Sparks Experience an Amazing Opportunity for New Teachers

Posted on 01. Jul, 2010 by in Featured, News

The Meridian Education Association, in collaboration with Regions 3 and 8 recently invited 25 teachers to participate in a new teacher retreat in McCall, Idaho.  The 3 day New Teacher Retreat, called “Sparks” is an invitation-only event for IEA members in their first 5 years of teaching.  These 25 teachers were nominated by their peers for invitation because they showed great leadership potential and professional promise and were members of the IEA in regions 3, 8 and 9.

The retreat was planned and facilitated by new teachers who had previously attended a Sparks retreat.  The facilitators/trainers at this summer’s retreat were Alicia Bradshaw, Kjirsten Lawton, Kelli Cullen, Brenda Castle, and Summer Radke.

Teachers invited to attend were asked to answer a survey so that the agenda could be built on the common needs and concerns of the group.  The new teachers attending the retreat slept in bunk beds and sleeping bags, ate s’mores around a campfire and created personal collages on a balcony overlooking the Payette lake, all while discussing issues like classroom management, staying organized in the classroom and finding ways to manage their time and their stress.

Jennifer Weddel, a first year teacher at Andrus Elementary shared her experience at the Sparks retreat. “The Sparks retreat was an amazing opportunity to not only learn about my chosen craft but to connect with others. Being surrounded by other caring, compassionate, creative minds inspired me to push myself even more.  This retreat showed me that the teachers of this area are full of passion to help children and the skills we learned and the connections we made will only help us to be better teachers.”

“Sparks was both rejuvenating and informative.  I’m not normally one to enjoy large groups of people, but I found individuals who I hope to keep up with for a long time.  I’m so glad I went and would recommend it to any teacher, no matter how on top of their game they might be.” Rebekah Marquez, Rocky Mountain High School

“My experience at SPARKS this spring was very positive.  It was great to get to know other new teachers who were going through the same “growing pains” of being new to the profession.  There are only one or two newer teachers at my school, so it was good to get viewpoints from teachers from other schools in other districts.” Mandy Hansen, Lewis and Clark Middle School

You can see some pictures from this retreat here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/meridianea/sets/72157624350338942/

For more information about Sparks, contact MEA/IEA Region 9 office at 888-1192 or twaltner@idahoea.org.

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