Baldwin County Public Schools and the Baldwin County Education Coalition hosted the annual Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference (GRITC) on July 15th, 16th, and 17th at the Fairhope Middle School campus. Since its inception in 2009, GRITC has been providing unique, peer-to-peer professional development opportunities for teachers across Baldwin County, the state of Alabama, and the Gulf Coast Region. Now in its 16th year, the conference continues to be a vital resource for educators.

“The Coalition is proud to partner with Baldwin County Public Schools to host the GRIT Conference each year,” said Terry Burkle, Executive Director for the Baldwin County Education Coalition. “Effective schools are built upon the foundation of well-trained and well-supported teachers and administrators. GRITC embodies the Coalition’s core value of supporting every educator.”

This year’s conference attracted 633 registered attendees, with 298 sessions available over the three-day event.

Educators were welcomed to Fairhope with an opening session featuring Kenneth Shelton, a highly distinguished, multi-award-winning professional in education and a sought-after thought leader, particularly in the Educational Technology community. His keynote, “Authentic by Design: Crafting Meaningful and Responsive Learning Opportunities,” set the tone for the conference, inspiring teachers throughout the event.

The GRIT Conference is known for providing unique learning opportunities by allowing teachers to present to their colleagues. This peer-to-peer format enables educators to share their expertise and ideas with others from across the region, making the sessions impactful and rewarding for attendees.

“We are incredibly proud of the team that organizes the GRIT Conference each year,” said Eddie Tyler, Superintendent for Baldwin County Public Schools. “This event showcases the dedication and expertise of our staff and faculty, who play a significant role in leading the sessions. The conference sets a high standard for professional development, empowering and inspiring educators from Baldwin County and beyond. We invite all educators to join us and experience this unique opportunity for growth and collaboration.”

The Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference is held annually in July and is open to all educators. To learn more about GRITC and the initiatives of the Baldwin County Education Coalition visit and explore www.betterbaldwin.com.