Submitted by Roanoke College News
Educators from all over Virginia gathered at Roanoke College June 20-22, 2022 for The Margaret Sue Copenhaver Institute for Teaching and Learning. The theme for this year’s institute was Rekindling the Spark: Creating Communities of Care for Educators and Students.
Educators have adapted, innovated, coped, over-extended and sacrificed in order to serve children and provide the best education possible. This year, the Margaret Sue Copenhaver Institute seeks to support Virginia educators by organizing an institute that re-energizes teachers through acknowledging struggles and offering strategies for re-invigoration.
The Helen C. Hanes Friend of Education Award was given to Anita James Price at the Copenhaver Institute’s closing luncheon on Wednesday, June 22. Price dedicated 35 years to public school education as a teacher and school counselor in both Baltimore, Maryland, and in Roanoke City Public Schools. She is a member of the Roanoke City Council.
This year we welcomed three exciting keynote speakers. Gerry Brooks, school administrator and social media presence, who spoke humor into the various struggles of those in PK-12 education. We also welcomed Dr. Carol Pelletier Radford, former classroom teacher and teacher education administrator, who will offer research-based strategies to support the inner lives of educators and protect the profession. Finally, Kelsey Myers, LMFT, addressed strategies to help educators cope with the impact of daily stressors as a result of this unprecedented time of chaos and change.
The overarching focuses for the Copenhaver Institute include: uplifting the profession, reflecting on our purpose, fostering resilience, protecting positive perspective, nurturing collaboration among educators and students and sustaining inclusive, adaptive schools that ensure all students thrive.
For questions regarding the Institute, please contact the MSCI Directors: Dr. Leslie Murrill murrill@roanoke.edu or Prof. Karin Kaerwer kaerwer@roanoke.edu.
