Joe Begeny was born in Phoenix, Arizona but was raised throughout the South and Midwest, with stops in Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois, New York, and that state up north, but home has always been central Ohio. While moving was not always easy, Joe made the best of the opportunities to learn from people he met from around the country. This “living education” made him appreciate different points of view and the values we all share. Upon his return to Central Ohio he reconnected with Tori, who would become his wife of almost 20 years as they raise their two children, Jonathan and Alex.
Joe earned his Bachelor of Science in Education and his Master’s Degree in Social Sciences at Ohio University. While pursuing his education full time, Joe worked for United Parcel Service as a Human Resources Specialist for over five years. The experience of working for a Fortune 500 company, learning how to successfully manage hundreds of employees, problem solve at a rapid pace, and improving performance and efficiency were some of the highlights of a great five years.
While Joe appreciated all that UPS had to offer, his heart was focused on helping others, so encouraged by his wife who knew him well, he became a teacher. After graduation, Joe began his teaching career, eventually leading to Beechcroft High School in Columbus City Schools where he has won two Teacher of the Year Awards impacting the lives of over 1,000 students, and they have left their mark on him as well.
While teaching, Joe and his wife Tori, who is also a teacher, began looking for more space to handle their growing family. Joe wanted to make sure his children had a different experience growing up, so he and Tori decided to make their home in Reynoldsburg. For close to 18 years Reynoldsburg has been the home Joe and Tori had always wanted. As the kids grew they joined Cubs Scouts and eventually Boy Scouts, they played soccer, baseball and basketball for Reynoldsburg Parks and Recreation and now they run cross country and swim for the Raiders!
Joe has been a member of the Reynoldsburg City School Board since 2014. In that time Joe stood up for the student’s community members and teachers during the strike of 2014 and cheering when the students returned to the classroom. Joe worked hard to bring the changes needed to Reynoldsburg City Schools, including LBGT protections for staff and students, the return of academic “varsity” letters, increased grade requirements for athletes, and continued fiscal responsibility that has allowed Reynoldsburg to stay off the ballot since 2010. In January of 2016 Joe was elected President of the Board of Education and with other members of the board led the way to many of the improvements you see today, starting with the focus of educating the whole child, including the of reduction in district testing, increased grade requirements for student athletes, increase in the number of elective classes like art, music, and physical education, increase in the overall staffing to deal with increased enrollment and labor peace.
Joe earned his Bachelor of Science in Education and his Master’s Degree in Social Sciences at Ohio University. While pursuing his education full time, Joe worked for United Parcel Service as a Human Resources Specialist for over five years. The experience of working for a Fortune 500 company, learning how to successfully manage hundreds of employees, problem solve at a rapid pace, and improving performance and efficiency were some of the highlights of a great five years.
While Joe appreciated all that UPS had to offer, his heart was focused on helping others, so encouraged by his wife who knew him well, he became a teacher. After graduation, Joe began his teaching career, eventually leading to Beechcroft High School in Columbus City Schools where he has won two Teacher of the Year Awards impacting the lives of over 1,000 students, and they have left their mark on him as well.
While teaching, Joe and his wife Tori, who is also a teacher, began looking for more space to handle their growing family. Joe wanted to make sure his children had a different experience growing up, so he and Tori decided to make their home in Reynoldsburg. For close to 18 years Reynoldsburg has been the home Joe and Tori had always wanted. As the kids grew they joined Cubs Scouts and eventually Boy Scouts, they played soccer, baseball and basketball for Reynoldsburg Parks and Recreation and now they run cross country and swim for the Raiders!
Joe has been a member of the Reynoldsburg City School Board since 2014. In that time Joe stood up for the student’s community members and teachers during the strike of 2014 and cheering when the students returned to the classroom. Joe worked hard to bring the changes needed to Reynoldsburg City Schools, including LBGT protections for staff and students, the return of academic “varsity” letters, increased grade requirements for athletes, and continued fiscal responsibility that has allowed Reynoldsburg to stay off the ballot since 2010. In January of 2016 Joe was elected President of the Board of Education and with other members of the board led the way to many of the improvements you see today, starting with the focus of educating the whole child, including the of reduction in district testing, increased grade requirements for student athletes, increase in the number of elective classes like art, music, and physical education, increase in the overall staffing to deal with increased enrollment and labor peace.
