It's Back to School for Wythe County Educators!
It’s Back to School for Wythe County Educators! On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, more than 400 educators from Wythe County Public Schools (WCPS) attended the EduPrep conference held at Wytheville Community College (WCC).
EduPrep was designed to provide professional development opportunities for WCPS teachers and to create a venue for local educators to share new perspectives and discuss challenges and solutions. More than a dozen administrators and faculty from WCC and teachers and administrators from WCPS facilitated an all-day conference with subjects ranging from “Managing a Classroom” to “Effectively Integrating Technology into your Classroom Instruction.” Teachers in attendance earned development points toward license renewal.
In one of the many sessions, Jen Otey, WCPS Middle School Engineering and Computer Science teacher, presented “Melding Creativity and Technology in Your Classroom” to a variety of teachers to model how to use the Engineering Design Process as a means to use plugged (with electronics) and unplugged (without electronics) technologies to provide fun, creative, student- driven projects and activities for teaching any subject.
Mrs. Vaught said of the day’s events, “Today has been really exciting, but our biggest surprise today happened when Wythe County Sheriff Charles Foster, and Chief Deputy Anthony Cline attended and surprised teachers with 30 $250.00 gift cards. Names were drawn throughout the day, and $7,500.00 in funds for classroom supplies were given to the winning teachers. According to Chief Deputy Cline, the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) fundraised over the summer to raise additional funds for their “Shop Wythe a Cop” program, created by Cline in 2017. Cline stated, “We wanted to give back to the kids in Wythe County. What better way than to buy supplies for our educators who are teaching our youth.” Mrs. Vaught continued, “We truly appreciate the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office’s generosity and support. We continue to value our partnership with the WCSO and all of our School Resource Officers. Our teachers will put these funds to good use, and the new supplies purchased will go directly to benefit our Wythe County students.”
Chris Terry, Wayne Kirby, and Stu Vaught of the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office led sessions during the professional development day. They spoke to teachers about classroom and online safety and the current trends with substance abuse.
Speaking from 21 years of classroom teaching experience, Mr. Brandon Blankenship, Rural Retreat High School Principal, presented the “The Art of Teaching,” providing teachers with techniques in planning engaging lessons that help them find their own “art form” in the classroom. Blankenship said, “We appreciate the hospitality shown today by WCC. It was nice to see all the smiling faces on those who are excited to get back into the classroom and make a difference in a child’s life.”
The professional development day ended with a Vendor Fair where multiple businesses provided information and door prizes for teachers. “WCC and Wythe County Public Schools have a wonderful partnership in so many ways,” said Josh Floyd, WCC’s Coordinator of Dual Enrollment and one of the EduPrep planners. “Now in its fifth year, the annual EduPrep event is a perfect example involving this critical partnership. We are so pleased to host WCPS educators each August on campus for a full day of professional development and pivotal learning prior to the start of the academic year. Additionally, this year’s vendor fair featured 14 local businesses and non-profit organizations who spent a full afternoon supporting these hard-working individuals. Vendors provided valuable information and resources to educators as part of this wonderful event.”
School starts for Wythe County Public Schools on August 16.
Wytheville Community College Fall Semester begins on August 21. There is still time for students to register for Fall classes at WCC. Visit wcc.vccs.edu to find out more or call (276) 223-4700.
Interested in teaching?
WCC has a teacher education program. Call Susan Evans, Dean of Transfer and Educational Programs, at (276) 223-4740, for more information.
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Photo 1: Pictured: Shelbie Heldreth, WCPS Dual Enrollment Biology Teacher
Selena Hillenberg, WCPS English Teacher