Summer Professional Development - Always Learning, Always Growing!

This summer, school was in session for our faculty! While June and July are filled with rest, travel, and family time, it is also a season for learning and growing. Many of our teachers took advantage of professional development opportunities all over North America. Various seminars, conferences, trainings, and sessions help faculty hone skills, enrich pedagogy, and enhance classroom strategies. Professional development is critical to advancing student success in and beyond the school building. Saint James teachers know we are always learning and always growing. #wearesaintjamesschool

Mr. Jeremy Turner, middle school STEM teacher, attended The Vex IQ Workshop in Auburn, AL in July.
High School English teacher Dr. Catherine Winn visited Western Kentucky University’s AP Summer Institute. Dr. Winn will be teaching our brand new section of AP Psychology this 2023-24 academic year.
High School AP teacher Dr. Amanda Ousley served as an AP Chemistry reader in Salt Lake City, Utah. Grading AP exams allows faculty to see the other side of the AP Exams process and were able to offer their expertise in their subject fields.
High School history teacher Kiki Hughes attended the AP Summer Institute at Howard University. Mrs. Hughes will be teaching our brand new section of AP African American Studies this 2023-24 academic year.
Venna Everett, Middle School history teacher, presented at the Innovative Schools Summit in Atlanta. This K-12 conference focuses on transforming school climate and innovative teaching strategies.
Dr. Amanda Ousley attended the ChemEd Conference at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. This biannual conference for chemistry teachers focuses on innovative teaching methods, critical thinking, and collaboration.
Elementary music teacher, Mr. Will Reese, led sessions during the Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts Music Institute in June.
#wearesaintjamesschool

Dr. Catherine Winn visited Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky for the AP Summer Institute.

“Offering AP Psychology is such an exciting opportunity for me and for all of the Saint James students, and learning more about the course through the AP training seminar has only made me more eager to get started! In addition, Kentucky was a beautiful state with incredible people, and I am so grateful that I was able to explore Mammoth Cave and visit the Corvette Museum while I was there.”

— Dr. Catherine Winn, at the AP Summer Institute at Western Kentucky University

Mrs. Hughes at the AP African American Studies Summer Institute at Howard University in Washington, DC.

Mr. Jeremy Turner at the VEX IQ Coaches Refresh Workshop at Auburn University.

Mrs. Venna Everett was a session leader at the Innovative Schools Summit in Atlanta.

“I presented “Are There Any Humanities Growing Amongst The STEM’s?” at the Innovative Schools Summit in Atlanta. In this presentation, I took the opportunity to discuss the importance of teaching history in our schools because it is lacking! We need to bring history to life for our students because that is how they learn wonderful life lessons from people in the past and events from the past. They can learn what to do and what not to do. it was an exciting opportunity!”

— Venna Everett, MS History Teacher