Superintendent’s Conference Day Was a Day of Learning for Bedford Teachers and Staff

During Superintendent’s Conference Day, Bedford Central School District teachers and staff participated in a Learning Symposium designed to help grow new ideas together in support of all learners.

In planning for the event, Amy Fishkin, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, sent out a call for proposals to facilitate ideas around the pillars of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and the district’s Portrait of a Graduate. The theme for the day was “Breaking Barriers: Proactive Systems of Support,” and sessions were built around three key themes: Academic (thinking skills: critical thinker and problem solver), Social-Emotional (interpersonal skills: effective communicator and collaborator and empathetic global citizen) and Behavioral (personal skills: adaptability and having integrity).

Proposals were reviewed by the Professional Learning Team, and nearly 30 different 45 to 60-minute sessions led by Bedford teachers and staff were offered. Topics ranged from AI and building a thinking classroom to de-escalation strategies, the power of play, and college and career readiness and financial literacy. In addition, Aaron Lanou, an inclusive education consultant, led multiple workshops as well as a kindergarten-specific session in the afternoon.

Teachers, teaching assistants, and teacher aides chose three sessions, one from each theme, before heading back to their buildings for collaboration. Clerical staff were offered website and ParentSquare training, and safety monitors met with Joe Starace, the district’s new Safety Coordinator.

Food trucks were available between morning and afternoon sessions when everyone began to make the move from Fox Lane High School back to their home buildings.

“These sessions were simply outstanding, and I appreciate so many giving so selflessly to the development of colleagues,” Superintendent Dr. Rob Glass said in a note to staff after having popped into some of the workshops. “Bedford Central is a truly special place filled with special people!”

The feedback from participants echoed Dr. Glass’ sentiments. Overall, feedback indicated that the sessions were informative, well-organized, and featured knowledgeable, engaging presenters. Many teachers noted that they learned a lot of useful strategies that could be implemented in their classrooms with ease.

As far as opportunities for improvement, the biggest takeaway from feedback was that staff want to get deeper into the “how” by doing more hands-on learning, a sentiment Fishkin is already thinking about for January’s sessions.

Fishkin, who worked hard to pull the day together, thanked all of the people who worked behind the scenes to make the day possible.

“Thank you to our presenters for their amazing facilitation of learning,” she said. “Thank you to Dr. Toni Ann Carey and Dana Keith for their partnership in developing the vision and structure for the day. Thank you to Dave Gee, Jason Spector, and Fox Lane High School custodians for the technology and room setup. Thank you to Amanda DeSerio, Bedford Staff Development Center, and the Professional Learning Team for their collaboration. Thank you to Christy McGinn for arranging our food trucks for lunchtime. Thank you to Stacy Ferraro for all the behind-the-scenes work you did to make today happen.”