The Gallia-Vinton Educational Service Center (ESC) was formed in 1997 to provide services to the Gallia County Local and Vinton County Local School Districts. Traditionally these services focused on special education supervision, attendance officers, and curriculum development. Today the ESC has evolved to extend contract services to local school districts in adjacent counties, Boards of Developmental Disabilities, faith-based schools, governmental entities, and community agencies.

One of the fastest growing services at the ESC is the 21st Century Community Learning Centers located at 15 sites in a three county area serving 2,500 students per year. The newest centers are located in the Jackson City Schools, Chesapeake Union Exempted Village Schools, and the P.I.L.O.T. Center (credit recovery program). Centers in the Gallia County Local Schools have been in operation for seven years and the Ohio Valley Christian Schools and Christian Life Academy are entering their fifth year of operation. Special topic adult classes and intergenerational programs are available at each center.

Professional development opportunities for teachers now include value-added training, math/science academic coaching, core curriculum, resident educator/mentoring programs, family reading initiatives, summer study tours, secondary transitions services, library collections analysis, and child care licensure training. Administrators benefit from grant writing services, Ohio Improvement Process (OIP) trainers, summer school fiscal operations, and outside evaluation services.

A federal Teaching American History (TAH) grant entitled, “Five Star Liberty Fellowship,” continues in the third year for teachers in grades 3-8 with summer field studies to focus on the Civil War. Funded by the Library of Congress, the Landmark Moments Fellowship is open to social studies and language arts teachers and school media specialists in grades 9-12 in Gallia, Jackson, Vinton, Meigs, Scioto, Ross, and Lawrence Counties. Beginning teachers continue to receive training and support in their residency program through The Rio Connection: Center of Practice.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome as we strive to build services that match the needs of our clients. The ESC motto is, “Service Is Our Business.” I can be reached at (740) 245-0593 or by e-mail at 90_dshockley@seovec.org.
12/9/2011