Educators from Elizabethton and Carter County will be among over 3,000 K-12 educators across Northeast Tennessee who will join their colleagues for a professional development day centered on the theme of “Learning Together – One Region, One Purpose, Every Child.” Learning Together provides the time and space for educators to engage in subject-specific discussions centered around best practices and to build relationships with their colleagues. Nearly 200 presenters will facilitate learning sessions in their areas of teaching expertise at nine different locations throughout the region. Media are welcomed and encouraged to visit all Learning Together sites.

Educators will start their day at 9 a.m. with a brief welcome from Dr. Nancy Dishner, President and CEO of the Niswonger Foundation, followed by their first of three learning sessions. To end the day, educators will listen to a motivational speech by Dr. Debbie Silver, a retired educator with over 30 years of experience in the classroom. Through her research, her outreach, and her humor, Dr. Silver seeks to help teachers find the joy in the daily job of teaching so that children can embrace the satisfaction and pride of knowledge, growth, and self-worth. For more information about the layout of the day, see the daily schedule below.

Sponsors of Learning Together include Ballad Health, East Tennessee State University, King University, Kingsport Higher Education Center, Northeast State Community College, Milligan University, Tusculum University, Walters State Community College, Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents, eight Northeast Tennessee school districts, and University School.

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