A cohort of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s teaching leaders are working together to share best practices and innovative learning strategies across all 42 district schools.

The cohort, called KPBSD “Champs,” gathered for a summit-esque in-session at Skyview Middle School on Aug. 13 to lay the foundation for a year of inter-school collaboration. A series of round-robin style presentations offered synchronously for in-person and remote attendees focused on sharing teaching resources and ideas between schools.

“We’re here actively to learn from each other,” Amanda Adams, who also led the group’s “Community of Practice Norms” session.

Adams, who is also the district’s lead innovation designer, said via email the makeup of district Champs reflects every school and grade level and includes teachers recognized on statewide levels and Fulbright scholars.

“The Champs are about empowering teachers to lead and building collective teacher efficacy,” Adams wrote.

The focus of the group’s Aug. 13 in-session was to help connect new Champs with one another and explain how Champs can share resources and lead innovative practices in schools, such as touring classrooms that function especially well or uploading resources to a central repository.

Annaleah Karron, who led the group’s “Opportunities for Growth” session, said that coming out of the 2020-2021 school year, it will be important for teachers to remember some of the things that worked well in spite of the pandemic, such as the new technological skills students and staff developed.

“Even though it was like a really difficult year, there (were) some amazing things happening,” Karron said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced teachers across the district to adapt. Many schools operated 100% remotely for extended periods of time and relied heavily on technology as a way to stay connected with their students.

This year, KPBSD will also offer remote learning options, but allowed students to return to full-time in-person learning on Tuesday. While the district has implemented strict COVID mitigation policies, students are not required to wear face masks and will have the option to enroll in remote learning for some or all of the school year.

More information about KPBSD Champs can be found on the Champs website at plkpbsd.org/champs.html.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

Annaleah Karron leads a session during an in-service at Skyview Middle School on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)