Free Virtual Orientation for Parents & Students (8/15/25)

Jefferson County ESC

Virtual Learning Academy

Is your student using the Virtual Learning Academy this upcoming school year?

The JCESC Virtual Learning Academy is hosting a FREE virtual orientation for parents and students!

Join our live orientation to learn more about:

- How the platform works

- How to support your child

- What to expect

** This session is open to all families using VLA. Don't miss it! **

- August 29th, 2025

- 9:00 am (Eastern time)

- Zoom

Zoom link to join: https://jcesc-org.zoom.us/j/8827779722?omn=89219683805

In case you missed it!

Below are links to view previous webinars:

December, "Current Events": https://edpuzzle.com/media/6769a7e1c67105b88e3b7cfd

January, "Conservation Science": https://edpuzzle.com/media/6793d7543faeb7b5954a4b4a

February, "VLA Review of OETC '25": https://edpuzzle.com/media/67c1f48417e65ab15aa932b6

March, "What is VLA?": https://edpuzzle.com/media/67e6f330c454d1e13e26b2fe

April, "VLA in Full Bloom": https://edpuzzle.com/media/680bb04afbad2de94d4871c4

Abbreviation Legend Key (8/8/25)

Jefferson County ESC

Virtual Learning Academy

Did you know the JCESC Virtual Learning Academy offers an Abbreviation Legend Key?

The abbreviation legend in our catalog shows how VLA courses are:

- Abbreviated

- Credited

- Sectioned

To access our Abbreviation Legend key, visit page 8 of the VLA course catalog!

For more information, visit our website:

https://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/VLA.aspx

Click the video below to learn more!

In case you missed it!

Below are links to view previous webinars:

December, "Current Events": https://edpuzzle.com/media/6769a7e1c67105b88e3b7cfd

January, "Conservation Science": https://edpuzzle.com/media/6793d7543faeb7b5954a4b4a

February, "VLA Review of OETC '25": https://edpuzzle.com/media/67c1f48417e65ab15aa932b6

March, "What is VLA?": https://edpuzzle.com/media/67e6f330c454d1e13e26b2fe

April, "VLA in Full Bloom": https://edpuzzle.com/media/680bb04afbad2de94d4871c4

EdConnection: Student Fitness Challenge, STEM Grant Applications Open, and More!

July 29, 2025

Students invited to join Ohio Lt. Governor Tressel for statewide fitness challenge Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel is inviting schools to join a new, statewide fitness challenge for students in grades 4-8. This challenge aims to promote student wellness, increase energy levels, and foster a stronger sense of community. School principals must register their schools by Aug. 7. Register now

Applications open for Ohio STEM Learning Network Classroom Grant Program With funding from Battelle, the Ohio STEM Learning Network Classroom Grant Program is now accepting applications for a new round of grants, which could provide up to $5,000. Learn more Excellence in Business Advisory Councils awarded and recognized The Business Advisory Council (BAC) Townhall took place July 21, presenting awards for BAC excellence in a collaboration between the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and the Ohio ACTE 2025 All Ohio Conference. View awardees

Upcoming open office hours for school improvement grants To help grantees maximize the impact of their school improvement grants, team members from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will answer questions at a virtual open office hours session on Aug. 21. Attend webinar Explore and discover at the Ohio State Fair With the Ohio State Fair now open, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is excited to meet attendees from all over the state. Visit the Department’s booth to discover the notable Ohioans who contributed to America’s history. Get State Fair details

New Rules for Public Comment The Department regularly posts rules for public comment. Recently, the Department posted draft rules regarding the approval of nonpublic schools, which will remain posted through Aug. 13. Find rules and related public comment deadlines on the Department’s website. Check back often as additional rules may be added throughout the week.

Dates and Deadlines Approaching deadlines or important dates mentioned in earlier editions of EdConnection. JULY 7/31: Attend “Laying the Groundwork - Building Effective Data Teams” Ohio School Report Card training (date option #1) AUGUST 8/1-8/14: Ohio Sales Tax Holiday 8/1: Adopt online day plan for academic school year 8/1: Submit membership applications for Ohio Gifted Advisory Council 8/3: Complete the OhioMeansJobs K-12 Survey 8/5: Ohio English Language Proficiency Screener (OELPS) test window opens 8/8: Annual restraint and seclusion data collection window closes 8/8: Attend “Laying the Groundwork - Building Effective Data Teams” Ohio School Report Card training (date option #2) 8/15: Submit applications for LifeChanger of the Year Back-to-School Supply Grants 8/27: Attend webinar covering revised gifted operating standards 8/29: Retention/Promotion – Grade 3 Only reporting collection closes 8/31: Submit medical reporting information in Nonpublic Data System (chartered nonpublic schools) SEPTEMBER 9/3: Attend “Traditional and CTPD Graduation” Ohio School Report Card training (date option #1) 9/4: Attend “Traditional and CTPD Graduation” Ohio School Report Card training (date option #2) 9/5: Deadline to enter Second Lady Usha Vance’s K-8 2025 Summer Reading Challenge 9/10: Attend “Teacher Coaching and Providing Effective Feedback” Principal Chats webinar 9/22: Attend “Traditional College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness and CTPD Career & Post-Secondary Readiness” Ohio School Report Card training (date option #1) 9/23: Attend “Traditional College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness and CTPD Career & Post-Secondary Readiness” Ohio School Report Card training (date option #2)

Teacher of the Year (7/9/25)

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July 9, 2025

Contact: Angela Dicke Agency: State Board of Education of Ohio Email: angela.dicke@sboe.ohio.gov Phone: 614.644.7306 2026 STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR COHORT ANNOUNCED (Columbus, OH) – The State Board of Education of Ohio is pleased to announce the eleven 2026 State Board District Teachers of the Year. This cohort of recognized teachers will serve as ambassadors for public education and the teaching profession in Ohio. The next steps allow four of the eleven to move to the final selection phase for the 2026 Ohio Teacher of the Year who will represent Ohio teachers statewide and nationally during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Ohio Teacher of the Year Program. Since its inception in 1964, the Ohio Teacher of the Year program annually identifies exceptional teachers statewide celebrating their effective work in and outside the classroom. The program's mission is to provide opportunities for professional learning to exemplary teachers as leaders and advocates for public education. Selected teachers move through two levels of recognition: (1) the State Board District Teacher of the Year as a regional recognition and (2) the Ohio Teacher of the Year as the state-level recognition. Congratulations to the eleven recognized teachers: Christopher Monsour, Tiffin City Schools, High School Biology, Environmental Science, Anatomy & Physiology, State Board District 1 Teacher of the Year Kyle O. von Kamp, Willard City Schools, Middle School American History, English as a Second Language, State Board District 2 Teacher of the Year Ronda Nisbet, New Lebanon Local Schools, Middle School Mathematics, State Board District 3 Teacher of the Year Joshua Amstutz, Winton Woods City Schools, High School Mathematics, State Board District 4 Teacher of the Year Timothy Hoagland, Eastern Brown Local Schools, Band and Music, State Board District 5 Teacher of the Year Chad Thatcher, Whitehall City Schools, High School English, State Board District 6 Teacher of the Year Jordan King, Upper Arlington Schools, Middle School Orchestra, State Board District 7 Teacher of the Year Jenny Potts, Buckeye Local School District, Special Education, Kindergarten, First Grade, State Board District 8 Teacher of the Year Kristofer Doran, Trumbull Career and Technical Center, Interactive Multimedia, State Board District 9 Teacher of the Year LeShun Collins, Orange City School District, Health and Physical Education, State Board District 10 Teacher of the Year Sara Dreibelbis, Medina City Schools, Fifth Grade, State Board District 11 Teacher of the Year Learn more about the Ohio Teacher of the Year program and these outstanding educators on the Ohio Teacher of the Year webpage. Click here for a PDF version of this news release. Learn more about the State Board of Education

          Stay connected with the State Board of Education on our website, X, LinkedIn, and more. See our latest news, events and share with friends.