

Our latest episode features Shelley Miller Wilson from the Class of 1997, whose personal and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to education, community, and service. Shelley currently serves as a K–12 Literacy Specialist at Salem City Schools, after beginning her career as a kindergarten teacher and spending many years in the classroom. Outside of work, Shelley is a proud mom of three and continues to balance family life with a career centered on helping students and teachers thrive. In our conversation, Shelley reflects on growing up in Salem, describing a childhood filled with bike rides around town, Booster Club sticker duty at Quaker sporting events, and strong family ties to Salem City Schools that stretch back multiple generations. She walks us through her unique path through nearly every Salem school building, her deep involvement in high school activities including cheerleading, athletic training, Key Club, yearbook, Spanish Club, and choir, and how early signs of her passion for teaching were present long before she realized education was her calling. Shelley shares her college journey to Bowling Green State University, where she studied elementary education, joined a sorority, and found her leadership voice through Dance Marathon. She discusses the challenges and growth that came with leaving home, earning two master's degrees, navigating early career setbacks, and ultimately returning to Salem in a role that allows her to support both teachers and students. Shelley closes by reflecting on the rewards and challenges of being a literacy specialist, her enduring love for the classroom, and her belief that at the heart of both the Salem and West Branch communities is a shared commitment to putting kids first. We hope you enjoy! Follow Quaker Success: Redefining What It Means to Succeed wherever you get your podcasts.

We continue our "Quakers Teaching Quakers" theme as we speak with Sean Kirkland from the Class of 1986 in our fourth episode of the season. Sean serves as Superintendent in the Salem City School District. In our conversation, we learned about Sean's experience growing up on the west side of Salem, attending Prospect School, and experiencing the City of Salem back in the 1970s and '80s (playing outside and not coming home until the street lights turn on). Sean spoke about the tough times his family experienced, the wild turns his athletic career would take--both in high school and college, and the influence a few great teachers had on him that led him to realize education was the career path for him.  We also learn about Sean's rough first day of his first full-time teaching role, how he was ten minutes away from becoming a West Branch Warrior, and his experience moving from teaching Industrial Tech to sitting at the Superintendent's desk. We hope you enjoy! Be sure to tune into the intro for a few reports regarding the Salem High School Alumni Association's classroom grant program and the Career Day program for Salem sophomores.  Follow "Quaker Success: Redefining What It Means to Succeed" wherever you get your podcasts.

Our third episode of the season continues our "Quakers Teaching Quakers" theme, as we speak with Teresa Huzyak Sisson from the Class of 2002. Teresa is currently a third grade teacher at St. Paul School in Salem. In her free time, Teresa loves hanging out with her two sweet kids, reading too many books at once, and watching documentaries. In our conversation, Teresa recounts her experience growing up in a large family and describes her path to graduation from SHS, including her experience attending St. Paul School through sixth grade and transitioning to the junior high and high school. As we learn, Teresa's professional journey started with a plan to major in Integrated Literature Education at the beginning of her college experience, continued through her earning a bachelor and master degree in Sociology at area universities, and then shifted after becoming involved in administering a research project that persuaded her to become an educator. Teresa then reflects on her greatest success, the lessons from her teaching life that spill into life outside of school, and the advice she has for current SHS students. We hope you enjoy!   We want to once again thank our partner the Salem High School Alumni Association for their support of this podcast. Follow "Quaker Success: Redefining What It Means to Succeed" wherever you get your podcasts.

In the second episode of our second season titled "Quakers Teaching Quakers," we speak with a father and son duo: Dennis Niederhiser '71 and Jarrod Niederhiser '04. We spent time getting to know the stories of each Niederhiser. We talked with Denny about growing up in Salem in the 1950s and 1960s, his educational journey, and the importance of doing whatever it took to make sure students learned what they needed to learn. We spoke with Jarrod about his experience growing up in Salem in the 1990s and early 2000s (with a well-known principal as a father), his process of identifying education as the career for him, and the importance of meeting students where they are to get them excited about learning. We also got into favorite Salem restaurants--past and present, favorite Salem memories, and what it was like to work alongside their former teachers as colleagues.  Follow "Quaker Success: Redefining What It Means to Succeed" wherever you get your podcasts.

In the first episode of our new season titled "Quakers Teaching Quakers," we speak with George Spack '69--a proud Salem High School alum whose career and life journey have been marked by a passion for teaching, supporting students as they strengthen their character and discipline, and fostering community spirit. We spoke with George about what it was like growing up in Salem in the 1950s and '60s, his Quaker basketball career, his journey to and time spent at the College of William and Mary, and his path into coaching and education. George described challenges he navigated throughout his life experience and also reflected on what it was like to return to Salem as a teacher. George also offered insights into what success has meant to him. Be sure to check out the intro for information about the Salem High School Alumni Association Classroom Grants that are available for Salem City Schools educators! Follow "Quaker Success: Redefining What It Means to Succeed" wherever you get your podcasts.

Quaker Success Shorts: Stories Among Friends is a bonus series under the Quaker Success umbrella, offering brief, scripted episodes that shine a light on the lives of Salem High School alumni and are told entirely by your hosts, Craig, Aaron, and Ed. In these narrative-driven stories, we bring alumni journeys to life in our own words, weaving together the details they've shared into a short-form experience. These episodes are snapshots—quieter, tighter, and a little different from our interviews, but rooted in the same spirit of community, curiosity, and Quaker pride. Our first episode in this new series profiles Richard "Dick" Buta '57.  We'll "see" you in September when we'll release the first episode of our second season, "Quakers Teaching Quakers." Follow "Quaker Success: Redefining What It Means to Succeed" wherever you get your podcasts. 

Andrew Beck '25 just graduated from Salem High School and was one of two members of his class voted "Most Likely to Succeed." We spoke with Andrew about the experience of attending St. Paul School from kindergarten through sixth grade and how he navigated the transition to Salem City Schools. Through our conversation we learned that Andrew is always looking to stay busy, which led him to play three sports during his high school career, serve the Salem community through Key Club, and work outdoors--both tending to his yard and holding a few landscaping jobs.  Andrew will be attending The Ohio State University in Fall 2025 to major in Sport Management, following in his parents' footsteps. We asked Andrew about the memories from Salem that he will take with him to Columbus and how he's feeling about life after Salem.   Be sure to check out the intro for information about the upcoming Salem High School Alumni Weekend in August as well as an announcement regarding Season 2 of Quaker Success.  Follow "Quaker Success: Redefining What It Means to Succeed" wherever you get your podcasts. 

Sally Kendall Wajahn '76 holds the position of Director, Member Engagement with the National Association of Cancer Center Development Offices (NACCDO) and lives with her husband in Aurora, Ohio. We spoke with Sally about the experience of growing up in Salem as the third of four kids with well-known parents who were deeply involved in the community. Sally shared her most influential high school experiences with us as well as named a few of the educators who shaped her life. We also heard how "Service above Status" was not only a lesson from her parents but became an ethos that guided Sally as she built her family and career.  Be sure to check out the intro for information about the Salem High School Alumni Association Scholarship Award program and Open House, as well as this year's Honored Alumnus.  Follow "Quaker Success: Redefining What It Means to Succeed" wherever you get your podcasts. 

Bo Rottenborn '99 is Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships for CBS Sports, and he lives in San Diego, California with his wife in a neighborhood that he describes as feeling very much like Salem. Our conversation with Bo explores his experience growing up in Salem in the 1980s and 1990s, and we highlight the significant (and we do mean significant) number of involvements Bo had while in high school while also touching on what challenges he may have been navigating throughout all the activities. We learn about Bo's experience at Notre Dame, his move out to California, and what he considers to be his greatest success. Be sure to check out the intro for information about the Salem High School Alumni Association scholarship process and April's SHSAA Scholarship Award program and Open House.  Follow "Quaker Success: Redefining What It Means to Succeed" wherever you get your podcasts. 

Dr. Peter Apicella '82 is the Chief Radiologist at Salem Regional Medical Center, continuing the long family legacy established in Salem by his father, Dr. Frank Apicella and his uncle, Dr. Salvatore Apicella--also both radiologists. Our conversation touches on Pete's experiences growing up in Salem, his time at Salem High School, where he not only was thinking about the intersection of medicine and technology even back then, but also where he collaborated with a classmate to publish a book on solving the Rubik's Cube. We hear about Pete's undergraduate experience at John Carroll University and his time at Washington University in St. Louis for medical school. We also learn about Pete's decision to return to Salem and his 30+ years spent contributing to our community through his involvement with Salem Rotary, the Alumni Association, the Kent State Salem Advisory Board, the Salem Community Center, and other organizations. As Aaron asked at one point in the interview, "How do you find the time...?" We hope you enjoy our conversation with Pete as much as we did! Follow "Quaker Success: Redefining What It Means to Succeed" wherever you get your podcasts. 

Mariah Knepper Roj '03 is the founder and proprietor of S'il Vous Play, a children's toy shop located in Cleveland Heights. Mariah's a mom to three kids--"the greatest teachers in her life" as she describes them--and has earned multiple college degrees, including one in organizational communication and another in nursing; though she does not work in nursing, she does hold an active registered nurse license. Our conversation with Mariah touches on her experience growing up in Salem, and we also discuss the relationship between success and failure--not only in our professional experiences, but also in our personal relationships. We conclude with some advice Mariah offers to current SHS students, including not being afraid to step outside the box or change their own plans for themselves. Be sure to check out the introduction for some updates from the Salem High School Alumni Association, including information on how to make a contribution to its scholarship fund--either on Giving Tuesday (Tues., Dec. 3rd!) or afterward.  Follow "Quaker Success: Redefining What It Means to Succeed" wherever you get your podcasts. 

Dr. Michael Bigham '93 is the chief quality officer and pediatric intensive care physician with Akron Children's Hospital. As with all of our guests in this first season, Mike's classmates voted him most likely to succeed his senior year. We spend some time reflecting with Mike on his favorite SHS classes and teachers, how the community of Salem prepared him for his career, his personal and professional journey following graduation from high school, and what he considers to be his largest successes at this point in his life.  Follow "Quaker Success: Redefining What It Means to Succeed" wherever you get your podcasts.   

Join Craig, Aaron, and Ed for the first episode of Quaker Success in which the hosts introduce themselves, describe their journeys since graduating from SHS, share the idea behind the podcast, and preview upcoming episodes.  

Introducing "Quaker Success," a new podcast hosted by Salem High School (Ohio) alumni Craig Berger '02, Aaron Berger '05, and Ed Butch '02 in partnership with the Salem High School Alumni Association, which celebrates and shares the journeys of Salem High School alumni. In each episode, we will catch up with Quaker alumni and discuss their SHS experience, life after graduating from Salem, challenges they have overcome, and their definition of success and whether they believe they have been successful. Each guest in our first season was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" during their senior year by their classmates.