Local educators gathered Saturday, August 8, for the first Before the Bell, a community- supported morning created to give educators an opportunity to connect, reflect and prepare intentionally for the beginning of the school year.
Hosted by Balance Education & Wellness and Water & Stone, the event brought educators together in a relaxed environment before the demands of the new school year begin.
Rather than traditional professional development, Before the Bell was designed around the people doing the work. Participants had opportunities for conversation, reflection, movement and wellness experiences, along with practical ideas they could carry back into their classrooms and school communities.
The morning was made possible with support from local businesses, organizations and community members who contributed food, beverages, resources, services, donated items and time.
For organizer and longtime local educator Noelle Flynn, that community participation became one of the most meaningful parts of the event.
“I wanted educators to walk into a space that had been intentionally created for them—to have a little room to breathe, connect with other people and think about how they wanted to enter the year. What I didn't anticipate was how powerful it would be to see the community come together around them.”
Participant reflections following the event reinforced the importance of connection, intentionality and having opportunities to pause before returning to the pace of the school year.
Before the Bell also introduced participants to elements of Water & Stone, an education initiative focused on strengthening the environments and people surrounding students through intentional practices supporting connection, belonging and sustainable implementation in schools.
Flynn said the event was intentionally local and collaborative.
“Schools don't exist separately from their communities. When we support the adults who spend their days supporting children, that investment reaches much further than one morning.”
