All of IMESD’s 270 employees gathered on Thursday, August 17th for the agency’s annual All Staff In-Service. The event was held at Blue Mountain Community College and is the one time of year that all IMESD employees get together in one place. This year’s theme was the Power of Positivity.
After being welcomed by Superintendent Dr. Mark Mulvihill and Board Chair Kelly Bissinger, awards were presented, and information was provided for the 23-24 school year. Then, Mulvihill shared some thoughts about the State of IMESD: Present and Future, highlighting how far public education has come in Oregon in the last few years. The state’s Corporate Activity Tax (CAT), which serves as a third crucial leg of the state’s educational funding stool, has improved budgets for school districts. Superintendent Mulvihill also talked about the importance of IMESD’s employees and the services they provide to Eastern Oregon students. “The skill and dedication that our employees exhibit every day in their ESD work for schools continue to contribute to student success in our region,” Mulvihill said.
Employees also watched a video featuring IMESD employees sharing what they love about their jobs and photos of the work they do in school districts.
The highlight of the morning In-Service was national award-winning speaker, artist, and best-selling author Sam Glenn. During his energetic, humorous, and artistic presentation, Glenn encouraged the audience to find ways to bring a positive attitude to work and life every day. His three main ideas were to complain less, compliment more; lighten up; and use your attitude as a gift. Glenn also emphasized using laughter as a great tool to get through hard times and improve daily life.
IMESD employees seemed to enjoy the uplifting, encouraging messages from In-Service as they start their work for 23-24.
