Greencastle Presbyterian Church to host The Family Table education panel Wednesday

In hopes of building on the momentum of an international education expert’s local visit, the Greencastle Presbyterian Church will host a community meal and panel discussion on Wednesday in the church fellowship hall.

The Family Table will bring three local panelists together to discuss what’s working best in schools, what factors are inhibiting teachers and students, how technology should be used in the classroom and brainstorming ideas for going forward in Putnam County.

A community meal will kick off the event at 5:30 p.m. (feel free to bring a side to share), followed by the discussion at 6 p.m.

“I'm stoked that we've been able to get some really quality panel members who are deeply invested as educators and leaders, from early childhood all the way up through new ways of doing college,” Greencastle Presbyterian Pastor Wes Kendall said.

Panelists include South Putnam administrator Brady Rhodes, Kim Fidler from the Indiana State Teachers Association and Matt Cummings from the Kenzie Academy, a start-up in Indianapolis aimed at giving students coding skills and the chance to make an immediate impact in tech companies.

It was actually an event organized by Rhodes — the recent “Education Beyond Boundaries” event featuring Finnish education expert Petteri Elo — that inspired Kendall to plan The Family Table.

“South Putnam and Brady Rhodes recently brought in a highly-regarded expert on education, and the event was great,” Kendall said. “It also made me wonder: Why should the conversation end with just that? I hope it doesn't and Wednesday is one way I hope to keep the conversation going.”

The conversation won’t simply be between the three people at the front of the room.

“Throughout the night, you'll be invited to explore your own memories of school, to think about what's helping your kids, and, yes, whether you think 1-to-1 technology is helping our hurting our kids,” Kendall said.

The conversation should be complete by 6:45 p.m., giving even the parents of young children the chance to be home by bedtime.

Greencastle Presbyterian Church is located at 643 S. CR 100 East (Round Barn Road next to the Putnam County Playhouse).