January 2026- NWIESC Newsletter
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Executive Director Notes
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Join Our Study Councils
Collaborate, Learn, and Lead Together!
Our Study Councils are a great way to connect with colleagues across districts, share ideas, and learn from one another. They provide a welcoming space for collaboration, professional growth, and real-world problem-solving with others who understand the work you do every day. Most councils meet virtually for your convenience, with occasional in-person gatherings to deepen connections and collaboration.
We invite you to jump in and join any of our specialized councils:
- Curriculum Council – Join conversations about curriculum design, instructional strategies, and fresh ideas that support teaching and learning.
- Cybersecurity Council – Stay ahead of new threats and work with peers to strengthen your district’s digital security.
- Early Literacy Council – Partner with others to support young readers and share strategies that build strong early literacy foundations.
- Network Administrators Council – Exchange tips, troubleshoot issues, and keep your district’s systems running smoothly with help from fellow tech pros.
- Principals Council – Connect with other building leaders to talk through challenges, celebrate wins, and grow your leadership toolkit.
- School Counselor Council – Focused on supporting counselors and providing a collaborative space to explore best practices in academic, career, and social-emotional learning aligned with the newest education requirements.
- School Social Worker Council - Collaborate on student support, mental wellness initiatives, and ways to meet the needs of the whole child.
- School Safety Council – Work together on planning, preparedness, and best practices to ensure safe, secure school environments.
- State Reporting Council – Navigate reporting requirements with confidence through shared guidance and peer support.
- Technology Directors Council – Lead conversations around innovation, future-focused planning, and effective district-wide technology leadership.
- Work-Based Learning Alliance - ESCI - With Indiana’s new diploma requirements and the increased emphasis on work-based learning, ESCI is committed to supporting educators as they navigate all aspects of work-based learning.
- Transportation Directors Council – Share insights and solutions that support safe, efficient, and well-coordinated student transportation.
By joining a Study Council, you’ll connect with a community of peers who understand your challenges, support your goals, and are committed to making a positive impact in education.
Have questions or want to get involved? Contact us—we’d love to help you get started!
Cooperative Purchasing
Cooperative Purchasing has joined hands across the state.
NIESC and NWIESC have joined with other Cooperative Purchasing Specialist in Indiana to bring you the best contracts.
The Educational Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (ECPA) is a collaborative alliance between eight Indiana education service centers dedicated to streamlining the purchasing process for member school districts. ECPA’s purchasing team actively works to remove barriers for schools, streamlining and simplifying the procurement process while ensuring full compliance with state and federal regulations. Through vetted contracts with leading vendors, ECPA enables districts to leverage collective buying power to secure high-quality goods and services at significantly reduced costs.
Click Here For The Cooperative Purchasing Newsletter
Food Service
Indiana ESC School Food Co-op
NIESC School Food Co-op Flyer
Co-op Updates
- 26-27 SY Participation Agreements were sent to food service directors for electronic signature in December. The agreements are due on January 15, 2026.
- If you are not currently part of the co-op and are interested in joining, please reach out to Sara Williams. Per the IDOE, we cannot accept new co-op members for the 26-27 SY after February 1st.
- Our next co-op meeting is on January 15, 2026 on Zoom.
2026 National School Breakfast Week - School Nutrition Association
National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) celebrates the importance of a nutritious school breakfast in fueling students for success. This special observance during the first week of March celebrates the national School Breakfast Program and the many ways it gives kids a great start every day.
Curriculum
- Click here to register your team!
Technology Integration
Click Here to Learn More and Register
Click Here to Learn More and Register
STEM Integration
STEM Connection Council
STEM Connection Council
NIESC is excited to announce the planning of a regional STEM collaboration group dedicated to strengthening inquiry-based learning and effective STEM instructional practices. This collaborative network will bring together educators and stakeholders to share best practices, examine research-informed strategies, and engage in meaningful professional dialogue focused on high-quality STEM teaching and learning. Through ongoing collaboration, the group aims to support innovative instruction, promote student-centered inquiry, and build collective capacity to improve STEM outcomes across the region.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please fill out and SHARE the following survey with anyone in your corporation who might be interested in joining the council to aid us in our planning!
CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY
Contact Laura Unsicker with questions or input!
School Counseling
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Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities
Click Here to Learn More and Register
Click Here to Join
NWIESC Member Spotlight
David Verta
Superintendent, Whiting
This January, we are excited to spotlight David Verta, who joined the School City of Whiting in May 2025 and now serves as Superintendent of Schools.
In his first seven months with the district, Superintendent Verta has focused on cultivating school pride and strengthening the family-like environment that makes Whiting unique. His efforts have centered on building positive relationships, improving communication, and creating a culture where every student and staff member feels welcomed, supported, and valued.
A key part of his work has been reinforcing what it truly means to be a Whiting Oiler—showing up with pride, representing the district with integrity, and taking care of one another. Through recognition of great work, promotion of collaboration, and celebration of the many positives happening each day, he aims to foster schools where people are proud to be, proud to work, and proud to learn.
When asked what he finds most rewarding, Verta shared that it’s the small moments that matter most—removing a barrier for a student, helping a staff member solve a problem, or contributing to an environment where people genuinely want to come to school. Being part of a team that lifts each other up is what makes the work meaningful to him.
Looking ahead, Superintendent Verta dreams of a corporation recognized not only for academic excellence but also for the way it cares for its people. He envisions strong staff retention, engaged students who feel connected, and families who choose Whiting because they know their children will be known, supported, and challenged.
Outside of work, Verta enjoys spending time with his family and making the most of evenings and weekends together. He’s also an avid Chicago sports fan, especially of the Cubs and the Bears.