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Educators from school districts in the northern Cincinnati suburbs met Friday at the Ronald Reagan Lodge at Voice of America Park with leaders from Miami University's School of Education and Allied Professions to share a progress update on the university's Voice of America Learning Center. They also to solicited ideas on how the new facility can serve educators' needs.

"It's very possible we can adapt our programs to meet your needs," said teacher education professor and acting chair Iris Johnson.

The meeting started with a presentation by school of education dean Carine Feyten, who emphasized that one of the university's goals at the learning center is to provide up-to-date, relevant and effective continuing education classes for area educators.

"We've spent the last 100 years developing professionals who can address the challenges of education," she said. "We're really trying to prepare leaders for tomorrow's schools."

Feyten, Johnson and the chairs of the school's other departments spoke in turn, explaining the type of classes their departments can offer at the 23,000 square-foot facility when it opens in early 2009.

The area educators gathered at the meeting spent over an hour offering suggestions for what the facility could offer. Topics ranged from offering master teacher classes and providing a local spot for state-mandated classes to be held to research on incorporating health and fitness programs into the school day.

"I think it's really exciting," said an official from Winton Woods. "I think it shows a willingness on Miami University's part to meet the needs of the districts."

Feyten said she was very pleased with the response at the meeting.

"Even just one of these ideas alone made (the meeting) worth it," she said, adding that she hopes to stay in contact with the school districts as the learning center nears its opening date.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5127 or mcunningham@coxohio.com.

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