By: Marc Ransford—
Muncie, IN– For two days, teachers and administrators from Muncie Community Schools (MCS) along with their partners from Ball State University together sought innovative solutions to transform education.
During the MCS-Ball State Innovation Summit on September 25-26 in Muncie’s Horizon Convention Center, K-12 teachers and principals, Ball State faculty and staff, and community leaders worked on ways to continue the upward trajectory of the school system.
Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns praised the teachers and staff for their dedication.
“I want to begin by expressing my appreciation to the faculty and staff from Muncie Community Schools,” President Mearns said. “You continue to demonstrate — today and every day — your unwavering commitment to your students and their families.
“We are here to celebrate the partnership — the innovative and inspiring partnership — among educators, administrators, and national experts who are eager to share their ideas and to imagine the possibilities in store for the future of our public school system in Muncie, Indiana.”
During the summit, small groups met in breakout sessions, discussing a variety of topics, including how to improve classroom behavior, build trust, and integrate science and social studies. Several national education experts discussed how to improve teaching, motivate students, and rethink how a classroom should work.
“We are getting something that we can all get behind in the way of innovating the curriculum and developing more focused students who see the purpose of education,” said Ronnie Howell, who received his bachelor and master’s degrees from Ball State and teaches at the East Washington Academy. “When you’ve got everybody pulling in the same direction, success is going to follow.”
Outcomes from the summit will inform the Academic Innovation and Financial Viability Plan, which will guide the future of Muncie Community Schools. The plan is due to the Indiana General Assembly in June 2020.
“I believe in the transformative power of education,” said Dr. Susana Rivera-Mills, Ball State’s provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs who is working closely with MCS. “It is an honor to partner with our local school system. These meaningful conversations and innovative approaches will support the success of Muncie students and the community’s wellbeing.”
About Ball State
Founded in 1918 and located in Muncie, Ball State University is one of Indiana’s premier universities and an economic driver for the state. Ball State’s 22,500 students come from all over Indiana, the nation, and the world. The 790-acre campus is large enough to accommodate first-rate facilities and 19 NCAA Division I sports, but our welcoming and inclusive campus is small enough to ensure the friendliness, personal attention, and access that are the hallmarks of the University. Destination 2040: Our Flight Path establishes Ball State’s ambitious goals for our second century. We Fly!
Follow Ball State University:
Website: www.bsu.edu
Twitter: @BallState
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ballstate
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/school/ball-state-university
Instagram: @ballstateuniversity
About Muncie Community Schools
The Muncie Community Schools (MCS) serve approximately 4863 students from Muncie and the surrounding area. MCS provides a range of diverse opportunities for children as well as adult basic education. For more information about MCS events, programs or services, please contact Ana Pichardo, Director of Communications at 765-747-5210 or via email: ana.pichardo@muncieschools.org .
Follow MCS on Twitter @MuncieSchools and like us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/MCS1Official
