Moving into an online learning model is not only a learning curve for students, but for staff as well. Teachers throughout Hemet Unified School District were able to sign up for over 100 training sessions in its first-ever TechFest Training Day.
HUSD staff was able to identify common practices and skills teachers would need in order to be successful in teaching in an online learning model. Throughout the summer, teachers and professional development staff members worked together to create the first six-weeks of lessons for staff. These lessons were created for each grade, subject, and learning level.
Trainings during the HUSD TechFest were available for beginning, intermediate, and advanced skill levels. Staff was able to learn how to create a Google Classroom, use Google various extensions to further engage students in their learning, best-practices to personally connect with students, how to incorporate social-emotional learning, and much more! In addition to the TechFest, teachers had an opportunity to enroll in additional online learning trainings during the week of August 7th.
“I felt pretty tech-savvy going into these trainings, so I was shocked by how much I learned and how many useful tools I am already using! This district has so many talented staff members and learning from them in this format was invaluable,” said West Valley High School’s BARR Coordinator Amber Bohac.
Teachers weren’t the only ones to join in the training. Governing Board Vice President, Stacey Bailey popped into a few of the trainings to offer her gratitude to the teachers and staff members of HUSD. She shared with staff that because of their hard work and dedication students throughout the district will have access to high-quality teaching.
HUSD recognized that its families were having a hard time navigating the online learning model as well. So, in order to help prepare for online learning, Hemet Unified staff has created training for families. Families can go to its Parent Resource Center to access various trainings to help them navigate online learning.
Thank you to Derek Rouch, the mastermind behind TechFest, for providing an opportunity for our teachers to feel more comfortable as they begin the school year in online learning. Also thank you to the teachers who worked together to create the first six weeks of work, the presenters, and our teachers for stepping outside their comfort zone to ensure a successful start to the 2020-21 school year.