March 12, 2026 – While students enjoyed a day away from school on March 9, staff across the district spent the day doing what they ask of their students every day: learning.

The district’s Professional Development Day was designed to give staff dedicated time to strengthen instruction, collaborate with colleagues, and plan for continued growth.

Elementary: Deep Dive into Math Instruction

Elementary teachers collaborated across buildings as they completed the final phase of implementing the district’s new math curriculum, groundwork laid by the elementary instructional coaches Wendy Lentz and Carey Knipfel.

Throughout the year, grade-level teams have met five times, each session centered on a specific module of study. During those meetings, teachers:

• Reviewed Missouri Learning Standards that will be taught and assessed

• Analyzed upcoming assessments to identify where students may struggle

• Studied the progression of skills within each module

• Examined lessons closely to prepare for instruction

• Identified necessary materials and supplies

• Discussed instructional strategies to ensure strong lesson delivery

The Monday PD session marked the culmination of that work. The time allowed teachers to problem-solve together, align expectations, and ensure students receive consistent, high-quality math instruction across buildings.

Middle School: EdCamp-Style Learning

Mexico Middle School hosted an EdCamp-style professional development experience, offering teacher-led sessions focused on practical strategies and school culture. The format gave teachers choice and voice in their learning, allowing them to attend sessions that best fit their interests and classroom needs.Sessions included:

• Bulldog School Communications (Marci Orr)

• Team Builders in Teaching SEL (Kelsey Kirchoff)

• From Tasks to Thinking (Lara Brunk)

• Making Productive Struggle Okay (Kyle Louder)

 

High School: Systems, Support, and Teamwork

At Mexico High School, staff met in groups throughout the day to review beginning- and end-of-day procedures and strengthen the LinkCrew program. Faculty also discussed professional development needs and strategies for managing hallway traffic and student flow, small adjustments that can make a big impact on school climate and safety.

The day wrapped up with team time and a bit of fun at the local bowling alley, a chance to build relationships and recharge together.

Other Training:

• All teachers also completed the annual state-required dyslexia training, ensuring continued compliance and support for student literacy needs.
• School-based counselors and student services personnel collaborated to review practices, share resources, and align processes for identifying, organizing, and monitoring student groups. They also discussed referrals, scheduling, and ways to better support staff next year through additional resources and learning opportunities.s.
• The district secretaires met to collaborate on information within district programs, such as Skyward, Infinite Campus, and ParentSquare. 

In addition, staff completed a short survey from the district’s Professional Development Committee. The survey asked teachers about their learning priorities so future sessions can be aligned with what educators need most. The results will guide upcoming professional development opportunities and help the district stay responsive to the evolving landscape of teaching and learning.