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SOESC CONNECTION

February 2025

SOESCCONNECTIONFebruary 2025

SOESC CONNECTION SOESC CONNECTION

Pictured: Hannah Garen and Grace Eads
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Did you know SOESC Teaching and Learning Team is Certified Professional Learning Providers?

To learn more about their team and the offerings they present,

please visit the SOESC Teaching & Learning Team Site or

visit www.soesc.org for more information.

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SOESC Directory Trifold Brochure.pdf
Download our SOESC Directory here to discover contact information for our SOESC team members.
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BE WELL BE WELL

5 ways to feel better when you’re experiencing low mood

Life has plenty of highs and lows. While it's natural to feel down at times, it can help to have some feel-better strategies in your back pocket to help you shift your mood.

Finding your way to feeling better might require some trial and error. It's all about discovering what works when you need a boost.


1. Move your body

Ever noticed that post-workout high? When you exercise, your body releases feel-good chemicals. Plus, getting active helps divert your mind from negativity, channeling that energy elsewhere. Whether it's a walk, yoga, or dancing in your living room, find an exercise you love to boost your mood.


2. Practice meditation in the morning (or whenever you need it)

Kick-start your day with a 10-minute meditation session. Find a comfy spot, and if you're a beginner, guided meditation can be helpful. Meditation can also give you a boost at any time of day if you’re feeling low. Pick a session that resonates and notice the impact of taking a few mindful minutes with yourself.


3. Set small, achievable goals for yourself

It's not about the big achievements but the daily victories. Setting small, realistic goals gives your day direction and a sense of purpose. And every time you tick off items on a checklist, your confidence gets a well-deserved boost. Even something as simple as making the bed or taking a shower should be celebrated on those days where you’re feeling low.


4. Prioritize good quality sleep

Sleep isn't just for your body–it's for your mind, too. A good night's sleep can help you process emotions, clear your mind, and rejuvenate your body. So if you’re feeling low, try going to bed early to help you feel better the next day. Or, take a nap in the middle of the day to see whether your mood shifts after a brief moment of shut-eye.


5. Limit your exposure to negativity

Vibe check. Whether it's negative news, challenging relationships, or even your own self-criticism, reduce your exposure to these influences.


Sometimes, we need extra support. And that's okay. If you're finding it hard to cope, consider speaking to a professional. They can offer tools and insights tailored to your unique situation. This is especially important if you suspect that your low mood is due to depression, anxiety, or a mental health condition. This information and resources are presented by Calm.

28 Healthy Dinners to Make in February

28 Healthy Dinners to Make in February

This February, warm up on chilly nights with one of these healthy and tasty dinners. Whether you're in the mood for creamy pasta or roasted chicken with vegetables, there's a dish for every desire in this lineup.

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IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM ODEW IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM ODEW

Interim Resident Educator License Available for 2025-2026 School Year

The 1-Year Interim Resident Educator license is available for the 2025-2026 school year at the request of the employing superintendent or chief administrator of the school, district, or educational service center to candidates who have not successfully completed exam requirements for standard Resident Educator licensure. This license is valid in any employing Ohio school, district, or educational service center. Educators working under an Interim Resident Educator license are considered properly certified in the subject area(s) and grade levels listed on the license.

Note that both the employing Ohio school, district, or educational service center AND the college or university at which the applicant completed an Ohio Department of Higher Education approved educator preparation program must electronically approve the application for the initial license. Only applications for the 2025-2026 school year will be processed at this time. Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will be declined. See the Interim Resident Educator License webpage for instructions.

INTERIM RESIDENT EDUCATOR LICENSE
Link to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce's webpage on the Interim Resident Educator License.

Eligibility Requirements

The Interim Resident Educator license is available only to candidates who have successfully completed an Ohio Department of Higher Education approved educator preparation program (per Ohio law) and passed the state required Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) professional knowledge exam or the edTPA. Additionally, they must have attempted to pass the required content area exam and Foundations of Reading exam (if required for the requested licensure area). Note the minimum exam score requirements for eligibility for the Interim Resident Educator license below:

  • Minimum of 206 on the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) content assessment(s) required for the requested subject area
  • Minimum of 206 on the OAE Foundations of Reading 190 (if required)
  • Minimum of Intermediate Mid on the ACTFL OPI and WPT assessments for world languages

The Interim Resident Educator license is not available to candidates who completed out-of-state or alternative licensure programs.

EDUCATION PROGRAM FINDER
Link to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce's webpage for finding eligible programs.

Renewal Requirements

The Interim Resident Educator license must be renewed two times at the request of the employing superintendent or chief administrator of the school, district, or educational service center in order to complete requirements to advance to a professional license. Educators must upload a screen shot of their final holistic annual evaluation through their CORE Dashboard with their renewal application. The screen shot must include the educator’s name, Educator State ID number, and the evaluation information. Educators may review the OhioES Help webpage for information about accessing OhioES to obtain their evaluation.

DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW?

Canva Offers Many Accessibility Features

Canva Accessibility Design Checklist


✅ Color & Contrast

☐ Text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text (3:1 for large text)
☐ Background and text colors provide clear contrast
☐ No color is used alone to convey meaning (pair with text/icons)
☐ Checked design with a color blindness simulator (optional)


✅ Fonts & Readability

☐ Used sans-serif fonts for easier readability (e.g., Montserrat, Open Sans)
☐ Body text is at least 16pt for digital readability
☐ Avoided all caps, italics, or decorative fonts for long text blocks
☐ Line spacing is at least 1.5x


✅ Alternative Text (Alt Text) & Captions

☐ Added alt descriptions when posting on social media
☐ If exporting as a PDF, ensured text is selectable (not just an image)
☐ Provided a caption or text equivalent for important visuals


✅ Layout & Navigation

☐ Reading order is logical (top to bottom, left to right)
☐ Used grids and alignment to maintain structure
☐ Avoided unnecessary clutter or overlapping elements


✅ Animation & Motion

☐ No flashing elements (to prevent seizures)
☐ Animations do not move too fast or distract from key information


✅ File Format & Exporting


☐ If sharing a PDF, checked for accessibility using Adobe Acrobat
☐ Saved in an appropriate format (PNG, JPG, PDF) while keeping text readable


Canva for education is free! This also enables pro features to your account!

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Canva now offers certification for

Get Certified in AI for the Classroom!


The AI in the Classroom certification is now live! Whether you're new to AI or looking to enhance your teaching strategies, this course provides the tools and confidence to integrate AI into your classroom effectively.


Canva for Education remains 100% free for teachers and students, ensuring educators stay ahead in this evolving learning landscape. Explore AI’s potential to innovate, engage, and inspire—get started today!


📽 Watch the video below for more information or contact Taylor Reed at treed@soesc.org with any questions.

Welcome to the AI in the classroom

OPPORTUNITIES AT SOESC OPPORTUNITIES AT SOESC

Photo of American Sign Language being performed with a student.
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Educational Interpreters

Photo of American Sign Language being performed with a student.
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Itinerant Teachers for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Photo of a teacher working through a school speech therapy exercise.
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Speech-Language Pathologists

VIEW ALL JOB POSTINGS HERE
SOESC is dedicated to providing the highest quality of services in a cost-effective collaborative environment. This service allows many of our employees to work outside of our main office(s) and directly in one or multiple member school district(s).

EVENTS & PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS & PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

List of PD and Events by SOESC which is linked to full calendar.
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Event Information

42nd Annual Exceptional Achievement Award Ceremony

Exceptional Achievement Awards which will be taking place on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 at Hillsboro High School with a reception starting at 6 PM and the ceremony starting promptly at 7 PM

When?

Thursday, Apr 3, 2025, 06:00 PM

Where?

550 U.S. 62, Hillsboro, OH, USA

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CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR FULL CALENDAR
SOESC 2024-2025 Full Calendar of Events and Professional Learning Opportunites Linked Here

RESOURCES RESOURCES

Building Trust: Relationships, Listening and Finding Common Ground
What a 'Positive, Proactive Approach' to Chronic Absenteeism Looks Like

What a 'Positive, Proactive Approach' to Chronic Absenteeism Looks Like

A Kansas City, Kan., leader explains how her district shifted its approach to chronic absenteeism.

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Family Engagement Isn't One-Size-Fits-All. Here's How to Do It Right

Family Engagement Isn't One-Size-Fits-All. Here's How to Do It Right

This Kentucky district leader emphasizes meaningful family engagement training for educators.

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Canva | Create 2025

Canva | Create 2025

Canva | Create 2025

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#SocialSchool4EDU · Blog · Managing Your School's Facebook Page: A Comprehensive Guide to Meta Business Portfolio

#SocialSchool4EDU · Blog · Managing Your School's Facebook Page: A Comprehensive Guide to Meta Business Portfolio

Managing your school's Facebook page becomes effortless with this step-by-step guide to setting up Meta Business Portfolio properly.

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PREP FOR READ ACROSS AMERICA 2025 PREP FOR READ ACROSS AMERICA 2025

Read Across America Day / Dr Seuss Day 2025 | Awareness Days Events Calendar 2025

Read Across America Day / Dr Seuss Day 2025 | Awareness Days Events Calendar 2025

Read Across America Day, also recognized as Dr. Seuss Day, is an annual event that promotes the joy of reading, especially among children. Celebrated in honor

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Read Across America: A Guide + Popular Ideas to Celebrate

Read Across America: A Guide + Popular Ideas to Celebrate

Read Across America is a time to celebrate reading and all the ways it benefits your students. Learn how to engage students and bring your community together.

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Read Across America Day 2025 Teaching Resources

Read Across America Day 2025 Teaching Resources

Celebrate Read Across America Day and Week 2025 with worksheets, bulletin board ideas, activities, games and more designed by elementary school teachers for...

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CONNECT WITH SOESC CONNECT WITH SOESC

SOESC Services Catalog 2024-2025

SOESC Services Catalog 2024-2025

Welcome to interactive presentation, created with Publuu. Enjoy the reading!

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SOESC LANDING PAGE
Southern Ohio Educational Service Center is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. Discover more about us here on our landing page.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
Our website stores information and news from SOESC, including service information, opportunity announcements, and more.
SOESC Connection designed by Taylor Reed
February 2025 Installment

SOESC Connection Newsletter: Better Communication for a Stronger Community


Our top priority is to promote clear communication throughout our organization and among our partners and followers. The SOESC Connection Newsletter is one form of communication we share monthly to work to achieve this goal. We are proud to be a part of this community. Join us on our mission and subscribe today!


If you have questions or have an item that you would like in the next installment please contact Taylor Reed at media@soesc.org

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