Beaver Creek, CO – While students were collecting back-to-school supplies and gearing up for the first day of school, Eagle County Schools’ (ECS) teachers were spending quality time being motivated by well-known and well-respected educational speakers. The two-day teacher training conference on August 28 and 29, which was held at the Gerald R. Ford Hall and the Vilar Center for the Arts in Beaver Creek, provided these educators with inspiration and knowledge to engage their students in the classroom.

Colorado Commissioner of Education Dwight Jones, Dr. Foster Cline, Dr. Robert Marzano, Simone Willingham and Dr. Bethanie Tucker were just a few of the nationally-recognized and well-renowned speakers at the ECS conference. Teachers were excited to hear that Dr. Marzano would speak about educational books they (teachers) currently use quite often in their classrooms. “It was the first time ECS provided a professional conference opportunity in conjunction with back-to-school training for teachers,” said Tammy Boeke, Counselor at Eagle Valley High School. “There were exceptional, dynamic speakers that provided us with useful information that we will definitely be able to utilize in our classrooms.”

Heidi Hanssen, Principal at Edwards Elementary School, spoke very highly of many of the motivational speakers at the conference. “Dr. Foster Cline’s workshop taught me how to encourage children to progress in the areas they need improvement in and to understand the differences between being assertive and aggressive,” she stated. “In addition, I now have a better grasp on questions I plan on asking my students when they visit the office for behavioral reasons; questions that help take the bad energy out of the conversation to result in a positive, learning outcome.” Keynote speakers and workshops focused on teacher leadership and institutionalizing of effective instruction, engaging students from poverty in class activities, classroom management and learning instructional strategies that maximize memory and minimize forgetting.

The teacher conference concluded with an enlightening presentation from Dr. Sandra Smyser, Superintendent of Eagle County Schools, and Dwight Jones. “I look at the list of speakers and these are some of the top leaders and influencers in the world of education,” said Jones. “You have been honored and respected in this capacity, and what’s great about this conference is now you are ready to jump-start your first day of school for a lot of young people.”

Many local organizations donated to the teacher training event with the importance of motivating and engaging our students in mind. Organizations such as Beaver Creek Resorts, Snowboard Outreach Society, Gore Range Natural Science School, Slifer, Smith, & Frampton, Public Education Foundation of Eagle County, The Parents Handbook and many more contributed to the successful outcome of the conference. “I have never worked in a district that has had such high quality expectations for everyone,” said Dr. Smyser. “We have to figure out how to change the educational status quo for our kids. What a better way to start than with an amazing conference to motivate our staff.”

For more information, contact Traci Wodlinger, Director of Professional Development, at traci.wodlinger@eagleschools.net.

Educating Every Student for Success