Nearly 500 educators from across the WEMO Conference came together at Rich Hill on September 28 for a day of professional learning, collaboration, and connection.
Educators from Midway, Archie, Drexel, Osceola, Lakeland, Appleton City, Rich Hill, Jasper, and Liberal filled the building for the conference-wide professional development day. The event featured nationally recognized educator and speaker Gerry Brooks, who brought his trademark humor, energy, and perspective to the WEMO educators in attendance.
Brooks presented to the full group and also spent time in separate breakout sessions with elementary and secondary educators. Throughout the rest of the day, participants moved into smaller sessions covering a variety of educational topics and had opportunities to collaborate with colleagues from other WEMO schools.
One participant said a particularly meaningful message from Brooks was the importance of leading with empathy.
“We never know what someone else may be going through, and someday we may be the ones who need that same grace, understanding, dignity, and respect,” the participant shared. “I also loved the reminder to prioritize relationships over being right—and to put on our own oxygen masks first so we can be there for others.”
The opportunity to bring educators from nine districts together was also an important part of the day. Teachers and staff were able to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and build relationships beyond their own districts.
“It was a valuable opportunity to hear from a nationally recognized speaker, connect with other educators in the WEMO Conference, and learn from one another,” one attendee said.
Hosting nearly 500 adult learners also required a district-wide effort from Rich Hill staff. In the days leading up to the event and throughout Monday, staff members from across the district helped prepare spaces, post signage, coordinate hallways and transitions, welcome and direct visitors, host collaborative lunches, facilitate sessions, troubleshoot needs throughout the building, and return classrooms and common areas to normal at the end of the day.
Their work did not go unnoticed.
Feedback from visiting educators repeatedly described the day as well planned, organized, and easy to navigate.
“Everything went right.”
“Smooth transitions, well planned.”
“I was amazed at how well everything flowed today.”
Another attendee noted, “The Rich Hill hosts knew where to go and were great at helping the rest of us find our way. The spaces were set up well and things transitioned better than I expected.”
From the staff members greeting visitors in their Rich Hill shirts to those directing traffic through the hallways, preparing spaces, coordinating meals, hanging signs, moving tables and chairs, presenting sessions, and handling countless details behind the scenes, the day was a team effort.
Thank you to the entire Rich Hill R-IV staff for helping us welcome our neighboring WEMO schools and making Rich Hill a great place for nearly 500 educators to spend a day learning together.
