We hope you enjoyed the holiday season and are refreshed as you head back to school this week! Our team has numerous professional development opportunities for you in January and in the months to come.

Make sure to check out the featured professional development highlighted in the stories below and register today! Our website is a great source of information and is available 24/7/365.

Our newsletter each month highlights only a small portion of the professional development opportunities that are waiting for you. To see all the professional development programs, visit our website calendar. From there, you can learn more and register.

Are you seeking an opportunity to learn how to better use Ed Tech Tools to engage students in your classroom? If so, the two-day, Future Foward Digital Learning Conference is for you!

Instructional Technology Coaches from throughout the region will offer a series of engaging workshops designed to positively impact your classroom instruction. It is being held virtually January 20 and February 3.

While each session during the two-day event will be offered as a live, Zoom connection, each session will also be recorded, so you will be available to view it at a time that meets your schedule. The conference is free or participants can choose to earn a graduate credit from Muskingum University for $130. For Muskingum University graduate credit questions, contact Leslie Charles via email or phone 740-452-4518, ext. 1133.

MVESC is hosting its Elementary School Principal Collaborative from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., January 12. The meeting will be held at the MVESC Zanesville office, but a virtual option is also available.

The meeting will be a time of sharing and learning in an open forum format. There is no cost to attend and advanced registration is not required.

A regional collaborative effort, spearheaded by MVESC, is putting driver education back in schools and students on the road. The Muskingum Ohio Valley Educational Service Center (MOV ESC) Driving School is available to students in 14 school districts.

Since the program's launch, eight students have completed the program and earned their certificates ,and another 400 are in the pipeline.

"Helping students earn a driver license eliminates the first obstacle to employment," said Justin Denius, Director of Workforce Development, MVESC. "This program is a huge win for our communities as students and families have a quality, affordable option for driver's education delivered by trusted community and school personnel," he added.

The Driver Education Program is seeking additional instructors. It can be provided during the day, evening, or weekends. MVESC is paying $25 per hour for in-vehicle instruction. For more information, email Justin Denius at justin.denius@mvesc.org or call 740-452-4518.

Our 34th Annual Student & Teacher Recognition Ceremony will be held at 6 p.m., March 8, at Secrest Auditorium in downtown Zanesville. The annual event is attended by hundreds of students, educators, family members and friends, as we celebrate outstanding achievement in our seven-county region.

During the event, one senior from each of our seven counties will be recognized with the Franklin B. Walter Scholarship Award. Other awards presented during the ceremony include: Exemplary Educator, Outstanding Senior and Teacher, and The Susan Writing Award.

The event is free and open to the public. Make plans to join us and celebrate outstanding students and educators in our region.

MVESC is inviting students with special needs and their siblings to our first-ever Respite Night. It will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., March 17, at our Zanesville office.

Parents have the option to drop off their children, while they enjoy a night out or stay and participate in a number of informational sessions. Topics will include behavior, transition, social security, guardianship, and more. Dinner will be provided for both children and parents who attend. There is no cost to participate.

Email Kate Brenner, MVESC Student Services Coordinator, with any questions. Click the link below to register now!