LATEST NEWS

Pike County News Watchman

partner publisher · 1.3K followers

Western Local Schools educator receives two prestigious honors in 2026

LATHAM, OHIO – Western Local Schools is proud to celebrate Jennifer Buckler, K–6 STEAM and Career Development educator, for receiving two distinguished honors recognizing her dedication to innovative education, rural student opportunities, and community-connected learning. Buckler was named 2026 Educator of the Year by Building Bridges to Careers (BB2C), recognizing her commitment to connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences and career pathways for students in rural Appalachian Ohio. As part of the 2026 Community Career Connected Learning Summit: Investing in Our Talent Ecosystem, Buckler also served as a panelist, sharing her experiences and advocating for stronger partnerships between schools, local businesses, industries, and community organizations. During the discussion, Buckler emphasized the importance of introducing rural learners to career possibilities at an early age, particularly in communities where geographic isolation, economic barriers, and limited access to industry experiences can restrict students' exposure to future opportunities. "You don't know what you don't know," Buckler often says. "Our students cannot dream about careers they have never heard of or imagine futures they have never been exposed to. When we bring our community into our classrooms and take learning beyond the school walls, we open doors that many of our students never knew existed."