Jamesville teachers attend "William Friday Retreat"

Two teachers from Martin County Schools were among an elite group chosen to attend the 2024 William Friday Teachers Retreat.

Amy Barsanti and Haley Bonds, teachers at Jamesville Elementary School, applied and were selected to attend the event — Enriching the Mind & Rejuvenating the Spirit “Down East” — held June 23-25 in Beaufort.

The event, which was free to selected participants, included a “potpourri” of eastern North Carolina history, literature, culture and heritage — with presentations from engaging presenters, performers and Down East locals.

Coastal adventures, on and off land were available to those chosen for the experience.

They included a visit to the North Carolina Maritime Museum, a private tour of downtown Beaufort via the Beaufort Historical Association’s 1967 English double-decker bus, an experiential local learning day on Harkers Island at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center.

At the last location, visitors took a ferry to Cape Lookout for an exclusive, private truck-tour of the seashore. Time was spent focusing on coordinating lesson plans and resources.

Networking and relationship-building time was afforded to participants to enhance the experience.

Applicants had to demonstrate how they teach or integrate North Carolina history, literature and/or heritage into their course or with the educators they support. There were 200 people on the waitlist for this year’s event.

In addition to free accommodations, participants will receive 2.0 continuing education units for the event.