Summer Learning, Networking Unfolds in Southwestern Colorado

June 14, 2017

CEI recently partnered with the San Juan BOCES, Fort Lewis College and the Three Rivers Education Foundation to present the 5th Annual Growing Together Summit (GTS 2017). The event was the result of the extraordinary collaboration of the nine school districts that comprise the San Juan BOCES and brought more than 225 participants from the Four Corners region together for professional development and networking opportunities.

“The Summit taps into the deep well of expertise in our region from preschool, through higher education,” said Adrea Bogle, Executive Director of Exceptional Student Services at San Juan BOCES. “Participants shared learning experiences with colleagues who face similar rewards and challenges that occur within rural communities.”

Sessions covered a range of topics, including Science Inquiry in the School Yard, Suicide Intervention Training, Preparing Native American Students for Post-Secondary Success and an Educator Shark Tank, where contestants pitched innovative ideas from their classrooms.

Teachers had some seat time in student desks when a panel of nine high school students held a discussion with educators and fielded questions about what is important to students as they follow the path towards graduation. Panel members were not shy about sharing what is important to them and how a school should be!

The event also served as an ECET2 (Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers) event for all regional educators. Designed for teachers by teachers, ECET2 harnesses teachers’ passion for serving their students and their intellectual hunger to solve the challenges in their profession. It creates the connections and supports for teachers to become decision-makers, innovators, and leaders — not just in their classrooms but also in their school, district, state, and even nationally.

CEI Vice President Alex Carter was inspired by the energy at the event. “It is refreshing and exciting to see an entire region of educators come together to collaborate on how to better support the students they serve.  It was a terrific event.”