In fall 2014, Kent ISD will be launching iTeach. The Innovative Teaching Community, or iTeach, is a program designed to help educators collaborate to increase innovation in the classroom. Made up of a networked group of educators, iTeach is designed around the idea of a professional learning community for educators from multiple districts in Kent County.

The iTeach concept will provide teachers opportunities to share great ideas as well as provide opportunities to study the effectiveness of best practices in the classroom. The goal is to create a community of educators in West Michigan to serve as the seeds of change and, ultimately, lead innovative learning.

Earlier this year,  Bill Smith, Kent ISD Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services, met with Kent Innovation High staff and challenged them to find new ways to lead learning. From this challenge, Jeff Bush and Gerry Verwey, both facilitators at KIH, have championed the iTeach community.

Since the initial rollout of the iTeach concept at Kent ISD’s “Think Tank Thursday,” Bush and Verwey have worked with numerous groups within Kent County to recruit support, including meeting with the Teacher Leadership Academy, a group of local principals, and the Kent Intermediate Superintendents Association. Support has been overwhelming from teachers and administrators alike as the momentum builds towards rolling out the iTeach community. At this time, there are a number of focus groups meeting to determine the logistics of iTeach.

If you or someone you know are interested in joining the iTeach movement, or you have questions, please contact Gerry Verwey (gerry.verwey@kentinnovationhigh.org) or Jeff Bush (jeff.bush@kentinnovationhigh.org) at Kent Innovation High for more information.