Music and physical education teachers from across the Lake Union gathered Oct. 20 for a day of professional development and networking hosted by the Lake Union Conference Education Department.
The training brought together 12 teachers as part of the department’s annual Discover, Learn, Grow (DLG) initiative, which provides subject-specific professional development for junior and senior academy educators. Each year, the department rotates subject areas to give teachers opportunities to sharpen their skills and connect with colleagues who teach similar courses.
The day began at the Lake Union office with worship led by local musicians Kevin and Simon Brown, followed by a presentation on the brain and learning by Charity Garcia, Andrews University associate professor and director of curriculum and instruction.
Teachers then traveled to Andrews University for specialized training led by university faculty and staff.
Music educators met with professors Carla Trynchuk, Max Keller, Byron Graves and Stephen Zork for sessions on teaching beginning violinists, selecting appropriate instruments, improving band performance and strengthening choral instruction.
Physical education teachers gathered at the Andreasen Center for Wellness for sessions on developing personalized fitness plans, teaching goal setting and incorporating stretching and mobility into instruction. Presenters included Daron Raynor, assistant manager at the Andreasen Center and Rachel Keele, director of University Wellness and the Andreasen Center.
Beyond the classroom instruction, participants especially valued the opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow educators, reconnect with former teachers and mentors, and build professional relationships.
According to Lake Union Education Director Nicole Mattson, feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with most survey respondents rating the day a five out of five.
Philip Byrd of Indiana Academy appreciated the experience so much that he asked whether the training could be offered annually. Another participant noted that opportunities to connect with teachers in the same subject areas across the Lake Union are rare, making the gathering particularly meaningful.
The day concluded with an optional visit to the Andreasen Center’s spa and hot tub, giving teachers an opportunity for relaxation and self-care before returning home.
Photos by Dave Sherwin
