August 12, 2023 • 11 mins
Michael Browning, Shelby City Schools Superintendent, was officially hired on August 1st by the district. Michael was born in Toledo and attended Whitmer high school before going to Ohio State. Browning spent time teaching and in administration in the Columbus area. He is married with kids and shares about his family and how excited he is to be in Shelby.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
The CEO you should know, broughtto you by Robie Foster Miller Eric Insurance.
This week's CEO sallby Superintendent Michael Browning. Today we're gonna shine the spotlight
on the Shelby City Schools as wehave joining us in studio. Their new
(00:20):
superintendent, Michael Browning is joining us. Good morning, Good morning, how
are you? I am terrific.First of all, congratulations on the job.
Thank you so much. Appreciate that. Yeah, I know you're excited
with the smile on your foe.Very excited. This is a huge opportunity
for me and my family, andI'm just happy to be here. Well,
let's begin and learn a bit aboutyou as you I boat leave.
(00:44):
Well probably would have been August one, the first day of officially officially August
one, was it. So wetook our Edmund team up to a retreat
up in Toledo learn a little bitabout leadership. So it's really good to
learn about the Edmund team and howwe're going to move the district forward.
Well, let's learn about you.Could you know, you know, brand
new superintendent and Shelby. But butI know I have a background in education
(01:07):
here, so let's talk about aprevious work. Sure, So started out
as a fourth grade intervention teacher twentysome years ago, did that for one
year because I was actually a historymajor at Ohio State, got my teaching
license and so one year as anintervention specialist. Then started teaching high school.
Moved to the middle school before Igot an assistant principal's job. I
(01:30):
did that for two and a halfyears. It was a principal for five
years, and now here I amit Shelby. Now have you worked for
just one district, multiple schools?So I did all my teaching at at
Hamilton Local, which is Hamilton Township, south side of Columbus, and then
my administrative experience has been at LondonHigh School. All right, just taking
over as the new superintendent again ofthe Shelby City schools. You're hearing the
(01:53):
voice this morning of Michael Browning againShelby's new superintendent. So I know,
just on the job learning you knowabout the district. But could we start
roughly how many students you knows we'regetting real close to head back to school.
How many expected? So expecting anywherefrom nineteen hundred to about nineteen hundred
and fifty. So still under twothousand, but a really good school school
(02:15):
size. Well, how many teachersare you expecting in the district this year?
Roughly one hundred forty one hundred,forty, one hundred and fifty.
I don't know the exact number,but it's right around there. So a
lot of educational aids that are comingin that as well. And then when
you throw away in cafeteria workers,bus drivers, everybody who makes it go,
(02:35):
how many we talk, Yeah,don't forget about those bus drivers and
cafeteria workers because they they're really thefirst people that in the district every single
day. So probably around two hundredand forty of those employees, you know,
if you count those in teachers.It's funny. I've talked with so
many superintendents. I've talked with peoplewho, you know, run businesses.
Superintendent, I mean, it's youknow, school, it's it's you're you're
(02:57):
running a big business. There's alot of people, right, There's a
lot of people. There's a lotof moving parts all the time. I'm
really quickly understanding that your time andyou were just pulled in so many different
directions, which is not a badthing. It keeps you busy. It
keeps you thinking about where you canbe and where where you're needed most.
But at that time management peace willcertainly be something that that will be learned
(03:20):
quickly. What drew you to Shelby? You know, there could have been
a lot of jobs across the statethat we're open. What drew you to
come here? So when I startedlooking even at the possibility of becoming a
superintendent, I was really happy beinga high school principal. But I started
looking at wanting to become a superintendent, and I saw the posting for Shelby,
And when I started doing a littlebit of research, I realized,
why, we have new buildings,we have a new facility, new football
(03:43):
stadium, all these great things,and financially the district's doing well. That
would be a really good place,especially for your first superintendency. And uh,
you know, I took that chanceand and got the job and had
to move, so I moved tothe family. So all of that is
good, But the city it's drewme to what is now? This this
great opportunity? All right? Hearingthe voice this morning of Michael Browning,
(04:06):
this week's CEO, you should knowhe is the new superintendent of the Shelby
City Schools. Well, let's stepaway from more and find out a bit
more about you. We found out, you know, where you've worked and
things like that. But let's goback to the beginning. If you would
tell us where was Michael Browning born? So? I was born in Toledo.
So I went to Witmer High School, so a really big school.
(04:28):
So that's graduated nineteen ninety two,So a few years ago, that's where
I started, uh, and thenmoved to Columbus, went to Ohio State,
got my degree in history, andthen decided I wanted to become a
teacher. So I went back,got a master's degree in education, got
another's master's degree in administration a littlebit later on, and then I got
(04:50):
my superintendent's license. And here weare now. Was growing up you said,
born in Tlato and all that.What was the aspiration always wanting to
be a teacher? You're going toeducation or where there other things? What
kind of dread on this? Iactually I went into college wanting to be
a sports journalist, so it wasa totally different thing. One day I
was helping my my little brother,I think he was in sixth grade at
(05:13):
the time. Do some do somehomework and he couldn't understand the assignment.
He wasn't getting it, wasn't intingit. And I got to the point
where I was about ready to quit, and all of a sudden, right
at that moment, it clicked forhim. And when it clicked and I
understood what that felt like, Irealized, that's what I want to do
with the rest of my life.So at that point in time, I
decided I was going to switch majorsand become become a teacher. Great story,
(05:35):
it's amazing where you know you're growingup, you think I want to
do this, and then something happened, something goes on, and it changed
just like that, just like that. So you know, I really wanted
to be the next Mitch album whenI was when I was in high school.
But h but certainly, uh,you know when when that happened and
I realized that feeling and that Iwanted that every single day. Now,
(05:56):
certainly you don't get that every singleday as a teacher or in education,
but you know when you do getthose those days or those moments where you
feel like you're making a difference,it's huge and you realize the impact you
have on students lives a terrific storythis morning. Michael Browning, this week's
CEO, you should know, superintendentof the Shelby City Schools, our guests
today. All right, so whilewe're on the topic of you, I
(06:18):
think you and I were talking beforewe started. I don't know if you're
married, kids, anything like that, but if you what tell us a
bit more about the family. Yeah. Absolutely, married to Lauren. So
we've been married seven years now.We have a child who's five, ready
to go to kindergarten, very veryexcited about going to Shelby. Her most
excited moment was when she found outthe classroom led straight out into the playground.
(06:42):
So she was really happy to hearthat. And from a previous marriage,
I have a sixteen year old daughter, Maya, So she goes to
Delaware City Schools. So's she's ajunior. So she's in band camp right
now. So she's getting ready forfootball season two. Yeah, I know,
school year quickly approaching. Shelby officiallygoes back when August twenty second.
Okay, so that's getting here realrest. Yeah, Yls, you'll have
(07:06):
a football game and before you actuallyget everybody back inside of the buildings.
But I want to bring uh,I guess before I get back to Shelby
overall, while we're talking about you, I know, married kids work super
busy schedule. But when you getspare timing, you have time for a
few you know, you know,I guess things you like to do.
(07:27):
Do you have any hobbies? SoI, even though I'm old, I
still play baseball. Hardwall is isreal fun for me. So I still
go out and play baseball, loveto play golf. But a lot of
the time is spent spent around thehouse. We have a new house obviously
moving to Shelby, so that thatis uh, you know, trying to
figure out the yard work and thethings things to do around the house and
getting everything set for the family.That's taken up a lot of the spare
(07:51):
time right now. All right,well, let's get back to the district
for just a couple more questions beforewe let him go. Michael Browning and
Studio this week's CEO. You shouldknow, superintendent of the Shelby City Schools.
So you have to be excited becauseyou mentioned it earlier. The new
K through eight building open and wetalked football, and I think you told
me tennis courts resurface there. There'sjust a lot of positive good things happening
(08:15):
in the Shelby schools. Yeah,I think that's you know, getting that's
one of the things that drew meto that these new buildings. High School
at ten years old is the oldestof the buildings. You've got the K
through eight building that certainly we're startingthe school year this year with the students
going into that building, and theystarted last year about quarter of the way
through the year. So opening thatbuilding up and students being able to come
(08:37):
to school on day one and thatin that building is going to be huge
for the district. And then youknow, you know, they played football
in the new football stadium last year, and the tennis courts are right there,
and the locker rooms and everything isjust brand new, resurfaced some of
the parking lots and put a newsidewalk in leading up to the stadium.
So all these things I think aregreat things for the district and it's going
(08:58):
to be really pactful for the communitygoing to games and events here in Shelby.
Yeah, you mentioned the new footballstadium that opened last year. I
think it was like week three orsomething. Like that, but not everything
was done with concessions in locker rooms. But that's all done. So I'm
sure people cannot wait for that Weektwo game when you guys have your first
home game. Yeah, I'm reallyreally excited about opening the first home games
(09:22):
so that people can see the completionof all these projects and everything that went
into it. You know, obviously, you know, people before me have
put in a lot of time andefforts to make sure all this is,
this is ready for our students,and I think the experiences our students are
going to be able to have willimpact not only them now, but certainly
the future Shelby Whippets. As Ilet you go two quick questions surrounding Shelby
(09:43):
as you're new to town, I'msure. I'm sure you've been told.
And I have some family members thatare from Shelby off covered football there for
a long time. Football is veryimportant, and Shelby football is important Shelby.
And the good thing is I lovefootball. So I didn't play myself
in high school, but I lovefootball, love going to games. I'll
be pacing the sidelines, I'm sure, nervously watching every play and sharing in
(10:07):
the excitement when when we do greatthings. And the last thing surrounding Shelby
has mentioned, you know, you'renew to town, very tight knit community.
People help one another, support oneanother. You've probably learned that and
heard that a lot, I'm sureearly on here. So even though August
first was the first official day forme, I've been coming into the office
(10:28):
even before I moved into the city. But I've been coming into the office
for the last five weeks or so, and what really has inspired me is
the fact that everybody who has reachedout or said hello. Obviously I don't
know everybody, but they've come upand welcomed me with open arms and made
me feel welcomed in the community.Terrific to hear. Last thing, Michael
(10:48):
Browning, new Superintendent Shelby. Ifsomebody wants more information, they have a
question they want you know, I'msure you guys have calendar of events,
all of that. I'm assuming theschool website would probably be the place to
go if they want more info.Absolutely, Shelby Kate twelve dot org.
That's the place to go to findout more about the district. All right,
Michael Browning, this week's CEO.You should know new superintendent of the
(11:13):
Shelby City Schools. Well, congratulationson the job, welcome to town,
thanks for joining us you and wewish you continued success. Michael Browning,
Superintendent of the Shelby City Schools.Thus CEO you should know rita bio.
See a photo and hear the extendedinterview at WMAANFM dot com. Leading means
(11:35):
having a vision and sharing it withothers. I'm John Roby of r F
and ME Insurance. We're excited tobring you this program featuring CEOs from our
area who will share the thoughts andwhat it means to work and live in
north central Ohio.
The CEO you should know, broughtto you by Robie Foster Miller Eric Insurance.
This week's CEO sallby Superintendent Michael Browning. Today we're gonna shine the spotlight
on the Shelby City Schools as wehave joining us in studio. Their new
(00:20):
superintendent, Michael Browning is joining us. Good morning, Good morning, how
are you? I am terrific.First of all, congratulations on the job.
Thank you so much. Appreciate that. Yeah, I know you're excited
with the smile on your foe.Very excited. This is a huge opportunity
for me and my family, andI'm just happy to be here. Well,
let's begin and learn a bit aboutyou as you I boat leave.
(00:44):
Well probably would have been August one, the first day of officially officially August
one, was it. So wetook our Edmund team up to a retreat
up in Toledo learn a little bitabout leadership. So it's really good to
learn about the Edmund team and howwe're going to move the district forward.
Well, let's learn about you.Could you know, you know, brand
new superintendent and Shelby. But butI know I have a background in education
(01:07):
here, so let's talk about aprevious work. Sure, So started out
as a fourth grade intervention teacher twentysome years ago, did that for one
year because I was actually a historymajor at Ohio State, got my teaching
license and so one year as anintervention specialist. Then started teaching high school.
Moved to the middle school before Igot an assistant principal's job. I
(01:30):
did that for two and a halfyears. It was a principal for five
years, and now here I amit Shelby. Now have you worked for
just one district, multiple schools?So I did all my teaching at at
Hamilton Local, which is Hamilton Township, south side of Columbus, and then
my administrative experience has been at LondonHigh School. All right, just taking
over as the new superintendent again ofthe Shelby City schools. You're hearing the
(01:53):
voice this morning of Michael Browning againShelby's new superintendent. So I know,
just on the job learning you knowabout the district. But could we start
roughly how many students you knows we'regetting real close to head back to school.
How many expected? So expecting anywherefrom nineteen hundred to about nineteen hundred
and fifty. So still under twothousand, but a really good school school
(02:15):
size. Well, how many teachersare you expecting in the district this year?
Roughly one hundred forty one hundred,forty, one hundred and fifty.
I don't know the exact number,but it's right around there. So a
lot of educational aids that are comingin that as well. And then when
you throw away in cafeteria workers,bus drivers, everybody who makes it go,
(02:35):
how many we talk, Yeah,don't forget about those bus drivers and
cafeteria workers because they they're really thefirst people that in the district every single
day. So probably around two hundredand forty of those employees, you know,
if you count those in teachers.It's funny. I've talked with so
many superintendents. I've talked with peoplewho, you know, run businesses.
Superintendent, I mean, it's youknow, school, it's it's you're you're
(02:57):
running a big business. There's alot of people, right, There's a
lot of people. There's a lotof moving parts all the time. I'm
really quickly understanding that your time andyou were just pulled in so many different
directions, which is not a badthing. It keeps you busy. It
keeps you thinking about where you canbe and where where you're needed most.
But at that time management peace willcertainly be something that that will be learned
(03:20):
quickly. What drew you to Shelby? You know, there could have been
a lot of jobs across the statethat we're open. What drew you to
come here? So when I startedlooking even at the possibility of becoming a
superintendent, I was really happy beinga high school principal. But I started
looking at wanting to become a superintendent, and I saw the posting for Shelby,
And when I started doing a littlebit of research, I realized,
why, we have new buildings,we have a new facility, new football
(03:43):
stadium, all these great things,and financially the district's doing well. That
would be a really good place,especially for your first superintendency. And uh,
you know, I took that chanceand and got the job and had
to move, so I moved tothe family. So all of that is
good, But the city it's drewme to what is now? This this
great opportunity? All right? Hearingthe voice this morning of Michael Browning,
(04:06):
this week's CEO, you should knowhe is the new superintendent of the Shelby
City Schools. Well, let's stepaway from more and find out a bit
more about you. We found out, you know, where you've worked and
things like that. But let's goback to the beginning. If you would
tell us where was Michael Browning born? So? I was born in Toledo.
So I went to Witmer High School, so a really big school.
(04:28):
So that's graduated nineteen ninety two,So a few years ago, that's where
I started, uh, and thenmoved to Columbus, went to Ohio State,
got my degree in history, andthen decided I wanted to become a
teacher. So I went back,got a master's degree in education, got
another's master's degree in administration a littlebit later on, and then I got
(04:50):
my superintendent's license. And here weare now. Was growing up you said,
born in Tlato and all that.What was the aspiration always wanting to
be a teacher? You're going toeducation or where there other things? What
kind of dread on this? Iactually I went into college wanting to be
a sports journalist, so it wasa totally different thing. One day I
was helping my my little brother,I think he was in sixth grade at
(05:13):
the time. Do some do somehomework and he couldn't understand the assignment.
He wasn't getting it, wasn't intingit. And I got to the point
where I was about ready to quit, and all of a sudden, right
at that moment, it clicked forhim. And when it clicked and I
understood what that felt like, Irealized, that's what I want to do
with the rest of my life.So at that point in time, I
decided I was going to switch majorsand become become a teacher. Great story,
(05:35):
it's amazing where you know you're growingup, you think I want to
do this, and then something happened, something goes on, and it changed
just like that, just like that. So you know, I really wanted
to be the next Mitch album whenI was when I was in high school.
But h but certainly, uh,you know when when that happened and
I realized that feeling and that Iwanted that every single day. Now,
(05:56):
certainly you don't get that every singleday as a teacher or in education,
but you know when you do getthose those days or those moments where you
feel like you're making a difference,it's huge and you realize the impact you
have on students lives a terrific storythis morning. Michael Browning, this week's
CEO, you should know, superintendentof the Shelby City Schools, our guests
today. All right, so whilewe're on the topic of you, I
(06:18):
think you and I were talking beforewe started. I don't know if you're
married, kids, anything like that, but if you what tell us a
bit more about the family. Yeah. Absolutely, married to Lauren. So
we've been married seven years now.We have a child who's five, ready
to go to kindergarten, very veryexcited about going to Shelby. Her most
excited moment was when she found outthe classroom led straight out into the playground.
(06:42):
So she was really happy to hearthat. And from a previous marriage,
I have a sixteen year old daughter, Maya, So she goes to
Delaware City Schools. So's she's ajunior. So she's in band camp right
now. So she's getting ready forfootball season two. Yeah, I know,
school year quickly approaching. Shelby officiallygoes back when August twenty second.
Okay, so that's getting here realrest. Yeah, Yls, you'll have
(07:06):
a football game and before you actuallyget everybody back inside of the buildings.
But I want to bring uh,I guess before I get back to Shelby
overall, while we're talking about you, I know, married kids work super
busy schedule. But when you getspare timing, you have time for a
few you know, you know,I guess things you like to do.
(07:27):
Do you have any hobbies? SoI, even though I'm old, I
still play baseball. Hardwall is isreal fun for me. So I still
go out and play baseball, loveto play golf. But a lot of
the time is spent spent around thehouse. We have a new house obviously
moving to Shelby, so that thatis uh, you know, trying to
figure out the yard work and thethings things to do around the house and
getting everything set for the family.That's taken up a lot of the spare
(07:51):
time right now. All right,well, let's get back to the district
for just a couple more questions beforewe let him go. Michael Browning and
Studio this week's CEO. You shouldknow, superintendent of the Shelby City Schools.
So you have to be excited becauseyou mentioned it earlier. The new
K through eight building open and wetalked football, and I think you told
me tennis courts resurface there. There'sjust a lot of positive good things happening
(08:15):
in the Shelby schools. Yeah,I think that's you know, getting that's
one of the things that drew meto that these new buildings. High School
at ten years old is the oldestof the buildings. You've got the K
through eight building that certainly we're startingthe school year this year with the students
going into that building, and theystarted last year about quarter of the way
through the year. So opening thatbuilding up and students being able to come
(08:37):
to school on day one and thatin that building is going to be huge
for the district. And then youknow, you know, they played football
in the new football stadium last year, and the tennis courts are right there,
and the locker rooms and everything isjust brand new, resurfaced some of
the parking lots and put a newsidewalk in leading up to the stadium.
So all these things I think aregreat things for the district and it's going
(08:58):
to be really pactful for the communitygoing to games and events here in Shelby.
Yeah, you mentioned the new footballstadium that opened last year. I
think it was like week three orsomething. Like that, but not everything
was done with concessions in locker rooms. But that's all done. So I'm
sure people cannot wait for that Weektwo game when you guys have your first
home game. Yeah, I'm reallyreally excited about opening the first home games
(09:22):
so that people can see the completionof all these projects and everything that went
into it. You know, obviously, you know, people before me have
put in a lot of time andefforts to make sure all this is,
this is ready for our students,and I think the experiences our students are
going to be able to have willimpact not only them now, but certainly
the future Shelby Whippets. As Ilet you go two quick questions surrounding Shelby
(09:43):
as you're new to town, I'msure. I'm sure you've been told.
And I have some family members thatare from Shelby off covered football there for
a long time. Football is veryimportant, and Shelby football is important Shelby.
And the good thing is I lovefootball. So I didn't play myself
in high school, but I lovefootball, love going to games. I'll
be pacing the sidelines, I'm sure, nervously watching every play and sharing in
(10:07):
the excitement when when we do greatthings. And the last thing surrounding Shelby
has mentioned, you know, you'renew to town, very tight knit community.
People help one another, support oneanother. You've probably learned that and
heard that a lot, I'm sureearly on here. So even though August
first was the first official day forme, I've been coming into the office
(10:28):
even before I moved into the city. But I've been coming into the office
for the last five weeks or so, and what really has inspired me is
the fact that everybody who has reachedout or said hello. Obviously I don't
know everybody, but they've come upand welcomed me with open arms and made
me feel welcomed in the community.Terrific to hear. Last thing, Michael
(10:48):
Browning, new Superintendent Shelby. Ifsomebody wants more information, they have a
question they want you know, I'msure you guys have calendar of events,
all of that. I'm assuming theschool website would probably be the place to
go if they want more info.Absolutely, Shelby Kate twelve dot org.
That's the place to go to findout more about the district. All right,
Michael Browning, this week's CEO.You should know new superintendent of the
(11:13):
Shelby City Schools. Well, congratulationson the job, welcome to town,
thanks for joining us you and wewish you continued success. Michael Browning,
Superintendent of the Shelby City Schools.Thus CEO you should know rita bio.
See a photo and hear the extendedinterview at WMAANFM dot com. Leading means
(11:35):
having a vision and sharing it withothers. I'm John Roby of r F
and ME Insurance. We're excited tobring you this program featuring CEOs from our
area who will share the thoughts andwhat it means to work and live in
north central Ohio.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.