Year Started at ESC: 2025
M.A.Ed., Assessment and Evaluation, University of Akron
M.Ed., Workforce Education and Development with Secondary Transition Certificate, Bowling Green State University

Chris Kalina is a Career Technical Planning District (CTPD) Consultant with the State Support Team (SST) Region 3 at the Educational Service Center (ESC) of Northeast Ohio. In this role, he supports school districts by developing and facilitating professional learning opportunities and providing technical assistance aimed at enhancing Career and Technical Education (CTE), particularly for students with disabilities and other diverse learners. His focus areas include transition planning, accessibility and the provision of related services within career technical pathways.

Born and raised in Cuyahoga County, Chris began his professional journey with the Internal Revenue Service in Downtown Cleveland before transitioning to public service as Executive Director of the Medina County Drug Abuse Commission. It was during this time, while overseeing DARE programming in seven school districts, that he discovered a passion for education.

Chris went on to spend nearly 25 years in progressive leadership roles at the Medina County Career Center, where his responsibilities spanned Middle School Career Development, Assessment and Evaluation for students with disabilities, and coordination of enrollment and placement services. He also served as the Associate School Liaison, later retiring as Director of Adult Education, managing all aspects of postsecondary education. Chris’s ‘north star’ is ensuring the right student is in the right program for the right reason.

Chris has presented multiple times at Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education conferences and brings a deep commitment to equitable access in CTE along with a wealth of diverse experience to his work supporting schools across Northeast Ohio.

Chris and his wife reside in Brunswick and are the proud parents of two CTE graduates.