Edcamp #StayinTeaching Set for April 1 at Fayetteville High School

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Teachers enjoy a previous EdCamp.

The Northwest Arkansas Writing Project at the University of Arkansas invites educators to attend EdCamp #StayinTeaching from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 1 at Fayetteville High School, 994 MLK Jr. Blvd.

The event is free, and online registration is required. Participants may stay for part of the day or for the whole event, which will include a free breakfast, four breakout sessions, and door prizes during the wrap-up.

EdCamp is a free "unconference" event designed to create a participant-driven, fun-filled day of professional development. Educators can connect with like-minded individuals, collaborate on ideas, brainstorm solutions to common education problems, have group discussion, and receive information that can be immediately applied in the classroom. Sessions are determined the morning of the event, and there are no prescheduled presentations or keynotes. The goal is to keep sessions spontaneous, interactive and responsive to everyone's needs.

EdCamp #StayinTeaching is specifically intended to provide a space for teachers in their first five years of teaching, but all are welcome. Providing opportunities for early-career teachers is important because, in Arkansas, 35 percent of teachers leave the profession during their first five years. This creates a revolving door of less-experienced educators teaching Arkansas students.  Giving early-career teachers opportunities to share their knowledge and learn together at an experience such as EdCamp supports teacher retention. 

The University of Arkansas Educational Renewal Zone is providing breakfast and door prizes for EdCamp #StayinTeaching.

"The mission of the ERZ is to improve overall public school performance and student academic achievement," said Lindsey Swagerty, ERZ director, "and we see EdCamp as an innovative way to address our goals."

Amanda Coughlin, a second-year teacher involved in planning EdCamp #StayinTeaching, said EdCamp was created to provide an opportunity for individualized professional development.

"EdCamp allows teachers to be with individuals who share the same concerns or passions, making the sessions that much more meaningful," Coughlin said.

Vicki Collet, who is helping to organize the event, said EdCamp is an experience that appeals to early-career teachers. Collet is associate director of Northwest Arkansas Writing Project and assistant professor of childhood education in the College of Education and Health Professions.

"EdCamp is interactive, needs-driven, and technology rich," Collet said. "This EdCamp is being planned primarily by early-career teachers, giving them leadership experience and a chance to share their insight. We hope this EdCamp gives educators across the region the opportunity to discuss effective teaching strategies and work collaboratively."

Collet can be reached for questions about EdCamp #StayinTeaching at collet@uark.edu.

For 20 years, the Northwest Arkansas Writing Project has focused on improving writing in area schools. As one of 200 National Writing Project sites, it provides professional development for educators and directly reaches young writers through summer camps. EdCamp #StayinTeaching is part of a Writing Project leadership initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.