Jefferson County ESC

VLA Celebrates 20th Anniversary

STEUBENVILLE – The Jefferson County Educational Service Center (JCESC) Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) celebrated 20 years of bridging the distance with convenient and effective educational tools. Following a work session Sept. 5, VLA Director Mark Masloski spoke to educators from multiple districts at the R. Larry George Training Annex.“It’s amazing how far we’ve come.”Masloski said VLA has enjoyed “unbelievable support” from schools and the community.“We are student-centered. We think of our students first, and of our teachers and our schools,” he said. Masloski spoke of the variety of courses available to districts that use JCESC. The VLA is highly accessible and accommodating to schools and provides ready resources for education.“Everything we develop is to support teachers and help students.”The courses are versatile, with educators able to quickly find lessons and suggestions for a myriad of subjects, along with resources such as PowerPoint illustrations, videos and tests. Masloski said teachers have the option of taking part or all of a VLA lesson as it applies to their subject.VLA has also been successful in the use of artificial intelligence to help support the program.“We’ve created some really good scenario questions,” Masloski said. Students can use the material independently with a mentor or in a classroom setting. Masloski elaborated on ways teachers can assess students to see how well they have learned the material.Masloski highlighted two newer offerings. VLA has a conservation course to earn a Conservation Science credit, and many students are enthusiastic about hunting, fishing and outdoor activities. VLA now also offers a financial math course to equip students with life skills such as paying their taxes, renting and buying a car or leasing an apartment.“Those are two courses we’re so proud of.”Invitations went out to staff who work far from the Steubenville office and rarely see their coworkers in person, as well as to past staffers familiar with VLA’s early days. Among these was Susie Fristick, who worked at VLA writing courses for 11 years and retired several years ago. She shared memories of seeing the program come alive.Fristick recalled seeing the coursework benefit students as she helped in testing new ideas and determining if they fit the needs and opportunities of the educators.“I am just so proud of what that product is, and how it’s been, and the people who were so helpful,” she said. “I’m just so grateful for this opportunity to say hello to all of you, and how proud I am of these traditions.”She commended Masloski for keeping the team spirit alive.Afterward, many educators, staff and former staff were invited to an open house at the VLA offices. Assistant Director Martariesa Logue welcomed them.“Thank you for supporting us and sending students our way.”Outreach Coordinator Brant Starkey said the VLA had much to be proud of, having served more than 133,000 students in the past two decades.“We want to work with organizations and schools,” he said. “We’re here for you.” Starkey speaks from experience as an educator within a correctional facility, where VLA coursework was ideally applicable when working with incarcerated youth from both Ohio and Pennsylvania.Starkey said VLA proved itself a program ahead of its time. During the COVID-19 pandemic when online education became widespread, VLA’s existing practices and resources served educators and students well.“That was something that needed to be recognized,” he said.“I can’t even tell you how proud I am to be part of this organization,” Starkey said.He commended those who oversaw VLA’s conception and growth, saying today’s staffers were standing on the shoulders of those who came before.Guests included Harrison Central Elementary Assistant Principal Donnie Madzia. He said VLA is often used in his school, and he is arranging a visit of VLA staff to the school to make teachers more aware of the tools on offer. He was interested in hearing how VLA has grown. “That’s pretty impressive.”Also present was Vance Miller, director of the Jefferson County Alternative School. Miller commended VLA’s accessibility and the quick response time of staff to any technical questions. VLA is also convenient in allowing parents to check students’ progress.“VLA has been great, not only for our students but for our parents and our teachers as well. It’s very user-friendly,” he said. “This is my fourth year. We’ve used VLA since Day One and it’s grown so much.”He is looking forward to reviewing the updated course catalogue and seeing how it will benefit his students.Sharon Doty began work at VLA in 2004 and saw its growth alongside the march of technology. She was with VLA through 2013 and still makes regular use of the program as she works with students.“They have so much interactive growth,” she said. “Not just go in and read the question and answer it. They can interact and learn through the multimedia that’s available.”VLA has given students more opportunities to complete a course, and teachers more avenues to reach them.“I liked that it was an individualized program where we could give the student feedback on problems that they missed.”Doty said some of the math lessons she generated are still being used by VLA.The R. Larry George Training Annex is located at 1913 Estelle Ave., Steubenville.VLA serves all students including those who are credit deficient, home bound, or home schooled. JCESC VLA can serve as a stand-alone program or implemented within a district’s already existing curriculum. To learn more about the JCESC Virtual Learning Academy, visit the website at https://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/vla.aspx or contact VLA staff at [email protected] or 740.283.3347 ext. 100.Photo Caption:The Jefferson County Educational Service Center Virtual Learning Academy team celebrates 20 years of providing top-tier teaching tools to educators nationwide and beyond. Pictured from left are Director Mark Masloski, Assistant Director Martariesa Logue, instructional designer Bonnie Moore, and intervention specialist and teacher/mentor Patty Ferrell. In back, from left are tech support Cody Westling, instructional designer David Moore, and Outreach Coordinator Brant Starkey.

Resident Educator District Coordinator Meeting

GERD (Gifted) Meeting

Resident Educator Mentor Refresher

Resident Educator New Mentor Training