Focusing on Self-Renewal: WNY JMT Coordinator Retreat Held Virtually
Professional Developers across Erie 1, Erie 2 Chautauqua Cattaraugus, Orleans Niagara and Cattaraugus Allegany BOCES once again gathered to coordinate with colleagues and enhance their professional development (PD) prowess.
This is the second year the retreat has been held. Last fall, the inaugural event put a large focus on developing relationships between coordinators across the BOCES. Now that those building blocks are in place, this year’s virtual event focuses on “sharpening the saw.”
“Last year, we were able to incorporate face to face team building and learning experiences that encouraged people to mix and mingle in addition to our learning sessions. Now we have to arrange those meetings since everyone will be virtual,” Jessica Karches, WNYRIC supervisor of leadership, mentoring and professional development, said.
Organizers from all four BOCES set out to provide opportunities to:
- Expand professional developers’ learning around adult learning and educational equity.
- Connect with specialty-alike colleagues from other BOCES.
- Participate in conference-like workshops presented by colleagues from across the four BOCES.
Keynote speaker Dr. Deidre Williams brought a unique perspective to her address, titled, “Becoming a Leader of Powerful Learning.” Williams began her career in public health and went on to be a middle school principal in the eighth largest school district in the US. Under her leadership, the school transformed from a twenty-year failing school to a competitive community school of promise offering advanced courses and state-recognized STEM programs. She is a dynamic speaker and leader who continues to enhance learning on best practice for adult learners and educational equity.
“This was a real opportunity for professional developers from across the region to come together and discuss what professional development will look like and the tools we will use in this time. It’s a time when we get to enhance our skills that we use in component districts throughout the year,” Karches said.