Professional development took on a new energy this year through Pirate Camps 2025, a peer-led learning event that gave educators the opportunity to teach and learn from one another. The results were overwhelmingly positive, with most participants rating the overall quality of the day a 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale.
Teachers attended sessions led by their colleagues, covering a wide range of instructional strategies and tools. At Lytle Junior High and High School, among the most talked-about sessions were Magic School AI, ESL Essentials, You Can’t Not Know: 6 Factors of Motivation and Unlocking Critical Thinking. At Lytle Primary and Elementary, teachers gave high marks to Small Group ELAR, Student Talk, Mental Health Strategies, and all the sessions covering Inclusion. These workshops provided practical tools and techniques that educators found immediately valuable.
One teacher shared, “I walked away with different tools and resources I can use in my classroom right away.” Another noted that learning how to use AI tools for their ESL and special education students would have a direct impact on their teaching.
A consistent theme across feedback was the relevance of the content. Many teachers said they planned to implement what they learned — whether it was leveraging AI, improving questioning strategies, or using motivational frameworks to re-engage students. One participant remarked, “Students can’t be motivated if their basic needs aren’t met — this is something I’ll carry into every class.”
Overall response to the peer-led format was an enthusiastic, “Keep doing this!” Teachers appreciated learning from people who understood their daily classroom challenges. “They blew my socks off!” one educator wrote about the sessions. Several responses echoed the desire to continue offering a variety of topics and keep the teacher-led model going strong.
Pirate Camps 2025 demonstrated the power of tapping into the talent within our own district. When educators are given the space to share their knowledge, the result is meaningful, practical professional development that directly benefits teachers and students alike. Enjoy the photo album: March Pirate Camps - Professional Development for Staff by Staff - and Superintendent State of the District Briefing 3-19-2025 photos by Lorrianne Migura https://photos.app.goo.gl/V3AFAHvpfm584VBF9
Watch the video!