Meet Taylor Philhower!
With 16 years in education, primarily teaching middle school math, Taylor Philhower serves as ECESC’s RIASEC Coordinator/ Instructional Specialist, supporting member districts in advancing career-connected learning. As Coordinator of the Forge Your Future Student Experience and co-leader of the East Central Indiana STEM Ecosystem, Taylor plays a key role in connecting students to meaningful pathways and real-world opportunities.
Taylor supports districts through:
• Career-Connected Learning Implementation
• RIASEC Framework Integration
• Forge Your Future Experiences
• STEM Ecosystem Collaboration
With 16 years in education, primarily teaching middle school math, Taylor Philhower serves as ECESC’s RIASEC Coordinator/ Instructional Specialist, supporting member districts in advancing career-connected learning. As Coordinator of the Forge Your Future Student Experience and co-leader of the East Central Indiana STEM Ecosystem, Taylor plays a key role in connecting students to meaningful pathways and real-world opportunities.
Taylor supports districts through:
• Career-Connected Learning Implementation
• RIASEC Framework Integration
• Forge Your Future Experiences
• STEM Ecosystem Collaboration
Today, we wrap up National Apprenticeship Week by sharing another interview that highlights the importance of providing these real-world experiences for students. Watch as Paula interviews Kent Machine apprentice, Trent Larrison, and his supervisor, Josh Beckedahl, about their experience!
https://youtu.be/P3GEzkQVQXc?si=bQgwAxu6zuggkHZ4
You can view the extended interview here: https://youtu.be/dOlXgLSr9ik?si=Tzy_G-XA3LYv4PDe
https://youtu.be/P3GEzkQVQXc?si=bQgwAxu6zuggkHZ4
You can view the extended interview here: https://youtu.be/dOlXgLSr9ik?si=Tzy_G-XA3LYv4PDe
Today, we recognize the leaders who guide our schools across the region. Principals set the tone for teaching and learning by supporting staff, building strong, safe school cultures, and ensuring students have the opportunity to succeed.
We support building leaders through leadership-focused professional learning and mentoring, helping them grow and lead with confidence.
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to your school communities!
We support building leaders through leadership-focused professional learning and mentoring, helping them grow and lead with confidence.
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to your school communities!
Today, we recognize the dedicated cafeteria teams who ensure students are nourished and ready to learn each day. Their work makes a meaningful difference in every school community.
We’re proud to support our lunch heroes through our ESC School Food Co-Op, helping member districts navigate procurement while meeting all USDA and state requirements. Learn more here: https://www.ecesc.k12.in.us/o/ecesc/page/coop-purchasing
As we continue to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we are excited to share this interview with New Castle High School student, Catherine Willis. Watch this short as Paula and Catherine discuss the impact of her apprenticeship experience. https://youtu.be/SHAwXKZ8hQE?si=5AdYNy7n7ux7h6kl
You can view the extended video here: https://youtu.be/42u-i9-CMFQ?si=79bxMGYO-CbOEX_D
You can view the extended video here: https://youtu.be/42u-i9-CMFQ?si=79bxMGYO-CbOEX_D
Meet Jane Haudek!
With 40 years in education, Jane helps to ensure high-quality experiences for member districts. A former Indiana Literacy Cadre Training Support Specialist, she brings a wealth of expertise and a broad perspective shaped by her work as a teacher, administrator, university professor, and teacher intern supervisor. Jane’s depth of experience and commitment to education strengthen ECESC’s ability to serve educators across the region.
Jane supports ECESC through:
• Communication & Outreach
• Professional Learning Coordination
• Event Planning & Support
• Literacy-Focused Initiatives
• Educator Development & Support
With 40 years in education, Jane helps to ensure high-quality experiences for member districts. A former Indiana Literacy Cadre Training Support Specialist, she brings a wealth of expertise and a broad perspective shaped by her work as a teacher, administrator, university professor, and teacher intern supervisor. Jane’s depth of experience and commitment to education strengthen ECESC’s ability to serve educators across the region.
Jane supports ECESC through:
• Communication & Outreach
• Professional Learning Coordination
• Event Planning & Support
• Literacy-Focused Initiatives
• Educator Development & Support
Our own Jo Ann McCowan, alongside Karla Reed (Winchester Community High School), Anne Taylor (Monroe Central Jr/Sr High School), and Justin Jones (Union City Community Jr/Sr High School), presented to a packed house during their breakout session at the Vision in Action conference.
The group highlighted how the RAZ-32 model is creating aligned, high-quality career pathways through shared governance and coordinated investment across districts, and how this collaboration is helping schools meet Indiana’s evolving graduation requirements while expanding opportunities for students to earn Readiness Seals, Credentials of Value, and clear postsecondary pathways.
We’re proud to see this important work getting showcased and shared to benefit students beyond our region!
The group highlighted how the RAZ-32 model is creating aligned, high-quality career pathways through shared governance and coordinated investment across districts, and how this collaboration is helping schools meet Indiana’s evolving graduation requirements while expanding opportunities for students to earn Readiness Seals, Credentials of Value, and clear postsecondary pathways.
We’re proud to see this important work getting showcased and shared to benefit students beyond our region!
It's National Apprenticeship Week. Here, in East Central Indiana, we are preparing our students for the future. Take a look! #NAW2026 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bUc6NZQGSzY
Today, we proudly recognize the incredible school bus drivers who serve students across our region. Each day, they do far more than transport students; they create a safe, welcoming start and end to the school day, build relationships, and set a positive tone for learning.
Please join us in wishing Liz Ferris, Regional Career Coach, a very happy birthday! Liz’s dedication to expanding career-connected learning opportunities continues to make a meaningful difference for students across East Central Indiana.
We’re grateful to have Liz on our team!
We’re grateful to have Liz on our team!
Meet Ben Burris
Ben serves as ECESC’s Technology Consultant, providing support that helps schools navigate the ever-evolving world of technology infrastructure and planning. Through ECESC’s shared service partnership with Western Wayne Schools, Ben is able to extend his expertise to districts across the region, an excellent example of how shared services create value for students, educators, and schools alike.
Ben supports ECESC through:
• Technology Infrastructure Planning
• IT Systems Support & Optimization
• Strategic Technology Integration
• Shared Services Collaboration
Ben serves as ECESC’s Technology Consultant, providing support that helps schools navigate the ever-evolving world of technology infrastructure and planning. Through ECESC’s shared service partnership with Western Wayne Schools, Ben is able to extend his expertise to districts across the region, an excellent example of how shared services create value for students, educators, and schools alike.
Ben supports ECESC through:
• Technology Infrastructure Planning
• IT Systems Support & Optimization
• Strategic Technology Integration
• Shared Services Collaboration
We were proud to bring together education, nonprofit, and business leaders today for a leadership luncheon focused on developing dynamic teams. Participants explored practical tools and strategies to strengthen collaboration, build cohesion, and create more connected leadership teams, an essential foundation for the success and sustainability of any organization. Thanks to all who attended!
Reminder: Our FREE, virtual April STEM Affinity Group will be held on April 28. Those interested in collaborating on this topic should plan to join. Register here: https://shorturl.at/cQP7Z
To further support specialized roles within our districts, we are partnering with other Indiana ESCs to offer two NEW virtual affinity groups, focused on School Safety and Transportation. Each group will include relevant updates from state agencies and time for questions and open discussion. Contact phaney@eastcentralesc.com for more information.
To further support specialized roles within our districts, we are partnering with other Indiana ESCs to offer two NEW virtual affinity groups, focused on School Safety and Transportation. Each group will include relevant updates from state agencies and time for questions and open discussion. Contact phaney@eastcentralesc.com for more information.
K–8 Teachers, how are you introducing your students to career-connected learning? Join us for a Forge Your Future Educator Experience and explore our engaging RIASEC Room activities, designed to help students discover their interests and connect learning to future careers.
This session offers a unique opportunity to see the experience in action, with an elementary student group on-site so you can observe young learners engaging in the RIASEC rooms firsthand.
More importantly, you’ll walk away with practical strategies and ready-to-use ideas you can implement in your own classroom to bring career-connected learning to life.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your instruction and expand what’s possible for your students!
Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/2c25ua2
This session offers a unique opportunity to see the experience in action, with an elementary student group on-site so you can observe young learners engaging in the RIASEC rooms firsthand.
More importantly, you’ll walk away with practical strategies and ready-to-use ideas you can implement in your own classroom to bring career-connected learning to life.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your instruction and expand what’s possible for your students!
Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/2c25ua2
We’re excited to share that our own Lindsey Lovern will be presenting at the IEI District Leaders Conference in Denver in May. We’re proud to have Lindsey representing ECESC and advancing innovative, student-centered practices on a national level! https://shorturl.at/2tJFl
Reminder - Don’t miss an opportunity to explore a free e-purchasing solution for your district! NOW ON APR. 29, ECPA is offering a webinar featuring Indigo, a free marketplace platform designed to help districts streamline purchasing and save! Register: https://shorturl.at/IID3f
Meet Teresa Amick
With an incredible 34 years of service, Teresa is ECESC’s longest-serving employee and a trusted leader in managing the organization’s financial operations. As Treasurer, she ensures resources are used efficiently to support strong educational outcomes, while maintaining accurate and transparent financial records that our team and Board can rely on. Teresa’s deep institutional knowledge and longstanding commitment play a critical role in sustaining ECESC’s impact across the region.
Teresa supports ECESC through:
• Financial Oversight & Management
• Budgeting & Resource Allocation
• Accurate Financial Reporting
• Fiscal Accountability & Compliance
• Long-Term Organizational Stability
With an incredible 34 years of service, Teresa is ECESC’s longest-serving employee and a trusted leader in managing the organization’s financial operations. As Treasurer, she ensures resources are used efficiently to support strong educational outcomes, while maintaining accurate and transparent financial records that our team and Board can rely on. Teresa’s deep institutional knowledge and longstanding commitment play a critical role in sustaining ECESC’s impact across the region.
Teresa supports ECESC through:
• Financial Oversight & Management
• Budgeting & Resource Allocation
• Accurate Financial Reporting
• Fiscal Accountability & Compliance
• Long-Term Organizational Stability
On Friday, our own Lora Wilson and Lindsey Lovern presented at the Rural Education Summit in Plainfield, highlighting key strategies to support student success.
Lindsey shared insights on Forge Your Future, emphasizing the importance of starting career-connected learning conversations in middle school, while Lora discussed Building Resilient Students and Schools and the powerful impact of equipping staff with trauma-informed practices.
We’re proud to share the work happening across our region and its impact on students and schools.
There’s still time to register for our upcoming Building Dynamic Teams Luncheon! Check out this short clip as Pat explains what you can expect to gain from this session! Register now: https://shorturl.at/n3HTU
Free for ECESC Members!
https://youtu.be/8vPfnp4dUDI
Free for ECESC Members!
https://youtu.be/8vPfnp4dUDI
Join us in celebrating Paula Fiscus, our Secondary Instructional Specialist! Paula’s leadership in work-based learning and secondary professional development continues to support educators across our region and impact student learning.
Wishing you a wonderful birthday, Paula!
Wishing you a wonderful birthday, Paula!
