Simultaneous professional development workshops for Poplar Bluff R-I staff are taking place this week, both of which center on emboldening students to reach their maximum potential.

Capturing Kids’ Hearts consultant Janet Kingsley is training Junior High educators at the Holiday Inn about building healthy classroom relationships. The process, developed by The Flippen Group, was budgeted in as the cultural component of the digital transformation—approved by the board in March—to complement the new learning dynamic under which students will be entrusted to explore more as teachers facilitate rather than simply lecture.

The Leader in Me consultant Christie Dickens is preparing Eugene Field instructors in the Missouri Room to transform elementary students into future leaders. The process—based on Dr. Stephen Covey’s best-selling book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”—is being funded through a competitive grant the school was awarded in May by Franklin Covey’s I Am A Leader Foundation, on top of seed money previously endowed by the Poplar Bluff Public School Foundation.

Research continues to support that quality of teaching is the most important factor contributing to a student’s success in school, according to Patty Robertson, R-I assistant superintendent of curriculum/instruction.

“It is absolutely critical that we continually support our teachers and administrators. I’m so pleased that professional learning is valued in our district,” Robertson said. “We utilize a variety of approaches to help support teachers and principals including bringing trainers on-site to support a large group, sending teams of teachers to come back and train others, as well as utilizing Professional Learning Communities as an ongoing structure through which teachers provide support to one another.”