During this busy time of celebration, I want to take a moment to thank all of our member districts for your leadership and impact throughout the 2023-2024 school year. It has been our greatest honor to collaborate and learn with you. As the statewide priorities of high-quality work-based learning and strong literacy instruction have been continually elevated, I have seen our districts in East Central Indiana leading this work in innovative and deeply student-centered ways. Please know that we hold your work in the highest regard and will continue to strive to provide the best service, support, and collaboration possible to support your work!

It has been a busy and exciting month at East Central Educational Service Center. In case you missed it, we were awarded the MAPT Transformation Challenge grant, which will provide $100,000 in strategic planning services and implementation support. The announcement was made on Fox 59 a few weeks ago. The video from the announcement is available here. Our work at ECESC stands on the shoulders of the educational leaders throughout our region, and none of this would be possible without you. As we move forward with this strategic planning process, the students and educators of our region will be at the center of our planning and action. We wish each of you and your loved ones a safe and enjoyable summer full of opportunities to relax, reflect, and recharge. The best is yet to come! Have a wonderful summer!

Pat Haney

Executive Director

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

ECESC Hosts 3E Celebration

On May 8, we proudly hosted a 3E celebration to recognize the successful execution of our 3E grant. Participants spent the morning at CSC of Eastern Hancock for student-led tours learning how the district is embracing the 3Es to prepare students for successful futures. In the afternoon, grant partners got their first look at the Sunnyside Education Center and utilized dedicated time to share and collaborate.

Career Exploration Through Virtual Reality

ECESC staff visited Northeastern Wayne Schools to work with middle school students as they participated in career exploration activities with the help of virtual reality. Students experienced immersive tours of local businesses and college campuses, as well as employee interviews across a variety of careers. Look for more information soon about scheduling ECESC’s VR rentals.

SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT

CHE Recognizes Schools - CTE Awards for Excellence

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education recently recognized winners of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Awards for Excellence, highlighting exceptional achievements of CTE students, programs, partners, and counselors around the state who exemplify the ideal qualities and opportunities of Career and Technical Education. Congratulations to Blue River Valley High School for being recognized for Secondary Career Advising and to New Castle Career Center for their student recognition! Read more here.

Wes-Del Continues STEM Day Tradition

Congratulations to Wes-Del Community Schools on a highly successful third annual STEM Day.

Eastern Hancock Schools Receives Indiana's

Excellence in Education Award

Dr. Philhower and Eastern Hancock Schools recently announced they have been awarded Indiana’s Excellence in Education Award from the Indiana Department of Education for their work in student pathways programming. This prestigious award comes with a substantial cash prize—a grant of $250,000. District officials can use this money to continue their work to help kids find the best paths toward graduation. Read more about the award here.

Thought Partner Spotlight

Innovation Educator Fellowship Now Accepting Applications

The STARTedUP Innovation Educator Fellowship is a professional development program designed to empower every educator with the framework and content needed to teach innovation and become hubs of real-world impact and opportunity by challenging their students to solve problems in their communities. The Fellowship connects teachers with year-round support from like-minded peers, exclusive networking opportunities, and all of the tools and resources needed to allow students to find passion and purpose by doing meaningful, real-world work in the classroom. Limited spots are available for the 2024 school year. Applications are due Friday, May 31. Learn more here.

Contact fellowship@startedupfoundation.org with questions.

Upcoming Events

Summer of Learning Conferences

Now is the time to register for summer learning opportunities across east central Indiana. Mark your calendar for our Summer of Learning opportunities in east central Indiana.

PIVOT - Learning with FRIENDS at Pendleton Heights High School - June 5, 2024. Register here!

Tech EnRiched Summer of Learning at Richmond - June 13, 2024. Register here!

Joy Jam at CSC of Eastern Hancock - July 15 & 16, 2024. Register here!

MidCon: Meeting the needs of middle school educators

Middle School is in the spotlight at MidCon! Join other middle school educators from across Indiana and beyond on June 26 & 27 at Westfield Middle School. This middle school focused conference is presented in collaboration with the Indiana Middle Level Educator Association and Keep Indiana Learning! Keynote speakers Rick Wormeli and Jennifer Gonzalez (Cult of Pedagogy) will lead the outstanding list of presenters across strands for math, literacy, leadership, and more!

And, as an ESC member, you can enjoy special pricing! Use ESCMidCon for 35 percent off the registration price before May 24. Reach out to Elizabeth Johnson (ejohnson@ciesc.org) for bulk registration or PO/Invoice information.

Learn More & Register

OUR TEAM

Need support? Our ECESC team is ready to support you!

Pat Haney, Executive Director, phaney@eastcentralesc.com

Jo Ann McCowan, Instructional Specialist, jmccowan@ecesc.k12.in.us

Lindsey Lovern, Instructional Specialist, llovern@ecesc.k12.in.us

Sarah Heppner, Training Support Specialist, sheppner@eastcentralesc.com

Lori Ward, Training Support Specialist, lward@ecesc.k12.in.us

Lora Wilson, Training Support Specialist, lwilson@eastcentralesc.com

Larry Williams, Technology Coordinator, lwilliams@ecesc.k12.in.us

Teresa Amick, Treasurer, tamick@ecesc.k12.in.us

Want to join the ECESC team? We are hiring! Please share this link with exceptional educators who may be interested!