Hamilton County Schools hosts district-wide learning conference

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Thousands of teachers across Hamilton County came together for the HCS Professional Development Conference on Friday.  

“We are really excited to kick off our new school year with our inaugural Professional Learning Conference. About 6,000 Hamilton County school employees will be joining us this morning. We will start off with a pep rally and then we will go into our full day professional learning opportunities,’ said Steve Doremus, Communications Officer for Hamilton County Schools.

For the first time ever, all Hamilton County Schools were invited to the Convention Center for a district-wide launch for the new school year.

 Doremus explains why this conference is important. 

“We have heard for many years from our employees and our teachers, that they want options and choices for their professional learning opportunities,” said  Doremus. “This allows us to present many options in one place and one day.” 

Throughout the conference teachers received back-to-school insight from more than 100 group sessions and vendors. 

Dalewood Middle School Principal, Shalunda Shackelford says this conference means a lot to her and Hamilton County’s education.  

“This means everything to me. This shows as a first year principal that Hamilton County Schools is dedicated to our learning, dedicated to our growth, and dedicated to collaboration,” said Shackelford. “So I am really excited about what we have going on here.”

And after this conference, Doremus believes this upcoming school year will be exciting. 

“We hope they feel like they have had some choices in their professional learning opportunities and that they leave with good information, that they can take back to their classrooms throughout the school year,” Doremus concluded.