Welcome Back, Ohio Educators!

Welcome to the 2025–26 school year! My name is Paul Craft, and I am currently in my second year as Ohio’s 40th Superintendent of Public Instruction. I am feeling more energized than ever. After decades as a teacher, building and district leader, including more than ten years as a superintendent, I am honored to help ensure that each of Ohio’s 1.6 million students is taught every day by well-qualified educators who exhibit proper standards of moral character and judgment. With that mission in mind, I am sharing a few thoughts and resources as our schools prepare for the year ahead.

As you transition from convocations to classrooms, here is a gentle but important reminder about social media and professional conduct: digital posts and text interactions can quickly lead to complicated situations. Use your opening meetings to review expectations and share the articles from our Office of Professional Conduct, including direct links to the Code of Professional Conduct and related guidance.

Additionally, please note that all candidates who hold an active Pre-Service Teacher permit have been enrolled the state licensure and Rapback systems. Districts may now rely on the state-issued Pre-Service Teacher permit as proof of a current background check; no additional background checks are needed even if the candidate changes districts during the school year.

As you plan, please remind staff to submit licensure and permit applications early. Applications for the 2026–27 school year open on November 1. Application instructions and requirements are available on our licensure renewal webpages. The State Board of Education, through the Offices of Educator Licensure and Effectiveness and Professional Conduct, remains available to assist with licensure matters, background checks, professional conduct inquiries, and related needs that support our shared mission. Do not hesitate to contact us.

Wishing you a great start to this school year. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can assist you in any way.

Four Finalists for 2026 Ohio Teacher of the Year Selected

The State Board of Education of Ohio is proud to announce the four finalists for the next Ohio Teacher of the Year:

Christopher Monsour, Tiffin City Schools.

Ronda Nisbet, New Lebanon Local Schools.

Chad Thatcher, Whitehall City Schools.

LeShun Collins, Orange City School District.

Stay tuned! The 2026 Ohio Teacher of the Year will be announced at the beginning of the school year.

Interim Principal License - NEW!

The new 1-Year Interim Principal 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 completed a traditional Ohio principal preparation program through an accredited college or university but have not successfully completed exam requirements for standard principal licensure. This license is valid in any employing Ohio school, district, or educational service center. Educators working under an Interim Principal license are considered properly certified for assistant principal and principal positions in the grade levels listed on the license. Please review eligibility requirements on the Interim Principal License webpage.

Resident Educator Requirements

Resident Educator license holders must complete all reading and phonics coursework listed as limitations on their license (in addition to the Resident Educator Program) before they may advance their license. Alternative Resident Educator license holders must complete all the requirements of their alternative pathway, including coursework, an approved professional development institute, and professional knowledge exam (in addition to the Resident Educator Program and teaching experience) before they may advance their license.

Licensure Code Provides Framework for Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators

The Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators provides the framework for professional conduct for all Ohio educators. This includes any person who holds or applies for a license through the State Board of Education, including teachers, aides, coaches, principals, and more. The Licensure Code was first adopted by the State Board in 2008, with updates being made and adopted in 2019. The Licensure Code is broken down into nine principles, covering topics like appropriate use of technology, criminal acts, and professional relationships with students, and provides a guide for conduct and possible disciplinary recommendations.

Professional Conduct Resources for Educators and Districts

The mission of the Office of Professional Conduct is to provide a safe environment where all Ohio students can thrive while ensuring the rights of licensed educators and maintaining the integrity of the teaching profession. To further that mission, the office is happy to provide resources for educators and districts to ensure all educators provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment for each child. These resources include: #ABConduct Tip Sheets on a variety of topics including social media, drugs and alcohol, broken contracts, professional boundaries, and mandatory reporting; the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators; Professional Conduct Scenarios for training sessions; Professional Conduct Procedures; Frequently Asked Questions; and more. Don’t forget that schools and districts are required to check the educator profile database regarding licensure status before hiring and are permitted to request referrals from the Office of Professional Conduct.

Rapback Enrollment Re-Affirmation for Bus/Van Drivers and Non-Licensed Personnel

Attention schools and districts with bus/van drivers and non-licensed personnel enrolled in the Rapback system through the State Board of Education. In order to ensure that only active personnel are enrolled in the system, schools and districts will be required to reaffirm their enrollees each school year. All currently enrolled bus/van drivers and non-licensed personnel from last school year who are associated to your school/district will be marked as “Pending” in the system overnight on August 31 into September 1. From September 1 through October 31, the Rapback Authorized Representative for your school/district will need to re-confirm any “Pending” drivers/non-licensed personnel who will be working during the 2025-2026 school year. After November 1, any drivers and non-licensed personnel who have not been re-confirmed by their school/district and are still “Pending” will be unenrolled from the Rapback system. For more detailed information on the timeline and detail for the re-affirmation process, and Rapback process for drivers and non-licensed personnel, please visit the Rapback webpage.