The Indianapolis Regional Retreat held on May 5th and 6th brought together educational leaders from diverse backgrounds to engage in meaningful discussions and collaborative problem-solving. IEI members Dr. Kyle Barrentine and Dr. George Philhower created an agenda to address pressing issues facing school districts today, fostering an environment of knowledge sharing and innovation.
The retreat started with a few wellness activities. IEI members Dan Cox and Dr. George Philhower competed in the Indianapolis half marathon. Later that evening, another group enjoyed a friendly competition of “fowling.” For those who aren’t aware, this is a new sport that mixes bowling and football! It was a nice opportunity for the IEI team and our facilitating superintendents to get to be together in real life after months of planning via Zoom.
We opened the conference with the participants engaging in "Problems of Practice Conversations." These small group discussions covered various critical topics, from strategic planning and community engagement to school safety and crisis management. Each group shared insights, challenges, and potential solutions, emphasizing the importance of proactive communication and community involvement in navigating complex issues.
(Small group discussions covered important topics)
The session transitioned to our famous "2-Minute Drills," allowing solution providers to showcase their products while superintendents gave critical feedback quickly. Our curated 1:1 meetings provide opportunities for personalized discussions and deeper connections among attendees.
The second day started with a focused agenda, continuing the collaboration from the previous day. The morning session focused on "Problems of Practice Conversations," encouraging participants to explore new topics and share innovative approaches to address challenges in teacher professional development, student absenteeism, school choice, and more.
Following the small group discussions, participants reconvened for "Problems of Practice Debrief," where facilitators led collective reflections on the day's conversations. Key insights, successful approaches, and ongoing efforts were shared, highlighting the collective commitment to continuous improvement and student success.
Throughout the retreat, participants actively engaged with group discussion questions, providing valuable insights into their current initiatives, successes, challenges, and collaboration efforts. The exchange of ideas and best practices was the highlight of the event. The cross-district collaboration and shared learning gave everyone key takeaways. One attendee said, “These are the important conversations that usually happen in the hallways or between meetings. To have an entire event around these critical issues was invaluable.”
As the retreat concluded, participants outlined actionable next steps based on the discussions, emphasizing the importance of ongoing evaluation, adaptation, and collaboration to address evolving challenges effectively. The Indianapolis Regional Retreat provided a platform for meaningful dialogue and inspired participants to lead with creativity, resilience, and a shared vision for the future of education.
Thank you to our partners, guests, & IEI members from Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Oklahoma for your valuable contributions and active participation in making this retreat a success. Your dedication to advancing education is what drives our work at IEI.
(The #IEI Family in Indianapolis is a proactive team!)
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