On Thursday, July 11, and Friday, July 12, 2024, the 2nd Annual NELA Teacher Symposium was held at the incredibleTower Place in Monroe, LA. Providing two dates to choose from this year put teachers in the driver’s seat allowing them to choose the date that worked best for them.
Having been a participant in the inaugural event, I had a good sense of what to expect. However, when my wake-up alarm went off, I thought, "This is my summer, I'm tired! Why am I working and doing school-related stuff?" This was a big sign that I needed to go, so I stopped hitting the snooze button, got out of bed, and put on my best Disney shirt. MAN, I AM SO GLAD THAT I DID!
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Top left to right: Dr. Alberta Brown-Green, 2nd Image: Sheila Jones, 3rd Image: My accountability partner, Ann Senn 53 year veteran teacher, 4th Image: Local teacher extraordinaire, Maggie Generoso, Bottom Left: My table mates, 2nd Image: Dr. Dwight Rhodes of Rhodes 2 Equity |
Faith Gremillion and her team orchestrated a professional development experience like no other. This event wasn't about learning the usual school tasks. Instead, it focused on self-care for teachers as individuals and human beings. We learned the importance of breathing techniques, recognizing and managing Stress Fatigue, and understanding the diverse personalities in our school communities, including students, colleagues, parents, and administrators. The emphasis was on replenishing ourselves so we could better support others. The presenters went beyond their sessions, engaging with attendees during meals and hosting informal discussions around town. It was truly a remarkable experience.
NEW ADDITIONS: 1. A Resource Expo was set up on the 2nd Floor of Tower Place. Several resource vendors provided information that could help the students, and their families, or provide teacher support. 2. An awesome festive photo-op was in the Resource Expo area. 3. Melanie Massey of MoJoy Studio (see article cover image) designed a collaborative art piece that attendees contributed to with the art being given away by raffle at the end of the event. Every detail was thoughtfully planned and Tower Place was the perfect place to host the event!
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend this phenomenal event. Networking with educators and administrators from across our region, not just our city or parish, was invaluable. Sharing knowledge and fostering growth among peers was a special aspect of the symposium. One highlight was meeting my new "Accountability Partner," Ann Senn, a dedicated 53-year veteran teacher returning to teach first grade because of her passion for it. Another major highlight was the classroom makeover awards. While last year's event featured a single $1,000 makeover, this year saw six $1,000 makeovers awarded, thanks to generous sponsors. Witnessing the joy on the teachers' faces was exhilarating. I eagerly anticipate the 2025 NELA Teacher Symposium and have no doubt it will surpass expectations, though Faith and her team have certainly set a high bar! (MAKE REMINDERS IN YOUR CALENDARS NOW FOR JULY 2025)
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