Meet Sarah Heppner!
Sarah Heppner serves as ECESC’s Training Support Specialist for the Literacy Cadre, helping ensure students receive the foundational literacy skills needed for lifelong success. With 39 years in education, Sarah brings extensive experience as a teacher, instructional coach, high-ability coordinator, and Title I coordinator. Her work focuses on supporting elementary reading coaches and strengthening literacy instruction to improve outcomes for young learners.
Sarah supports districts in:
• Science of Reading Support
• Elementary Reading Coach Development
• Foundational Literacy Instruction
• Literacy-Focused Professional Learning
• Reading Intervention & Support Strategies
• Student-Centered Literacy Systems
Sarah Heppner serves as ECESC’s Training Support Specialist for the Literacy Cadre, helping ensure students receive the foundational literacy skills needed for lifelong success. With 39 years in education, Sarah brings extensive experience as a teacher, instructional coach, high-ability coordinator, and Title I coordinator. Her work focuses on supporting elementary reading coaches and strengthening literacy instruction to improve outcomes for young learners.
Sarah supports districts in:
• Science of Reading Support
• Elementary Reading Coach Development
• Foundational Literacy Instruction
• Literacy-Focused Professional Learning
• Reading Intervention & Support Strategies
• Student-Centered Literacy Systems
Last week, we wrapped up our MTSS series with Days 2 & 3, which focused on planning for instructional precision in both English Language Arts and math.
District teams are already looking ahead and building strong strategies to support student success in the 2026–27 school year.
District teams are already looking ahead and building strong strategies to support student success in the 2026–27 school year.
Today, Daleville 6th-grade students participated in our Forge Your Future Student Experience, engaging in hands-on, career-connected learning activities to explore interests, strengths, and future pathways.
We were excited to welcome members of the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County staff, who visited to see this innovative learning experience in action and to learn about its impact on students across our region.
We were excited to welcome members of the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County staff, who visited to see this innovative learning experience in action and to learn about its impact on students across our region.
Meet Lori Ward!
Lori Ward serves as ECESC’s Training Support Specialist for the Literacy Cadre, supporting literacy coaches and educators in implementing the Science of Reading. With 29 years in education, Lori brings extensive experience as a teacher, literacy coach, and reading interventionist, along with deep expertise as a K–3 literacy specialist. Her work helps schools strengthen foundational literacy instruction and support student reading success at the earliest levels.
Lori supports districts in:
• Science of Reading Implementation
• Literacy Coach Support
• K–3 Literacy Instruction
• Reading Intervention Strategies
• Early Literacy Professional Learning
• Foundational Reading Skill Development
Lori Ward serves as ECESC’s Training Support Specialist for the Literacy Cadre, supporting literacy coaches and educators in implementing the Science of Reading. With 29 years in education, Lori brings extensive experience as a teacher, literacy coach, and reading interventionist, along with deep expertise as a K–3 literacy specialist. Her work helps schools strengthen foundational literacy instruction and support student reading success at the earliest levels.
Lori supports districts in:
• Science of Reading Implementation
• Literacy Coach Support
• K–3 Literacy Instruction
• Reading Intervention Strategies
• Early Literacy Professional Learning
• Foundational Reading Skill Development
Reminder: Our May STEM Affinity Group will meet virtually on May 26. Register here: https://shorturl.at/CTBTv
Meet Ashley Mann!
Ashley serves as an ECESC Regional Career Coach and Mobile Experience Lead, supporting career awareness initiatives and creating engaging student experiences both on and off-site. With 15 years of experience in informal and experiential education, Ashley brings a unique background in museum education and public media, helping learners connect with hands-on, meaningful learning opportunities. Her expertise in engaging audiences of all ages helps make career-connected learning accessible, interactive, and impactful.
Ashley supports districts in:
• Mobile & Off-Site Student Experiences
• Experiential Learning Opportunities
• Hands-On Learning Design
• Career-Connected Learning Support
• Technology Rentals
Ashley serves as an ECESC Regional Career Coach and Mobile Experience Lead, supporting career awareness initiatives and creating engaging student experiences both on and off-site. With 15 years of experience in informal and experiential education, Ashley brings a unique background in museum education and public media, helping learners connect with hands-on, meaningful learning opportunities. Her expertise in engaging audiences of all ages helps make career-connected learning accessible, interactive, and impactful.
Ashley supports districts in:
• Mobile & Off-Site Student Experiences
• Experiential Learning Opportunities
• Hands-On Learning Design
• Career-Connected Learning Support
• Technology Rentals
Congratulations to New Castle Middle School Assistant Principal Stephen Sullivan for being named IASP District 6 Assistant Principal of the Year!
Our Forge Your Future Team traveled to Wes-Del Community Schools yesterday for their annual STEM Day. Third graders used Marty robots to practice coding, and fourth graders used VR headsets to learn about STEM in college and careers. Thanks for having us, Wes-Del!
Today, regional Tech Directors gathered at Western Wayne for a meeting focused on tech topics impacting schools. The session included presentations from IOT and Forte.
Thank you to Forte for sponsoring lunch and to Lincoln Golden Eagle Industries for providing the meal!
Thank you to Forte for sponsoring lunch and to Lincoln Golden Eagle Industries for providing the meal!
Today’s AI Ed Symposium featured an inspiring keynote from Jeremy Hill, Richmond Tech Leader & Magic School Teacher of the Year, alongside the Richmond HSTech Team. Together, they shared the powerful role students/educators can play in shaping innovative learning.
Yesterday, we hosted the Daleville Superintendent's Student Advisory Council, where students provided valuable feedback and perspective to support the development of the district’s Portrait of a Graduate. This opportunity highlights the importance of student voice in this work!
Meet Liz Ferris!
Liz serves as one of our amazing Regional Career Coaches, leading career awareness initiatives and supporting districts in implementing the Indiana Career Coaching Framework. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education access and student success, Liz is passionate about helping students and families navigate pathways from K–12 education through postsecondary opportunities and careers.
Liz supports districts in:
Indiana Career Coaching Framework Implementation
Postsecondary & Career Readiness
Forge Your Future Student Experience
Career Awareness & Exploration
Liz serves as one of our amazing Regional Career Coaches, leading career awareness initiatives and supporting districts in implementing the Indiana Career Coaching Framework. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education access and student success, Liz is passionate about helping students and families navigate pathways from K–12 education through postsecondary opportunities and careers.
Liz supports districts in:
Indiana Career Coaching Framework Implementation
Postsecondary & Career Readiness
Forge Your Future Student Experience
Career Awareness & Exploration
Happy birthday to Sarah Heppner, one of our ECESC Training Support Specialists. Sarah plays a key role in supporting literacy across many of our partner schools, resulting in significant growth! We appreciate all she does for schools across our region. Happy birthday, Sarah!
Yesterday, we hosted our final Career Coaching Quarterly Meeting of the academic year, bringing together career coaches and district administrators from across the region.
We’re grateful for the collaboration and shared commitment to expanding career-connected learning opportunities for students.
Thank you to all who participated throughout the year!
We’re grateful for the collaboration and shared commitment to expanding career-connected learning opportunities for students.
Thank you to all who participated throughout the year!
Today, our own Ben Burris presented at the IN CTO Clinic alongside Supt. Trent McCormick, sharing insights on innovative shared-services models for school technology leadership, highlighting strategies for supporting sustainable technology operations across districts.
Meet Laura Hamm!
With 14 years of experience in education, Laura serves as ECESC’s Associate RIASEC Coordinator and Regional Career Coach, leading career awareness initiatives and supporting districts in implementing the Indiana Career Coaching Framework. An experienced middle and high school educator specializing in Social Studies and English Language Learning, Laura is passionate about helping students explore meaningful pathways to future success.
Laura supports districts in:
• Indiana Career Coaching Framework Implementation
• Career Awareness Initiatives
• Forge Your Future Student Experience
• Business & Community Partnership Coordination
• Career-Connected Learning Support
With 14 years of experience in education, Laura serves as ECESC’s Associate RIASEC Coordinator and Regional Career Coach, leading career awareness initiatives and supporting districts in implementing the Indiana Career Coaching Framework. An experienced middle and high school educator specializing in Social Studies and English Language Learning, Laura is passionate about helping students explore meaningful pathways to future success.
Laura supports districts in:
• Indiana Career Coaching Framework Implementation
• Career Awareness Initiatives
• Forge Your Future Student Experience
• Business & Community Partnership Coordination
• Career-Connected Learning Support
As we continue celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week, we're proud to support educators through our New and Beginning Teacher program.
By investing in early-career teachers, we help build confidence and support long-term success.
By investing in early-career teachers, we help build confidence and support long-term success.
Today, we celebrate the incredible school nurses who care for students' health and well-being. From supporting physical and mental health to responding in critical moments, their role is essential to a safe and successful school environment.
We’re proud to support our school nurses through School Nurse Check Ups, providing opportunities for collaboration, shared learning, and ongoing support.
We’re proud to support our school nurses through School Nurse Check Ups, providing opportunities for collaboration, shared learning, and ongoing support.
Mark your calendars now for our virtual May Affinity Groups. Register to attend via the links below.
Counselors (5/12): https://shorturl.at/X8BF6
Media Specialists (5/12): https://shorturl.at/S0fEO
STEM (5/26): https://shorturl.at/CTBTv
Counselors (5/12): https://shorturl.at/X8BF6
Media Specialists (5/12): https://shorturl.at/S0fEO
STEM (5/26): https://shorturl.at/CTBTv
As we celebrate #TeacherAppreciationDay, we proudly highlight our support for teachers through high-quality professional learning opportunities that help them grow in their practice. In SY 25-26, we've provided PD to almost 3K educators! That's Appreciation in Action!
