Day IV at the Teacher Orientation!

At the teacher orientation, the focus was on teachers being engaged in a full morning of collaborative learning, presentation, and reflection. Each teacher prepared and presented a model ESL lesson to a group of peers, focusing on clear learning outcomes, engaging activities, and language support strategies. These mini-lessons reflected the diversity of the teaching team, showcasing everything from grammar games and pronunciation drills to interactive speaking tasks and creative writing prompts. Teachers were encouraged to not only demonstrate their approaches but also explain the rationale behind their planning decisions.

Following each presentation, Adam provided detailed, supportive feedback. This feedback session was highly valuable, offering teachers practical suggestions for improvement while affirming what was already working well. Adam emphasized the importance of lesson structure, classroom management, and student engagement, encouraging teachers to draw from professional reading and research-based practices. Peers also offered observations and constructive ideas, creating a warm, collegial atmosphere of mutual respect and shared purpose.

In the early afternoon, teachers broke into small groups to continue conversations sparked by the morning session. They discussed how to integrate feedback into their future lessons, shared strategies that had worked in their classrooms, and reflected on how to adapt what they had seen for different levels of learners. These conversations were rich with insight and practical planning, underscoring the camp’s commitment to ongoing professional growth.

Later in the day, the mood shifted from reflective to festive with the highly anticipated Wynchemna Casino. Teachers came together for an afternoon of laughter, games, and friendly competition, with poker chips and game tokens flying across tables in a spirited atmosphere. Whether trying their luck at blackjack or spoons over bingo cards, the casino brought the whole camp together in a relaxed, joyful setting.

As evening arrived, the action moved outdoors for a fast-paced street hockey game. Teachers laced up their sneakers for a high-energy match. With quick passes, dramatic saves, and a few unexpected goals, the game showcased not only athleticism but also the strong community spirit at Wynchemna—where learning, laughter, and teamwork go hand in hand.