Growing Braves

Beyond Brave Logo

Beyond Brave – at the Indian Hill School District, that phrase could be the mantra for professional learning during the 2019-2020 school year. From podcasts to Twitter – Brave educators are learning in innovative ways outside the classroom.

“We still celebrate classroom experience with our staff through Braves Academy,” said Indian Hill Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Melissa Stewart. “We are also thinking outside the daily schedule to help our staff grow.” 

Dr. Stewart originated Beyond Brave – it is the name of her educational podcast available through iTunes. 

“Producing Beyond Brave pushed me out of my personal comfort zone – but it was well worth it to provide our staff opportunities to connect with fellow educators on topics that can improve the learning for our students,” said Stewart. “The most exciting part for me is to learn that our teachers listened to a podcast, and got an idea they were able to immediately implement into the classroom. That is priceless.”

Beyond Brave was available to staff members throughout the summer. Braves Academy – now in its third year – takes place Friday, Aug. 30. Attendees will enjoy more than 60 educational sessions presented by speakers from within the Indian Hill School District and outside professional organizations. Sessions focus on best instructional practices, innovation, brain health and mental wellness, and Courageous Conversations – exploring how mental health needs, gender identification, and race manifest within the school setting and impact school culture and classroom practices.

“We have developed such an affection for the excitement of the Braves Academy day,” said Stewart. “It really is a celebration of learning.”

New to the Indian Hill School District this year – Twitter chats. Scheduled to take place four times during the school year, the Twitter chats will utilize the #BraveChat hashtag to facilitate virtual question and answer sessions designed to connect Indian Hill educators with educators across the country. Indian Hill’s first #BraveChat takes place Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 7 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., and will feature Indian Hill Primary School Principal Jim Nichols (@IHPSPrincipal) and Indian Hill Superintendent Kirk Koennecke (@ihsuperbrave) discussing the development of a personal learning network.

“Great ideas are born through collaboration, and we are very excited to bring this type of idea-sharing to our Brave staff,” said Superintendent Kirk Koennecke. “As a district, we need to operate with a growth-mindset. Twitter provides an incredible free network to learn how we can continue to evolve to deliver the excellence our community expects.”  

Photo caption: Beyond Brave is a new educational podcast hosted by Indian Hill Assistant Superintendent Dr. Melissa Stewart.