Recharge on a Road Trip – The Power of Staff Retreats
Cotswold Elementary has used week-end staff retreats as a time for professional development, renewal, and reflection. The staff members work in professional learning communities to plan instruction and get to know each other on a more personal level. This practice has contributed to the family culture and the friendly climate often used to describe the school. As a direct result of this uninterrupted working and social time, teachers are better organized, more knowledgeable about best practices, and student achievement has increased. Retreats have been held at the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT), which provides reasonably priced accommodations and meals and is located in the N.C. Mountains. Retreats have also been held at the South Carolina coast in N. Myrtle Beach with staff conducting an inquiry into environmental issues affecting the coast. Staff reflection is a large part of the retreat experience and continuing education credits are earned for the working time. Due to its popularity, week-end retreats have continued to take place each spring, and the number of participants has nearly doubled over time. For those who cannot get away, “retreat repeats” are conducted on campus following the week-end retreat.