Quaker Success Podcast

Quaker Success Podcast A podcast that reconnects with Salem High School (Ohio) alumni in partnership with the Salem High School Alumni Association.

We're back! The second episode in our "Quaker Success Shorts" series tells the story of how Salem's athletic teams came ...
07/20/2026

We're back!

The second episode in our "Quaker Success Shorts" series tells the story of how Salem's athletic teams came to be known as "the Quakers."

https://sites.libsyn.com/555147/quaker-success-shorts-stories-among-friends-the-story-behind-salems-name

Our "Quaker Success Shorts: Stories Among Friends" is a bonus series under the Quaker Success umbrella, offering brief, scripted episodes that shine a light on stories of interest to Salem High School alumni. In these episodes, we explore different lives, events, and phenomena in a format that's a little different from our longer-form interviews, but still rooted in the same spirit of community, curiosity, and Quaker pride.

We'll "see" you in September when we release the first episode of our third season.

Salem High School Alumni Association

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sean Kirkland, Superintendent of Salem City Schools, especially on th...
03/16/2026

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sean Kirkland, Superintendent of Salem City Schools, especially on the heels of another significant loss in our community with the recent passing of former Superintendent Dr. Joseph Shivers. Both men were proud Salem High School alumni whose lives and careers remained closely connected to the community that helped shape them.

Sean was a proud Salem Quaker who cared deeply about this community, the students he served, and the colleagues he worked alongside every day.

Some time ago, we had the privilege of sitting down with Sean for a conversation on Quaker Success. During that discussion, he reflected on growing up in Salem, the challenges his family faced, the mentors who shaped his life, and why he believed so strongly in the power of public education.

In light of today’s news, we wanted to quietly share that conversation again for anyone who might want to hear Sean tell his story in his own words.

Our thoughts are with Sean’s family, the Shivers family, the Salem City School District, and the entire Salem community as it mourns two leaders who cared deeply about the students and future of this town.

https://sites.libsyn.com/555147/season-2-episode-4-sean-kirkland-86

We continue our “Quakers Teaching Quakers” theme as Craig, Aaron, and Ed speak with Matt Mowery from the Class of 2003 i...
03/10/2026

We continue our “Quakers Teaching Quakers” theme as Craig, Aaron, and Ed 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.

Listen here (or wherever you get your podcasts): https://sites.libsyn.com/555147/season-2-episode-6-matt-mowery-03

In our conversation, which was recorded last summer, 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 leadership of the Salem High School 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!

As always, thanks to the Salem High School Alumni Association for its support of Quaker Success!

In our latest episode, Craig, Aaron, and Ed speak with Shelley Miller Wilson from the Class of 1997, whose personal and ...
01/20/2026

In our latest episode, Craig, Aaron, and Ed speak with 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!

As always, thank you to the Salem High School Alumni Association for its support of Quaker Success.

https://sites.libsyn.com/555147/season-2-episode-5-shelley-miller-wilson-97

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