News & Events
Check back often for news, events and information from the Ohio Council of Community Schools.
Teacher Appreciation Week 2020
Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated each year during the first week of May. This year, teachers in Ohio embraced creativity and ingenuity when faced with a new set of challenges considering COVID-19. With the closure of school buildings, our brick-and-mortar schoolteachers continued to play a vital role in the education and wellbeing of students. Virtual schoolteachers, not new to distance-learning, offered to share their best practices with brick-and-mortar teachers.
Soon after the closure of Ohio school buildings, Sunbridge Schools’ Superintendent Joe Cordella made certain that his students, primarily from low-income families, were still able to receive meals. Teachers delivered those meals directly to students’ homes.
Performance Academies teachers and staff recognized the need of their community. While keeping safe social distancing practices, they volunteered with their families to bring food donations to the Ronald McDonald House of Columbus.
Ms. Smith, the Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy Dance Teacher, did not let distance-learning stop her from encouraging students to have active minds and bodies. She created an interactive YouTube video series practicing things like mindfulness, yoga, dance, and choreography.
When Ohio Connections Academy students were told that their art exhibition was cancelled at the Columbus Museum of Art, Ohio Connections Academy art teachers paved the way in creating the First Annual Virtual Art Exhibit. OCA invited students from all over the state to submit artwork.
These examples are only the beginning; there are many deserving teachers who also go above and beyond for their students. We are so thankful for our teachers’ commitment to student success. It is hard to find words that adequately express the gratitude we feel, so the OCCS staff wishes to simply say, “Thank you for everything that you do.”
