The Midview Local School District is proud to welcome Bethany DiFranco as the newest North Elementary Principal and Deanna Hersko as the Director of Career Technical Education and Work-Based Learning. Their appointments were confirmed at the February Board of Education meeting.
DiFranco will succeed Sharon Novak, who stepped in as Interim North Elementary Principal following Jennifer Gates’ absence due to an accident this past summer. Novak will retire following the conclusion of the school year, while Gates will fulfill Novak’s previous role as Coordinator of Student Support Services.
A proud Midview alumna, DiFranco earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Defiance College, as well as a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on literacy and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education.
“I am most excited about the opportunity to collaborate with teachers and staff to create an environment where young learners feel safe, valued, and excited to learn,” said DiFranco. “The early years of a child’s education are essential for academic success, as well as social and emotional development. I am motivated by the impact that a positive environment can have on both students and educators.”
DiFranco currently serves as a Student and Family Liaison for Midview East Intermediate and Director of Little Middies Preschool. She previously held positions as a Student and Family Liaison for Midview North Elementary, a second-grade teacher at Midview North Elementary, and a first-grade teacher at the Cleveland Arts & Social Sciences Academy.
DiFranco has a passion for early childhood education, supporting educators, and the Midview community. She is most looking forward to providing valuable learning opportunities similar to those that were provided to her by outstanding Midview educators.
Hersko’s newly established position as Director of Career Technical Education and Work-Based Learning, made possible through funding from the Perkins grant, reflects Midview’s commitment to expanding career-readiness opportunities for students. Her primary responsibilities will include:
Overseeing the district's eight career pathway programs while continuing to expand career-technical education offerings and work-based learning opportunities.
Partnering with local businesses, industries, and community organizations to develop internships, apprenticeships, and cooperative education programs.
Supporting students in achieving career-readiness milestones and securing post-secondary opportunities.
Ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal CTE regulations.
Securing grants to further support CTE programs and work-based learning initiatives.
Additionally, Hersko will oversee the revival of the district’s Career-Based Intervention (CBI) program, which supports students identified as academically or economically disadvantaged, or those with disabilities. The program is designed to help students improve academic competence, graduate from high school, develop employability skills, and secure career pathway experiences leading to postsecondary education or careers.
“The opportunity to create and expand programs like CTE and CBI, which integrate real-world learning, industry connections, and work-ready skills, is both inspiring and deeply meaningful to me. As a first-generation college graduate, I attribute much of my success to the career-connected learning and job placement opportunities I had in high school,” said Hersko. “Over the years, I’ve witnessed Midview’s commitment to developing innovative programs that prioritize academic excellence and career readiness. I’m honored to contribute to their efforts by creating hands-on learning experiences that empower students to reach their personal and professional goals while acquiring industry-aligned technical skills. I look forward to collaborating with the dedicated team at Midview, along with local industry, community, and post-secondary partners, to bridge the gap between education and the workforce.”
Hersko holds an Associate of Applied Business from the University of Akron Wayne College, a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management from Malone University, and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Akron.
With more than 20 years of experience in student affairs, Hersko specializes in developing and expanding career-technical education pathways that lead to enrollment, employment, and enlistment. She currently serves as Career Technical Education & Work-Based Learning Coordinator for the Lorain City Schools. Her past roles include K12 CTE Pathways & Programs Manager and Tech Prep & FlexFactor Regional Coordinator at Lorain County Community College. Additionally, she has held positions in residence life and housing at John Carroll University and the University of Akron, as well as serving as a College Transition Coordinator for Tech Prep at North Central State College. She has also taught first-year college transition courses as an adjunct instructor.
Hersko has received numerous accolades for her dedication to expanding access to CTE programs, strengthening workforce pipelines, and preparing students for success in both higher education and the workforce. Her leadership and expertise have already played a vital role in shaping Midview’s CTE programming, as she was instrumental in developing the district’s current career pathways during her time at LCCC.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bethany DiFranco and Deanna Hersko into these critical leadership roles within Midview Local Schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Frank Major. “Appointing Bethany DiFranco as Principal of North Elementary School was an easy decision. As a Midview alumna and dedicated educator in our district for over a decade, Bethany’s leadership, passion, and understanding of our community make her the perfect fit for this role. She has built strong relationships with students, staff, and families, and her experience in both teaching and administration uniquely positions her to guide North Elementary into the future. We are excited to see her shine as she leads our youngest Middies with innovation and heart.
Likewise, Deanna’s extensive experience in Career Technical Education and her deep-rooted connections with Midview will be instrumental in expanding opportunities for our students. Her leadership will align and enhance our career pathways, securing internships, job placements, and funding to modernize our CTE labs. This is a game-changer for Midview as we strive to ensure our students graduate with real-world skills and career readiness.”
DiFranco will begin the transition into her role toward the conclusion of the school year. Hersko will officially begin in her role on August 1, 2025.