The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Last week, Big Sandy Schools let out midday on Wednesday and did not have classes on Thursday. The school calendar identified these as MEA Teachers’ Conference days, though at other times throughout the school year, they are labeled “In-Service” days. I am sure I’m not alone in wondering what in-service days are and why schools shut down for the MEA Teachers’ Conference. I spoke with Big Sandy Superintendent Dan Schrock about the scheduled days.

“The state says you have to have a certain number of pupil-instruction-related days or what we call PIR days.” PIR days are mandatory professional development or training days. They are similar to CEUs that other professions are required to earn in order to maintain credentials. The conference last week is one option for teachers to meet the State PIR requirement. Dan went on to explain: “We did Mental Health and First Aid for Adults at the onset of the year. That was one PIR day where we brought in a guest presenter. It was grant funded. If you have a training that’s on a relevant topic, and you can bring somebody in so you’re not sending all your people out to travel because it gets expensive, you’re better off to do that.”

The MEA Teachers’ Conference last week is an annual conference for teachers throughout the state with speakers, workshops, and other opportunities. “What you value the most out of the training is actually the relationships, connections, talking to people, and relating to others who do the same thing you do. That’s a hard thing with teachers and administrators in a small schools, like Big Sandy, we’re oftentimes on an island. So when we can collaborate with others, that puts wind in your sails as a professional. To be able to have the time to get together with colleagues, that are typically on an island of their own, is really refreshing. That’s what the benefit is of these conferences.” The energy that comes from interacting with other teachers sparks new ideas, exciting new directions, and give a much needed boost to professionals working in a challenging field.

Dan also explained that the networking aspect opens doors for teachers to learn from other professional educators. “I learned about grant opportunities for my former business manager at a conference. I also learned about a program that will help teachers who are wanting to become certified, that helps pay for that certification.” Those connections and opportunities to share professional knowledge provides incalculable benefits at the classroom level.

In terms of his philosophy regarding the PIR days and providing maximally effective opportunities to our teachers, Dan explained, “The best training is training that someone is individually motivated to receive. If somebody comes to me and says: ‘Hey, I want to do this training and I’d like it to take the place on the two days in the fall,’ If it’s a value to them and I see a value added, then by all means. I want them to get the most out of the training days that we have in our schedule.” This has led to teachers completing their PIR days by taking their own initiative in engaging educational opportunities or pursuits. The advantage being that the teacher who is investing in something they are passionate about will take more away from the experience and more readily apply it in their work. This is a win for teachers and students.

The PIR days, which the kids love because they get a couple of extra days off each quarter, are integral to keeping educators energized, inspired, and in helping them to keep their professional skills honed in order to bring the best possible education to our kids.