Sandy Hodgson – Denver, Colorado … As the school year has concluded in the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC), achievements and moments of growth can be celebrated. The 17 RMC schools across Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico graduated close to 160 students representing kindergarten, eighth grade, and high school.
The largest group of graduates was kindergarten with 58 students. The remaining graduates were divided between eighth grade and the high schools, Campion Academy and Mile High Academy (MHA) in Loveland and Highlands Ranch, Colorado, respectively.
“We congratulate our students and are proud of each one of them,” remarked Sandy Hodgson, RMC education assistant director.
And while the end of the school year typically signals the start of summer vacation for many, RMC educators remained committed to their professional growth and the continuous improvement of educational standards. Fifty educators from the Conference, including head teachers from the smaller schools, gathered for additional training led by the RMC Office of Education. This event, held from May 28-30 at MHA, was a testament to the educators’ dedication to excellence.
The training sessions for the head teachers were comprehensive, covering areas such as strategic planning, communication skills, problem-solving techniques, and overarching calendar planning. The training aimed to provide the head teachers with the tools and strategies needed to support student learning while also focusing on areas of administration within their communities.
In addition to training for RMC head teachers, over 40 other educators engaged in specialized training with Dr. Marie Alcock, focusing on Standards-Based Learning (SBL). Dr. Alcock’s expertise in the field of education in curriculum design, meaningful assessment practices, and questing has helped provide the teachers with innovative approaches to help their students learn. Since July of 2022, Dr. Alcock has been training RMC in professional development twice a year, usually in January and May. Dr. Alcock believes that “the science of teaching is an invitational art.”
Jordan Dubini, assistant men’s dean and English teacher at Campion Academy, remarked on what he enjoyed most about the training: “[It] was the flexibility of the guided work sessions that allowed everyone to work on what was most relevant to them. I also appreciated learning about the self-navigation tool which can be integrated into our classroom practice right away regardless of where we are on the SBL journey.”
The RMC educators’ dedication does not end with the close of the academic year. A dozen or more of the teachers are continuing their professional development through additional classes throughout the summer with some working towards their master’s degree. These ongoing efforts reflect RMC’s commitment to providing their students with the best possible education, rooted in the values of faith. By investing in their professional growth, RMC teachers exemplify lifelong learning and the pursuit of excellence that they strive to instill in our students.
As RMC celebrates the achievements of their graduates and the dedication of their educators, they look forward to another year of growth and success in their schools across the Conference. “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all our graduates and express our deepest gratitude to our educators for their unwavering commitment and passion,” expressed Hodgson.
Diane Harris, RMC superintendent of Education, is grateful for “the incredible passion and commitment of our educators. Their willingness to go above and beyond, even during the summer months, reflects deep dedication to our students and their futures. They are not only shaping the minds and hearts of our students but also strengthening the foundation of education within the Rocky Mountain Conference.”
—Sandy Hodgson is the RMC Education assistant director. Photos supplied.
