Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts

Our biggest expenditures align to our strategic goals of professional learning and advocacy. The innovation summit is the premiere professional learning conference in southwest Missouri and possibly Missouri. Over 800 participants engaged in sessions around innovation and instructional strategies that promote learning and rethinking of practice within the current educational system. The two nationally renown keynote speakers brought to southwest Missouri new ideas and research to both inform and inspire grit and change. Many of the member Districts are in small, rural communities with little opportunity for their teachers to experience this type of event. Additionally, local educators present excellent sessions where successful strategies are shared. Networking with other educators is a natural product of such an event. The innovation summit provides all educators a sense of hope and motivation as they start the new School year. The professional learning expenditures throughout the year are designed to utilize national experts, local experts, and provide networking opportunities for members to grow and learn together. Bringing educators together to collaborate provides a context that builds the capacity of all educators with support. The professional learning opportunities provide for all educators the opportunity to engage at a level that is appropriate and connected to their personal learning needs. A variety of learning sessions were provided meeting content, pedagogical, and social/emotional needs of the educators. The constant contact newsletters, website, and social media channels inform and promote the learning opportunities. The advocacy focus successfully launched the teacher proud campaign, where great teacher stories were shared on the second tuesday of the month across the region. Around 40 Districts engaged in lifting up the teaching profession. Additionally, the gokey communicators program was initiated to build the capacity of teachers and community members to effectively discuss and promote the work of teachers and the value of the education profession.