On December 3, 2024, elementary school principal Dr. Jennifer Kolb and kindergarten teacher Ms. Caress Counts represented our district at the Kinders Can! 2024 conference in Lawrence, Kansas. Organized by the Greenbush Education Service Center, this one-day event brought together educators from across the region to share innovative ideas, gain valuable insights, and collectively envision a brighter future for students in their early years of education.
The conference, designed specifically for preschool, kindergarten, and 1st-grade teachers, featured a dynamic keynote address by Eric Nachtigal, Play Matters: From Blocks to Brilliance and Resilience. Dr. Kolb and Ms. Counts also had the unique opportunity to connect with and meet Dr. Randy Watson, the Commissioner of Education for Kansas.
Dr. Kolb was pleased with what the conference had to offer, “It was a fantastic opportunity to collaborate on building a strong bridge between early childhood and kindergarten and a deep dive into our Kansas State Kindergarten Readiness Outcome.”
Participation in Kinders Can! aligns closely with the district’s Strategic Plan, specifically the Positive Culture goal area, which emphasizes enhancing personalized professional learning opportunities for faculty and staff.
By attending this conference, Dr. Kolb and Ms. Counts further strengthened their commitment to ensuring that all students have the tools and support they need to thrive during these formative years.