Edgren High School hosts annual Educators' Day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Children at Misawa Air Base were given the day off of school to allow their teachers a day of personal and professional growth.

The personal and professional growth took place during the annual Educators' Day Monday, held at Edgren High School. Educators from all three schools on base, as well as parents, were invited to attend.

Educators' Day is a Pacific-wide program. On this day, a variety of education sessions are held ranging from teaching techniques to cultural lessons to self-improvement activities to informational presentations and demonstrations. These sessions are taught by teachers from each school on base, base organizations, teachers from other Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Japan and members of the local community.

"We try to attain a balance between academic and outside informational sessions, or as we like to call them, life sessions," said Deborah Markl, Sollars teacher and member of the coordinating team for this year's event.

This year, the coordinating team was successful in obtaining more than 60 different sessions. A few of the sessions included EOD demonstrations, medical group presentations, trips to Japanese schools, world music drumming, digital photography, using a smartboard, use of podcasting, algebra for elementary, and teaching autistic children. All the sessions were listed on a website for the participants to choose from. Throughout the course of the day, teachers were able to attend about 6 sessions.

"You know it's good when you look at the program and you can't choose just six you want to attend," said Bruce Derr, Japan District superintendent. "There were some wonderful presentations and something for everybody. If you can come away with one thing you can use in your classroom, one thing to help you become healthier or one thing to help you deal with stress, then I think it's a big success."

Those who've attended Educators' Day agree that it is time well spent. One of those people is Patti Rzeznik, a third grade teacher at Sollars Elementary School. Ms. Rzeznik has been teaching for 26 years, this was the 20th Educators' Day she's attended.

"I've attended every year and I still find it very beneficial," she said. "All of it is so good. After 26 years of teaching, you can get into a rut. I come here and get fresh ideas and new ways of doing things."

Ms. Rzeznik attended sessions on using a smartboard, read aloud stories and strategies, classroom economy, and women's health. In the classroom economy class, titled 'Learning Through Earning,' she learned how she can teach her students about the daily usage of money. Students earn money from the teacher and are fined for not following appropriate behavior. At the end of the marking period, students can spend their money in a school store.

"A big benefit of Educators' Day is that there is always something I can use immediately, like the 'Learning Through Earning,'" she said. "Another benefit is getting the chance to collaborate with fellow teachers that I don't get to see everyday. It's a wonderful experience. I wish more parents would come out and join us. There are always some things they can benefit from too."

In addition to the sessions offered, Phi Delta Kappa, a teacher's organization, held an auction. The money raised at the auction goes toward scholarships for future teachers on Misawa.

Students got involved in Educators' Day as well. During the opening ceremonies for the day, the Junior ROTC color guard posted the colors and the high school chorus sang the Japanese and American National Anthems. The junior and senior classes, Spanish club and girls volleyball team raised money by selling breakfast and lunch for the participants.

"There were so many people, doing so much work and making significant contributions," said Karl Ackermann, Edgren teacher and Educators' Day coordinator. "It really made things work."

Educators' Day has been held at Misawa for more than 20 years.

"We are very fortunate that our district administration feels this is very important," said Louise Warner, Cummings teacher and coordinator. "I think it is one of the best days. I really enjoy it.

As a previous principal at Misawa, Mr. Derr credits the base for the success of Educators' Day.

"The command here really supports the schools," the district superintendent said. "It is really evident when I go to meetings or events here. Misawa is the best kept secret in DoDDS and the military."