BRANSON, MO (August 5, 2022) – The 2022 Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts (GOCSD) Innovation Summit was held August 4 and 5 at the Branson Convention Center. The Innovation Summit is Southwest Missouri's Premier Educational Conference that brings academic development and leadership enhancement sessions to over 50 Missouri school districts.
Dr. Michelle Brenner, Director of Technology for Branson Public Schools, served as the Innovation Summit Coordinator, making 2022 the fourth year Branson has hosted the event. Current Branson High School Technology Practicum students served as the technical team for the conference. These students helped run the technical needs for the presenters during the breakout sessions. Keynote speaker Dr. Bill Daggett shared his vision for creating future-focused schools, while keynote speaker Kim Bearden challenged attendees to continually create a climate and culture of success.
Several Branson teachers and instructional coaches presented on topics of expertise and led roundtable discussions at this year's event. Tracie Gones, presenter and attendee, says, “Presenting at the GOCSD Innovation Summit is always an honor. After meeting with teachers from all over southwest Missouri, I've come away feeling blessed to work in an amazing district that is already doing great things for kids, but also inspired to try some new ideas in my classroom this year.” Over 800 educators, including superintendents, building administrators, technical directors and teachers were in attendance, learning and preparing to best serve all students for the upcoming school year.