March 2026- NWIESC Newsletter
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Executive Director Notes
Strengthening Our Schools, Together
As one of nine collaborative service centers across the state, we take great pride in our mission to provide member districts with extensive opportunities for professional growth, cost savings, and shared expertise.
Our work is guided by four core beliefs that ensure every educator and student we serve has the tools they need to thrive. Here is a look at what drives us:
Our Core Beliefs
- Service: We prioritize students, educators, and communities with dedication and integrity. For us, service means listening to local needs, delivering timely resources, and removing barriers to student success.
- Support: Improvement requires a solid foundation. We provide research-based professional development and technical assistance to build capacity at both the classroom and systems levels, ensuring growth is durable and scalable.
- Innovation: By piloting emerging strategies and leveraging technology thoughtfully, we encourage creative problem-solving. We help our members adapt to a changing landscape and prepare students for the future.
- Collaboration: We believe partnership multiplies impact. By working across districts and with community partners, we share expertise and reduce costs, creating a network of collective learning and coordinated action.
Why It Matters
By focusing on these core beliefs, we are not just providing a service; we are building a stronger, more connected educational community. When we collaborate, we ensure that every district, regardless of size, has access to the highest quality resources and support.
-Dr. Don Harman
Cooperative Purchasing
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.
Office Depot, a newly procured contract by the ECPA, is a leading provider of office supplies, furniture, technology, and print services, supporting businesses, schools, and organizations with reliable products and competitive pricing. With both in-store and online shopping options, Office Depot makes it easy to find the tools and resources needed to keep workplaces and classrooms running smoothly.
Click below for the Cooperative Purchasing Newsletter to learn more!
Food Service
Curriculum
Adolescent Literacy has received additional attention recently. As we wait to see what supports, programs, cadres, etc. come from the state, the IDOE has pushed out several incredibly helpful resources, all housed in the IN Learning Lab. The Disciplinary Literacy Guidance document outlines the differences between content literacy and disciplinary literacy, both important, but different approaches.
A few additional areas worth exploring, especially for your teachers in grades 6+, instructional coaches, interventionists, and leaders:
- Literacy Leadership Series: Hour-long sessions every Tuesday afternoon, highlighting various school and district-wide literacy considerations for leaders. Guest speakers from various places, like Keys to Literacy and The Reading League.
- Adolescent Literacy: Science of Reading Overview: A variety of recorded webinars and resources focused on supporting the Science of Reading in the middle grades.
- Disciplinary Literacy Collection: ~30-minute videos sharing research and ideas and strengthening vocabulary and fluency in science and social studies classrooms.
This is a developing space. We are committed to keeping you informed of updates and supports as we work together as a state to strengthen adolescent literacy!
Technology Integration
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- Click here for full agenda and to register!
STEM Integration
STEM Connection Council
NWIESC 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/or 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
House Bill 1634
Math education
Middle School Advanced Math
Course Requirements
Students who achieve a score of “above proficiency” on the ILEARN Mathematics assessment in grades 5, 6, or 7; and earn a grade of “C” or higher in their current mathematics coursework will be automatically enrolled in a middle school advanced math course.
To support your planning and next steps, here are some resources to guide implementation.
- Indiana Code 20-30-18-3
- 6/13/25 Memo: Middle School Advanced Math Course Requirements for Auto Enrollment - Preliminary Guidance for 2026-2027
- 11/21/25 Memo: Middle School Advanced Mathematics Course Requirements for Auto Enrollment
- Initial Family Communication & Opt Out Templates
- IDOE Sample Scope and Sequence
Help me celebrate National School Social Work Week
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our school social workers for the compassion, expertise, and steady support you provide to students and families each day. Your work strengthens the connection between school, home, and community, ensuring that every student has access to the resources and encouragement they need to thrive. We are deeply grateful for the care and advocacy you bring to our schools.
Thank you
Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities
- Click here to register for March 9th at Wawasee!!
- Click here to register for April 8th at Hobart!
NWIESC Member Spotlight
Dr. Mary Tracy-MacAulay
Superintendent
Hanover Community Schools
The Northwest Indiana Education Service Center is proud to spotlight Mary Tracy-MacAulay, Superintendent of Hanover Community School Corporation. With more than four decades in public education—including 11.5 years with Hanover—Mary has dedicated her career to supporting students, staff, and the broader school community.
Over the past year, one of the corporation’s most significant accomplishments has been the successful renewal of its Operational Referendum. Mary credits the strong support of the Hanover community and the collaborative efforts of many contributors for this achievement. The favorable vote reflects the community’s ongoing commitment to sustaining high-quality public education for its students.
For Mary, the most rewarding moments of the school year are those that highlight student growth and promise. She especially cherishes the excitement of the first day of school and the pride of graduation day—milestones that showcase the impact educators have on students’ futures. Being part of the Wildcat Pride and helping students become successful, productive citizens has remained her greatest professional fulfillment.
As Mary prepares to retire at the end of this school year after 41 years in public education, she reflects with gratitude and confidence. She shares that it has been an absolute joy to serve the Hanover community and expresses strong optimism for the district’s continued forward momentum under future leadership.
Outside of her professional role, Mary enjoys reading, gardening, and cooking. She values time spent with family and friends and stays busy keeping up with Stanley, her energetic Golden Retriever puppy who brings daily joy. Even in retirement, Mary plans to remain a dedicated advocate for public education.
Thank you, Mary Tracy-MacAulay, for your years of leadership and service to students and schools across our region.