Dear Members, 

Happy New Year! As we begin a new year of service, support, and collaboration, I'm thrilled to share some exciting developments and opportunities available through ECESC.

Forge Your Future Student Experience

The Forge Your Future student experience continues to gain momentum, fostering vital career exploration opportunities for our middle school students. To date, over 800 students from schools throughout our region have participated in hands-on RIASEC-themed activities at Sunnyside Education Center in New Castle. These experiences have not only sparked students’ curiosity but have also empowered them to explore potential career paths. We already have over 1500 additional students scheduled to participate before the end of the school year. Our team is deeply grateful for your support and looks forward to increasing high-quality career-connected learning opportunities for students across all grade levels in 2025!

Forge Your Future Educator Experience

On that same topic, are you and your colleagues ready for a fun, interactive dive into career-connected learning? The Forge Your Future Educator Experience is the perfect opportunity to explore what career-connected learning can look like in your classroom, your school, and your district. We have two sessions coming up on February 19 and 20. The 19th is designed for K-8 educators, and the 20th is designed for 6-12 educators. Registration links are provided in the PD highlights below. Please plan to join us!

Introducing the INspired Learning Lab!

We're delighted to introduce the INspired Learning Lab, a new virtual professional development initiative designed to inspire educators across our network. The INspired Learning Lab offers weekly virtual learning opportunities covering a wide range of topics focused on the personal and academic growth of your students. These events can be joined live for an interactive experience or accessed on demand after the sessions are recorded. Did I mention that these opportunities are FREE to all ECESC districts and are available to all school staff? We are excited to bring this resource to you and hope you will find value and relevance to your crucial work in our schools! Be sure to review the flyer and additional details below.

Please know that our team is here to provide you with the greatest service, support, and collaboration possible! As we move forward with these projects, I encourage you to actively participate and share your feedback to help us tailor these opportunities to meet your needs and the needs of your colleagues and students!

Pat Haney

Executive Director

College Board Sessions (Jan. 21)

Unlock Your Path: Navigating College and Careers with BigFuture

Whether you are a building administrator or a counselor, Unlock Your Path: Navigating College and Careers with BigFuture is tailored to empower you with essential tools and insights to support your students as they look toward the Monday after graduation. Register Here

Unlocking Data Insights: Maximizing SAT Suite of Assessments

In this session, we will dive into the SAT Suite of Assessments resources and data, uncover best practices for effective coaching and instruction, and explore opportunities for student practice. Educators will leave this session equipped with actionable strategies to enhance student outcomes. Register Here

ILEARN Checkpoint Data Workshop (Jan. 24)

Join us for a data workshop on the ILEARN Through-Year Pilot Checkpoints assessments. Discover how to interpret various data reports from the pilot and learn how to use resources to best meet students' needs. Attendees will be able to review data, discover IDOE resources, and plan next steps for instruction and interventions. Register Here

Unlocking Potential: Automatic + AI-Powered Progress Monitoring in Special Education (Jan. 28)

Move over spreadsheets and post-it notes - there's a new progress monitoring sheriff in town, and this one's all about saving teachers time and increasing outcomes. Join us to learn about newly discovered AI-centric tactics and strategies that will revolutionize the way special education teachers collect and analyze progress monitoring data for their students with IEPs. Register Here

Let's Write By Lead Learners (Jan. 29)

You don’t have to be an English teacher to tap the hidden potential of writing to help students learn and engage in all subject areas. Learn ways to position students to actually write instead of resist so they can deepen their understanding of subject matter. Register Here

Boost Student Success with AI & ILEARN Data (Jan. 29)

Learn from one of the best, Bill Reed, how to combine Generative AI with your ILEARN Checkpoint data to:

✅ Create differentiated, targeted lesson plans

✅ Develop ILEARN-formatted practice questions

✅ Save time with AI-powered tools for student support



Join this one-hour virtual PD from 4:00 pm-5:00 pm and discover how to simplify these tasks while improving student outcomes! Register Here

PAR Training - Lead with Confidence in IEP Development (Jan. 30)

Join Mark Booth for this fantastic learning opportunity to master the case conference process, develop student-centered IEPs, and lead as a problem-solver in special education. Build skills to make a difference! Register Here

Indiana Textbook Caravan Coming Soon 

This year, the Indiana Textbook Association will present its K-5 READING offerings. Check out the two FREE caravan options being offered at this time. 

MUNCIE Caravan (Jan. 30)

The Muncie session will be held at the Horizon Convention Center on Jan.30. There will be an exhibit area, and a schedule of presentations will be posted once it is made available. Muncie Registration

ECESC - New Castle Caravan (Feb.11) 

The ECESC - New Castle session will be held at the Sunnyside Education Center on Feb. 11. There will be an exhibit area, and a schedule of presentations will be posted once it is made available. ECESC Registration

Have a Coach? Now What? (Feb.5) 

Instructional coaching can be powerful, but when we don’t have the time to be thoughtful and intentional, much of its potential remains untapped. Join Lead Learners and ECESC for a professional learning experience designed for instructional coaches and principals to strengthen a coaching culture in your school. Register Here

Increase Reading and Writing in Every Subject (Feb.18) 

Are you looking for ways to increase learning and improve student outcomes? Do you want to learn about ways to help with learning in ALL subjects for ALL students? Register for INcompass Learning’s "Increase Reading and Writing in Every Subject." Register Here

Back By Popular Demand - Forge Your Future Educator Experience Workshops (Feb. 19 & 20)

We are excited to share that we will host TWO more sessions for our Forge Your Future Educator Experience on February 19 (K-8) and 20 (6-12). Visit Sunnyside to explore our RIASEC rooms and learn more about integrating quality career exploration activities with your content. 

K-8 Register Here

6-12 Register Here

The Science Behind Writing Success: Building Effective K-12 Writing Programs (Feb. 20) 

Join area educators and industry experts from Smekens Education and HMH for this exclusive, FREE in-person event designed to empower K-12 school leaders with the knowledge needed to strengthen writing instruction and achievement. This engaging session for instructional leaders will explore how to leverage the science of writing to create a cohesive, research-based writing program that prepares students for success in school and beyond. Register Here

Designing Success for Multilingual Learners (Feb. 26) 

Register for this full-day interactive and engaging workshop to gain knowledge and tools to support multilingual learners effectively. Bonus: Registrants will receive two professional resource books with the cost of their registration. Register Here

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, Grant Coordinator/Instructional Specialist, llovern@eastcentralesc.com
• Lora Wilson, Instructional Program Coordinator, lwilson@eastcentralesc.com
• Paula Fiscus, Secondary Instructional Specialist, pfiscus@eastcentralesc.com
• Tayor Philhower, Instructional Specialist/RIASEC Coordinator, tphilhower@eastcentralesc.com
• Laura Hamm, Regional Career Coach/Associate RIASEC Coordinator, lhamm@eastcentralesc.com
• Liz Ferris, Regional Career Coach, lferris@ecesc.k12.in.us
• Sarah Heppner, Training Support Specialist, sheppner@eastcentralesc.com
• Lori Ward, Training Support Specialist, lward@ecesc.k12.in.us
• Jane Haudek, Regional Training Support Specialist, jhaudek@eastcentralesc.com
• Tara Bohn, Regional Training Support Specialist, tbohn@eastcentralesc.com
• Larry Williams, Technology Coordinator, lwilliams@ecesc.k12.in.us
• Teresa Amick, Treasurer, tamick@ecesc.k12.in.us