Laura Keller became a teacher because she was a real believer in education.
She’s no longer in the classroom, but that commitment to the field has led her to a new challenge as
regional coordinator for the federal Race to the Top program.
Keller, of Bowling Green, is the go-to person for 105 schools in 22 counties in the northwest region who
are receiving Race to the Top grants to fund reforms. There are six such coordinators in the state.
The Ohio Department of Education is receiving $400 million in RTTT funds to dole out to districts to
provide better assessment of students, train better teachers, and use data to support instruction. In
Wood County, North Baltimore, Otsego and Perrysburg school districts have applied for the RTTT grant,
according to Keller.
"It’s our responsibility to help them develop their school improvements, help them implement what
they’re talking about doing. …" she explained. "That’s really what we’re charged with doing
over the next four years."
ODE was notified Jan. 28 that the federal education department had released the funds, so money soon will
be flowing to the 487 schools in Ohio that went through the exhaustive application process. Each of
those schools has a transformation team with which the regional coordinators, like Keller, will assist.

"We’re literally building the blocks (for reform) as we move forward. It’s not just about
implementing reform, but developing the tools," explained Joan Nichols, the RTTT communications and
outreach manager in Columbus.
"The regional coordinator brings with them a set of experiences in education that is going to be
instrumental to having the dialogues that’s going to have to keep taking place between the (school
teams)," said Nichols. "Her knowledge base is invaluable," she added about Keller,
calling her "the right person at the right time in the right place."
Keller has more than 35 years of experience in education she can apply in her new job.
She served 4 1/2 years as superintendent in Old Fort before announcing in December her intent to resign
to take this post.
Prior to that, she was with Fremont City Schools, had taught at Vanguard Career Center in Fremont, had
been a principal in Gibsonburg, assistant principal at Oak Harbor, and principal at Springfield High
School in Toledo. The English major had taught for six years, earned a master’s degree and served as a
guidance counselor for 11 years, then earned her principal’s certificate and moved into administration.

For most of that time, she lived in Fremont with her husband, Gary. But in 2000 they built a house in
Bowling Green after he was named an elementary principal for Bowling Green Schools. He is now assistant
principal at the middle school.
As superintendent in Old Fort, in Seneca County, she helped lead the district to an "excellent with
distinction" on the State Report Card. But when Race to the Top funds were offered, the district
passed.
Still, when the opportunity to become a regional coordinator for the program presented itself, Keller
considered it a "great opportunity" and resigned her leadership role in the district effective
Jan. 1.
"My board wasn’t real happy, but they were supportive of it," she stated. "It was just a
very exciting experience for me," she said about her 7 1/2 years in that district (she retired in
2002 but was hired at Old Fort in 2003 as an assistant principal at the high school). "I enjoyed
every bit of it."
With so many years in education, it’s no surprise Keller was drawn to a position that allowed her to
continue working with teachers, but on a much broader scope.
"To me this is another challenge.
"I always wanted to be a teacher," she continued. "When I was in high school I was in
Future Teachers of America. I am a real believe in education, it’s just a basic right that people in
this country should have."
Race to the Top "provides a real opportunity for Ohio schools for ambitious and innovative reform
for our kids."
When she’s not working out of her home office, Keller is active with the Lion’s Club, the Buckeye
Association of School Administrators, the Fremont chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, plus Phi Delta Kappa.

"We don’t let much grass grow under our feet," she joked about her activities.
But as she continues to help teachers and school administrators meet their reform goals, "I find a
new surprise every day," she said. "I think it’s going to be very exciting to watch this
unfold."