Teachers from across the province are heading back to the classroom this summer to prepare for the school year ahead.

For five days in July and August, close to 700 teachers, including student, substitute and Mi’kmaq teachers, will take part in EDUfest, a series of workshops developed by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to help teachers enhance their skills, learn new methods of engaging and empowering students, and discover new subjects for the classroom.

“EDUfest is an energizing and convenient way for teachers to learn and develop their teaching skills,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Ramona Jennex. “Matching teachers with subjects they have a background in is one of the priorities in our Kids and Learning First plan because it results in a better educational experience for students.”

EDUfest offers more than 45 learning opportunities, including teaching students to be strategic, helping students become engaged in their learning, information and technology, autism, the early years, and bullying and cyber-bullying. Participants will receive a personal development certificate.

“I always look forward to EDUfest, and see it as a great networking and professional development event,” said Barbara Rhondenizer, a high school teacher at North Queens School, South Shore Regional School Board. “It gives me the chance to collaborate with other teachers that I wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to connect with.”

For the second year, EDUfest Kids, a child care service and learning camp for children, will be available to participants with children aged 5-11. EDUfest Kids provides learning activities with a focus on science, math, arts, physical education and technology.

More information about EDUfest and EDUfest Kids can be found at www.ednet.ns.ca.

Source: Release