PENDLETON — The InterMountain Education Service District, Pendleton, helped host a virtual training on Friday, Oct. 8, for teachers to focus on developing new skills.

The IMESD and the Oregon Trail Regional Educator Network hosted a Professional Development Summit, according to a press release from the IMESD. The event featured keynote Phil Boyte who speaks to thousands of students and educators across the United States with the intention of transforming their schools into places overflowing with kindness and respect.

Boyte believes connection is vital, especially after so much virtual learning, according to the press release, and shared ideas on how to build connections and inspire each person to use their role to reimagine their school culture.

Oct. 8 was a state in-service day for teachers, so there were no classes in public schools.

In addition to the keynote, regional educators, education service district staff, Boyte and a curriculum company provided teachers with a variety of offerings for skill development, including administration, technology, instructional strategies and emotional learning and behavior. The summit also included roundtables that were content- or grade-specific to discuss needs, strategies or resources that would benefit the group.