This summer, several St. Mark’s Campus educators expanded their knowledge and skillsets through enriching professional development experiences made possible by the Lastinger Summer Scholars Fund. From Iceland to Texas, faculty members explored innovative approaches to wellness, mindfulness, and educational technology. Yaranel Abreu-Ruiz, PE Instructor, and Megan Trumpler, Media Specialist, attended a conference in Iceland called “Smart Teachers Play More” to learn wellness and stress management for students and teachers. In this week-long course, they learned creative ways to integrate movement and mindfulness into the school day. They also had the opportunity to visit Icelandic schools to see how they are designed and operate. Yaranel and Megan were the only two Americans among 120 teachers from over 15 countries. Laura Fackler, Dean of Students and Science Instructor, traveled to San Antonio, Texas, for the “International Society for Technology and Innovation and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Conference (ISTELive 25).” ISTELive 25 brought together thousands of educators, industry leaders, and innovators from around the globe. The conference focused on practical applications of technology in education, with a particular emphasis this year on leveraging artificial intelligence to inspire innovation in teaching and learning.

Established in 2000 through a gift from Delores and Allen Lastinger, the Lastinger Summer Scholars Fund provides professional development opportunities over and above those required, and benefits not only the faculty members’ educational needs but also the expanded community of Episcopal School of Jacksonville. 

To learn more about additional faculty professional development that occurred this summer, click here.