Grant Career Center Teacher Academy students Kelsey Keeton, Casey Posey, Sarah VanOver, Toshia Reffit, Kyle Neal, Sammi Gregory, Lindsay Kennedy, Mackenzie Turner, and Rachel Heflin complete a hands-on learning project with their lunchtime building blocks during their professional development day.
Grant Career Center Teacher Academy students recently participated in a professional development workshop featuring nationally renowned speaker Ann Anzalone.

Nine Teacher Academy members attended the seminar along with other students from across the region.

The seminar, held at Clark State College in Springfield, Ohio, included a presentation titled, “Developing Minds One Student at a Time.” This presentation addressed the impact of brain research on child development and learning theories.

Students learned about the importance of play and physical movement in the development of problem-solving skills.

Students practiced strategies for helping young people integrate both sides of the brain, including the “puppet” and the “cross-crawl.” Class members saw demonstrations on how to use recitation and writing to improve reading comprehension and to optimize memory as well as learning about the importance of nutrition, sleep, and stress management.

Students interacted with students from other career centers as they reviewed what they learned and played games designed to improve brain speed and capacity.

Students enjoyed lunch catered by Subway and won several door prizes donated by program advisors. Workshop participants included Teacher Academy instructor Mrs. Julie Crozier and students Sammi Gregory, Rachel Heflin, Kelsey Keeton, Lindsay Kennedy, Kyle Neal, Casey Posey, Toshia Reffit, Mackenzie Turner, and Sarah Van Over.