In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna welcomes Stephen D. Dackin, Director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, for a conversation that dives deep into the evolving role of education in preparing students for life beyond high school.

With over four decades in public education—as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and policymaker—Dackin shares how Ohio is reshaping its entire K–12 ecosystem to meet the urgent demands of today’s economy. From pioneering STEM academies in Reynoldsburg to leading the newly integrated Department of Education and Workforce, Dackin has made a career out of building bridges—between schools and businesses, academics and employability, policy and practice.

This episode explores how Ohio is aligning its education system with workforce realities through community-driven school reform, personalized student pathways, and innovative state-level policy shifts. Dackin breaks down the state’s new governance model, which uniquely merges education and workforce strategy, and discusses why that matters for employers, families, and students alike. Listeners will also hear about Ohio’s innovative graduation pathways, career planning reforms, and a game-changing pilot program that could reimagine the high school experience altogether.

Whether you're a state leader, educator, or community advocate, this episode offers both inspiration and a roadmap for making public education more relevant, responsive, and resilient.

Key Moments

00:00 From Athlete to Educator

03:36 Teacher to Administrator Journey

09:57 Empowering Parental Choice in Education

10:55 "Reynoldsburg Reach Community Engagement"

16:19 Ohio's Business Growth and Workforce Challenge

18:48 Pathways Beyond High School

20:35 Transition Challenges to College Success

25:11 Accountability in Education Readiness Measures

30:28 Ohio Education and Workforce Insights

31:28 "Superman Originated in Cleveland"

35:17 "Community Engagement in School Planning"

38:02 "Children: 100% of Our Future

Connect with Stephen Dackin

Website: https://education.ohio.gov/