Nancy Reeves

Nancy Reeves

I was transplanted from a small town in Nebraska in 1974. Since then I've graduated from three local post-secondary schools, lived in four local communities (in three counties), worked in three more (in three counties), taught high school (Shaw High School - East Cleveland), and parented a daughter through pretty much the polar opposite school system (Manchester).

I'm a mom, spouse, chief medical researcher and manager for far too many complex family medical matters, and a Quaker.

To make ends meet I've been paid as a teacher (at multiple levels, in multiple subjects, and for multiple institutions), a seamstress, a reporter for the Suburbanite (the public meeting beat for township and school board meetings), an enrolled agent, and an attorney. For non-monetary compensation - but sometimes a lot more real compensation - I am a photographer and digital retouch artist for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep and the local music booster's club, member of the local bike patrol, and caregiver for 0-3 year olds for a week once a year. Just for fun (or perhaps to find a place phones can't follow me), I occasionally go diving.

...and I'll be transparent about more of who I am as it becomes relevant to conversations I'm engaged in.

My Soap Box

OPERS Board makes plans to betray retired workers and their families. Who cares?

I responded to Tonya Brooks: I am sorry you are facing this.  I found myself in a similar situation with STRS a few years...

Tonya Brooks

First of all, I apologize for making my first conversation with Civic Commons about me and my family. I have many interests and I welcome an opportunity to share civil conversations about challenges facing our communities.... Continue reading

Name New State Agency

I responded to Robin Byers: I love the philosophical reason for the change! I do have concerns that the combination will...

Robin Byers

I did rate them although I didn't truly like any of the ones they had chosen.  I created a new suggestion:   Ohio Department FOR Healthy Mind and Body.  Like the FOR instead of OF - as in promoting health.  Thought it... Continue reading

What are the best ways to teach grit?

I responded to Dan Moulthrop: A couple of observations about the video: Yes!  Acknowledgment of what I have been saying from...

Dan Moulthrop

So, how do you teach children to be curious and to acquire grit and determination as a character trait? I suspect this is both a pedagogical question and a parenting question, and as someone with an interest in both... Continue reading

Will school reform and the growing number of high-performing schools make you more likely to stay in (or move to) Cleveland?

I responded to Jill Miller Zimon: Ditto.  Growing up on a farm of a few hundred acres makes me want a bit more elbow room than we...

Jill Miller Zimon

I've never been a real city-dweller and when I was job hunting at the end of college, imagined a life as a school teacher in rural Maine! But I agree with Dan that the viability and success of the city or cities near where... Continue reading

What do you wish the candidates were actually talking about?

I responded to Josh Destardi: Josh, I have now found the comment you must be referring to which Senator Harkin made this...

Josh Destardi

And to that tweet, which by the way originated from a United States Senator (Harkin), I say THIS: For the record, I spent a long several hours in April of 2008 watching the Democratic rules committee consistently coddle... Continue reading

What do you wish the candidates were actually talking about?

I responded to Josh Destardi: Josh, The tweet was a description of Clint Eastwood's performance, and every source I can find...

Josh Destardi

And to that tweet, which by the way originated from a United States Senator (Harkin), I say THIS: For the record, I spent a long several hours in April of 2008 watching the Democratic rules committee consistently coddle... Continue reading

Name New State Agency

I responded to Name New State Agency: I put the "bevahioral" names at the bottom of my list.  If I was looking for mental health...

What do you wish the candidates were actually talking about?

I responded to Dan Moulthrop: A tweet really captured it for me - "@jbouie This is a perfect representation of the campaign: an...

Dan Moulthrop

What do you wish the candidates were actually discussing? I've got a big list, some of which I discussed in this recent column for the Avon Press, and I'll bring my thoughts on this in a little later. Right now, though,... Continue reading

Incivility matters, so let's fix it

I responded to Bill Lyons: Just to close the conversational loop:  Dan Moulthrop (the person who started the conversation -...

Bill Lyons

Dan/Civic Commons Team?

Incivility matters, so let's fix it

I responded to Dave Scott: Yes - we mostly agree.  Discussing motivations among parties engaged in a conversation can be...

Dave Scott

Nancy, I think we are largely in agreement. If I understand you (and correct me if I am wrong) understanding motivation can be important, but there is a fine line toward incivility that must not be crossed. I would add... Continue reading