Published: October 28, 2009 07:25 pm      

Mt. Vernon Conference starts today

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — More than 3,500 educators will be descending on the Mt. Vernon Township High School campus for the 30th Annual Mt. Vernon Conference.

“Our title this year is Directions and Innovations,” said Bryan Cross, Hamilton/Jefferson counties regional superintendent of schools. “Our keynote speakers and many of the sessions are about learning in a different way other than the traditional classroom.”

The conference is a joint educational inservice program which is sponsored by Cross; Keri Garrett, the regional superintendent of Clinton, Marion and Washington counties; Larry Fillingim, the regional superintendent of Edwards, Gallatin, Hardin, Pope, Saline, Wayne, White and Wabash Counties; and Matt Donkin, the regional superintendent of Franklin and Williamson counties.

Planning a conference which draws educators from throughout Southern Illinois and some from Central Illinois is no small feat, and a 50 person planning committee comprised of educators and community members throughout the region work on the conference year-round.

This year there are two off-campus sessions that emphasize the theme of innovative learning inside and outside the classroom.

Chris Irwin will conduct sessions at the King City Saddle Club arena. Irwin shows how horses and human behavior can enhance classroom and student achievement. In the second off-campus session, those attending will go to the Jefferson County Historical Village and visit an 1800s village to learn how it can enhance classroom curriculum and increase student achievement.

“These are different ways to approach student achievement,” Cross said. “Learning doesn’t all happen in the classroom.”

Cross said there are a large variety of sessions and presenters for educators to choose from to get information to help them every day.

“I hope everyone can learn or pick up at least one thing they can apply and take back to their school,” Cross said. “I hope they get more than one thing, but at least one thing they can put into practice right away.”

The Mt. Vernon Conference begins today and will continue through Friday afternoon on the MVTHS campus.