Educators and others interested in education from around the Tennessee Valley are invited to attend the third annual EdCamp Gig City at Baylor School on Saturday, May 13 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The event, which is free to all participants, uses an “unconference” format created by the attendees at the beginning of the event to target their specific interests, passions, and questions. “This leads to timely and relevant smaller group discussions that enhance the overall professional development experience,” said Michael Stone, STEM director of Innovative Learning at the Public Education Foundation. “All K-12 teachers, administrators, district leaders, public and private school staff, post-secondary educators, and community education advocates will benefit from the collaboration and exchange of ideas.”
According to the EdCamp website, Edcamps are “organic, participant-driven professional learning experiences for educators across the country and worldwide.” The idea of EdCamps was created in 2010 by a group of teachers and has evolved into a grassroots movement that allows educators to learn based on their passions.
Locally, the EdCamp Gig City event was created by Allison Fuller-Mulloy, who taught with the Hamilton County Department of Education. “Now in its fourth year, it is supported and planned by individuals in public and private education that desire to see opportunities for collaboration and professional development in a more personalized way,” said Julie Davis, a committee member and instructional technologist with Chattanooga Christian School.
In addition to Ms. Davis, the committee includes educators Karen Adsit, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Greg Bagby, Barger Academy of Fine Arts; Jim David, Chattanooga STEM School; Julie King, Baylor School; Daniel Millbanks, Girls Preparatory School; Amy Myhan, Brown Middle School; Kimberly Perry-Elbakidze, Red Bank Middle School; and Michael Stone, Public Education Foundation.
To register, or to learn more about EdCamp Gig City, go to: edcampgigcity.com/