Youngstown superintendent’s podcast produced by students highlights leadership
Youngstown City Schools superintendent Jeremy Batchelor was raised in Youngstown and has spent the past 26 years in education.
As his third school year as superintendent commences, Batchelor shares what it’s like to host his own award-winning video podcast series produced by students.
“I grew up here in Youngstown. I didn’t grow up rich, but I grew up with a great family and support system,” he said. “Now it’s my job to bring that back to as many young people as I can and make the lives of our young people better. My priority, number one, always is scholars.”
The Belly-Left Leadership Podcast is recorded at Choffin Career and Technical Center, edited and directed by high school students in the video production class.
“I want to spotlight how I lead, but I also want to spotlight how others lead and their contribution to our school district in our community,” Batchelor said.
The name for the podcast comes from a football play that requires each team member to have an understanding of their role to accomplish the shared goal.
Batchelor and guests will record in the studio, directed by the students who also add graphics for final videos posted monthly on YouTube.
“They get the credit at the end of it as executive producers, and it gives them real world experience in editing,” he said.
Earlier this year, the National School Public Relations Association honored Batchelor and the students during their annual awards recognition.
“Communication is the food that feeds us all,” he said. “We have fun talking about leadership, the work of the school district and our partners in the community because it’s not just people in the district. We actually talk to people from the community and I’m hoping to get the governor on.”
The podcast started in 2024, and past guests include city of Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, representatives from the NAACP, YMCA and Joseph Napier, who started Juneteenth in Youngstown.
Previously, Batchelor worked as YCSD’s chief of staff and deputy superintendent of teaching, learning, and leadership, as well as the principal of East High School. He was also assistant superintendent of Austintown Local Schools between 2014 and 2018.
“I saw the need for strong leadership and a strategic plan, someone who also knows the community and can navigate,” he said. “When the opportunity came and the board asked, I was definitely open to it and I’ve loved every minute. It’s been a challenge, but I believe that I am here at this time because I’m supposed to be.”
