Grand Valley, GRPS, Kent ISD partner for national Share Fair event

Grand Valley is partnering with Grand Rapids Public Schools and the Kent Intermediate School District to organize and host a unique professional development event for teachers from any school in the state.

The event, called Share Fair Nation, is one of just a few like it nationwide where teachers and national experts are brought together to share creative and innovative ideas about education. These professional development opportunities will be available to teachers from any school, regardless of classification as public, charter or private schools.

"This partnership is unique in that it focuses on helping teachers better educate kids in our state and our community," said Tim Wood, associate vice president for charter schools at Grand Valley. "This opportunity will help teachers from all schools to receive excellent training to enhance their classrooms."

Grand Rapids Public Schools and Kent Intermediate School District officials also said the unique, inclusive professional development program will help improve outcomes for students.

"A major part of the GRPS transformation plan success is due to our very intentional and strategic investments in our talent recruitment, retention and development," said GRPS superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal. "Share Fair presents a remarkable opportunity to bring in national experts to work with our teachers and school leaders to learn about best-shared practices between traditional and charter schools on how to improve instruction and student outcomes. I love that Grand Rapids is one of only a few cities in the country selected to host Share Fair." 

The professional development sessions will be coupled with STEM-focused activities for the general public which will take place at the "STEMisphere" at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Dates and times will be announced in the near future.

For more information, visit http://sharefairnation.org/events/michigan-2016/ or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/michigan-stemosphere-2016-november-12th-900-am-to-400-pm-tickets-27127049736