The Association of Independent Michigan Schools (AIMS) held its bi-annual conference on the campuses of Kingswood and the Academy of the Sacred Heart on Monday. More than 1000 teachers attended sessions on the two campuses.

Dr. Thomas Armstrong, author of The Best Schools, set the keynote with a presentation on “human development discourse.” An impressive array of featured speakers and workshop sessions (several led by Cranbrook faculty) added up to a highly productive day of professional development. Visiting teachers and presenters commented on the beauty of the Kingswood campus as well.

Upper School Weaving Instructor Lynn Bennett-Carpenter and Brookside Nurse Marcy De Craene presented a workshop session on the Namtenga project. It included a brief history of this international initiative to address poverty and offered suggestions on how to build a school program that spans from lower to upper school.

In collaboration with Barry Webster of Detroit Country Day, Upper School Computer Science Instructor Rich Lamb explored current trends in "Computer Science at the Pre-College Level.

Upper School Science Department Head Greg Miller, filling in for Assistant Director of Technology/Upper School Mathematics Instructor Jennifer Uhl, shared tips on SMART Board use both here at Kingswood and as part of the Early Childhood and Elementary conference at the Academy of the Sacred Heart.

Cranbrook faculty also moderated a number of lunchtime discussions. Moderators included Holly Arida, Ric Bowdy, Fran Dagbovie, Tom De Craene, Shane Finney, Beatrix Fuzet, Steve Graf, Sarkis Halajian, Larry Ivens, Gary Kulak, Charlie Shaw, David Watson, and Carla Young.

The Association of Independent Michigan Schools (AIMS) is a non-profit organization of primary, elementary, and secondary schools whose purpose is to support and advance independent education in Michigan.