October 17, 2024 — Under the leadership of Dr. Amanda Mitskevich, Wedgewood Middle School is experiencing a cultural transformation, where staff and students are gaining confidence, and a strong sense of community that even the newest students feel a strong sense of belonging. Mitskevich, now in her ninth year at Wedgewood Middle School and first year as principal, is leveraging her skills in special education to close gaps and help Wedgewood reach new heights.
“Wedgewood is unique in that we have a very community-based school,” Mitskevich said. “We only have a few buses compared to other schools, which means most students walk or ride with their families. Families know each other, and our kids are involved in activities outside of school together, which builds a sense of belonging.”
Having previously served eight years as Wedgewood’s assistant principal, Mitskevich brings a unique advantage to her role. Her deep-rooted connections with the students, staff, and community allow her to lead from a place of understanding and trust. Mathematics teacher Susan Barnhouse describes Mitskevich as an advocate for the school who emphasizes unity and support.
“She does things in her own way and is really showing that she is trying to be an advocate for the school,” Barnhouse said. “The fact that she has been with our school for several years gives her the advantage of a relationship with our students, staff, and community that she's able to build on that. A lot of new principals might not have the benefit of that and she has really capitalized on that.”
Originally from Florida, Mitskevich joined Columbus City Schools in 2013 as a special education teacher at Yorktown Middle School. She then entered the Leadership Intern program, spending a year at Hilltonia Middle School before moving to Wedgewood, where she has remained ever since.
“I truly do not believe I would want to be anywhere else in the District,” Mitskevich said. “When students leave here, they feel like they are part of the Wedgewood community. So much of what goes on in our building is out of students wanting to have a sense of involvement, and pride.”
Thanks to Dr. Mitskevich’s leadership, Wedgewood’s inclusive environment has positioned it as a designated shelter site within CCS, where the school’s diverse student body stands out as one of its greatest strengths. Being a shelter site within the District, Wedgewood provides specialized ESL teachers in core subjects for students new to the United States. Currently, Wedgewood has a large Hispanic student body, with many requiring English language support. Mitskevich and her team carefully monitor each student’s progress, balancing language development with academic growth to guide them toward success in general education settings.
Mitskevich’s approach balances guidance with professional freedom, a quality Barnhouse finds empowering. With over three decades of teaching experience, Barnhouse appreciates the respect Mitskevich shows for teachers’ expertise.
“She treats us as professionals who know what we’re doing,” Barnhouse explains. “She allows us the freedom to do what needs to be done for our kids while also making sure we’re aligned with District priorities.”
The shift in professional and student culture has been largely driven by Mitskevich’s revamp of Wedgewood’s master schedule. Previously, daily recess periods led to unstructured time that often resulted in behavioral incidents and challenges with self-regulation. Recess is now held once a week, determined by students' academic performance, making it a more valued and safer experience. This adjustment also gives teachers additional time to concentrate on supporting students' growth areas.
“[Mitskevich] has done an amazing job creating a middle school schedule specifically designed for our students,” said Michelle Nathan, assistant principal at Wedgewood. “We have core enrichment during the first period of every day, where teachers can work on different strategies and interventions with students that they feel are needed. Instead of having 6th, 7th, and 8th graders transition all at once, they're transitioning at different times, going in different directions. It makes our climate and culture in the hallways throughout the building much better.”
With a steady focus on building a supportive community, Mitskevich is empowering students and staff at Wedgewood. Throughout her time at Wedgewood, her commitment to understanding each student's needs, regardless of their situation, stands strong. In addition, Mitskevich’s personalized approach to meeting staff needs has created an environment where growth and belonging are prioritized every day.
Mitskevich’s leadership is paving a path forward, setting Wedgewood on a course for lasting success and creating a place where everyone feels they have a role in achieving it.
