Faculty Participate in Professional Development Opportunities

Throughout January and early February, faculty on St. Mark’s Campus had the opportunity to attend professional conferences relating to music education, academic support, technology in the classroom, and early childhood development. They presented what they learned during a recent full-faculty meeting.

 

• Susanne Daily, Music Instructor, participated in sessions relating to poetry in the music classrooms, making connections through movement, and using books to enhance musical skills and reading development during the Florida Music Educators Association Conference in Tampa.

 

• Bridgett Stroud, Learning Specialist, took part in the SAIS Academic Support Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. She attended sessions relating to strategies to reduce student anxiety, how to apply executive function skills across curriculum, and dyscalculia and math learning disorder.

 

• Sarah Chitwood, Innovation Instructor,  Marianne Haferkamp, Kindergarten Instructor, and Megan Trumpler, Fifth Grade Instructor, all attended the Future of Education Technology Conference together with Munnerlyn and Beaches Campus faculty. They uncovered trends and themes in the future of tech ed, including immersive learning through AR/VR, STEAM+, and adaptive learning tools.

 

• Cary Benefield, Director of Pre-Primary, traveled to Orlando, Florida for the FCIS Early Childhood Institute Conference. The moving keynote speaker talked about how educators can be a part of the solution to mental health, substance abuse, and even violence in schools by teaching social and emotional intelligence.

 

“Everyone came back to campus energized and excited to share and implement what they learned,” said Beville Anderson, Head of Lower School, St. Mark’s Campus. “We look forward to providing additional professional development opportunities in the spring and over the summer.”