NPAC hosts area teachers at networking event

GREENEVILLE — Over 700 educators, including several from Hawkins County, attended the Niswonger School Success Symposium at Greeneville High School and the Niswonger Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, June 23.

This annual event brings local and national presenters and hundreds of educators together in one place for a day of learning and networking. The Symposium’s high-quality professional development is offered at no cost to any PreK-12 public educator in Tennessee.

This year’s Symposium featured over 40 different breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics, all led by local and national educators, organizations, and vendor partners.

“At the Niswonger Foundation, we are always thinking about how we can partner with school districts and break down barriers so that every educator can have access to high-quality, affordable professional learning,” said Dr. Steve Barnett, chief operating officer of the Niswonger Foundation. “This year we not only partnered with excellent educators from across the region to deliver sessions to their peers but also reached out to nationally-recognized organizations and speakers to bring the best of the best in education right here to Northeast Tennessee.”

This year’s keynote speaker was Chase Mielke, an award-winning educator, writer, and speaker from Michigan. In the afternoon, Mielke presented a keynote address titled “Reignite: Avoid Burnout, Increase Outcomes, and Learn to Love Education Again.” His blend of animated storytelling, which included anecdotes from his own days as both a student and a teacher as well as relatable discussions around scientific research, engaged and inspired the teachers in attendance.

A school counselor from Hamblen County Schools said, “The keynote speaker was amazing. As a counselor, I was thrilled to see the keynote’s emphasis on relationships.”

One teacher from Washington County Schools said, “I always feel so excited to start the next year after coming [to the Symposium]. The presenters always bring a wealth of knowledge, and this year’s keynote speaker was wonderful.”

Established in 2001, the Niswonger Foundation has a mission “To create opportunities for individual and community growth through education and other sustainable projects.” With the motto of “Learn-Earn-Return,” the Foundation supports K-12 educational excellence. The programs of the Foundation are supported by charitable donations, grant funding and personal contributions from Scott M. Niswonger.