Centerville names Sarah Jacobs district nominee for Ohio Teacher of the Year; introduces two new elementary principals

Centerville City Schools on Monday named first‑grade teacher Sarah Jacobs as the district’s nominee for the Ohio Teacher of the Year program and formally introduced two newly hired elementary principals.

Sarah Jacobs, a 23‑year classroom teacher at Primary Village North (PVN), was presented as the district nominee for the statewide Ohio Teacher of the Year program, which is administered by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Jacobs said she is “deeply grateful and honored” and credited colleagues, student teachers and families for supporting her work.

Why it matters: The district nominee advances to a state selection panel that will choose one Ohio Teacher of the Year. The recognition highlights long‑term classroom practice and mentorship work at the district level.

Nomination and remarks

Human resources staff presented a short video and written nomination materials at the meeting. Mindy Klein, principal at Primary Village North, praised Jacobs’s work with students who have significant social, emotional and behavioral needs and noted her mentoring of student teachers. The nomination packet notes Jacobs’s 23 years in Centerville classrooms, a Muskingum University undergraduate degree and a master’s in literacy from the University of Dayton.

“I love being able to help the children grow,” Jacobs told the board, citing academic growth as well as gains in students’ confidence and problem‑solving skills.

New administrators

The board also heard formal introductions of two new administrators the district has hired following a competitive process that drew about 48 applicants, staff said.

Christina French, who will become the principal at Primary Village North, previously served in leadership and curriculum roles in other Ohio districts and holds degrees from Bowling Green State University and Xavier University. John (Matt) Sazda will become principal at John Hull Elementary; he has worked in Centerville schools since 2011 and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton and a master’s from the American College of Education.

District staff described the selection process as “vigorous and very comprehensive,” including stakeholder input. Transition plans for both principals are underway and staff said both are already meeting with building teams.

Next steps

Sarah Jacobs’s statewide nomination will be reviewed by the state selection panel; the district will assist her application. The new principals will complete transition activities at their assigned schools in the coming weeks.