Several Beaches Campus faculty members took part in professional development opportunities over the summer, gaining valuable strategies and certifications to bring back to their classrooms. Brooklyn Brecklin, second grade teacher, participated in Balance Auditory Vision Exercises (BAVX) training through Florida Kids Therapy Services.

Denise Cinnamond, Learning Specialist, attended a Building Thinking Classrooms workshop offered by Mathodology.

Sarah Hartley, Music Director at the Beaches Campus, was awarded a Lastinger Summer Scholars Fund scholarship through ESJ to complete her Orff Schulwerk certification. She attended the Orff Summer Institute at the University of Memphis, where she completed the final phase of her training. The Orff Schulwerk approach integrates music, movement, drama, and speech to engage students in dynamic, hands-on learning.

Kate Gomes, fifth grade teacher, recently completed two rounds of professional development focused on McGraw Hill AR, an innovative augmented reality platform that brings core subjects to life in the classroom. This training provided guidance in integrating AR activities into lessons for meth, science, social studies and language arts. McGraw Hill AR offers short, standards-aligned activities designed to engage students through immersive, interactive learning experiences. These activities are best suited for students in grade 3 and up and are accessible on both iPads and Chromebooks. AR lessons follow a consistent instructional flow: Observe, Explore, Evaluate.

In addition, all faculty and staff members involved with the education and care of Pre-K and kindergarten students will spend two days next week training in The Gesell Program in Early Childhood, which will deepen understanding and practices regarding the healthy development of early childhood students. Finally, the Beaches Campus faculty and staff completed First Aid and CPR training earlier this week, reinforcing the school’s commitment to student safety and well-being.