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2O2 4 – 2O2 5 GU I D E to Y E L LOW S P R I NG S 23 MIAMI TOWNSHIP Greene County, Ohio G LEN F OREST C EMETERY • N OW O F F E R I N G •  Traditional Burial  Natural Burial  Scattering Garden  Columbariums For more information, visit GlenForestCemetery.com • B U I L D I N G T H E W O R K F O R C E • 937-372-6941 | greeneccc.com | 532 Innovation Way, Xenia Award-winning career/technical programs for high school and adult students. GREENE COUNTY C A R E E R C E N T E R Offering programs in 22 fields Proud Sponsor of the and becoming an educator, is a process. “In many instances, these kids see you more than they see their parents or guardians, so you have to get to know your kids,” Gudgel said. “Of course, you are their teacher, but [the kids] want to see you as a person who cares about them on a personal level, not just as a student in their classroom.” As someone who has been a part of the district and the com- munity for so long, Gudgel says he has an advantage of knowing and being known by many members of the community. “I’m the old guy around here,” he said. “So, it’s heartwarming to me when teachers come to me in the capacity as a former cohort member, as some- one who cares, and asks me questions about how they can better themselves as a teacher.” Along with his affinity for education and learning, Gudgel said teaching afforded him the opportunity to coach cross- country as well as track and field for Yellow Springs. As a former all-American football player and state track cham- pion, Gudgel said he enjoyed playing all sports growing up, including soccer, baseball and swimming. “People who see me wouldn’t know that I’m one of the most competitive people around,” Gudgel said. “But I quickly learned that shifting from competitor to coach was a big, big change.” Despite his fierce com - petitiveness, Gudgel said it has been important for him to put his athletes first. “My attitude has always been that whether [an athlete] is an all-American or can barely make it around the track, I treat them the same,” he said. That approach has resulted in a long line of state cham- pions throughout Gudgel’s tenure as coach. “If they do their best, that’s all I can expect from them,” Gudgel said. “I’ve given you the preparation. I’ve given you the training. Now you have to go out and take everything that I, as a coach, have provided to you and do the best that you can.” It is because of that philoso- phy that Gudgel is revered by both students and staff and why he continues to create a community of teachers, learn- ers and athletes that make up Yellow Springs Schools. BEYOND THE SCHOOLS Outside of the brick and mortar walls of Yellow Springs’ schools, Gudgel has founded and joined organizations that mirror his interests in history and building relationships with people. Starting in the mid- 2000s, Gudgel has worked to preserve the history and legacy of Black people in Yellow Springs as one of the founding members of The 365 Project, a local nonprofit. Gudgel said the impetus of The 365 Project came from a 2008 meeting in First Baptist Church. A core group decided to start The 365 Project and met weekly for some time. “After two or three years of meetings, I was a little frustrated, but around 2011 I began to see a shift, and then Kevin McGruder, who has a love for history and a lot of energy, came on board,” Gudgel said. “We grew in member- ship and the activities we were engaging in began to make a difference.” Today, Gudgel said, The 365 Project is one of the go-to organizations for people who want to learn about Black history in Yellow Springs, or people who are having issues with racism within the village. “I feel like we have made a significant impact,” Gudgel said. “I’m amazed. I’m truly amazed.” Though The 365 Project has made space for Black people and others to learn about the histori- cal impacts of Black Americans and Blacks in Yellow Springs, Gudgel says he is worried about the future of the organization.