Cobleskill-Richmondville Hosts Regional Conference Day: “One Region, One Purpose—Better Together for Every Student”

Guest speaker, Ali Hearn, jokes with attendees

Guest speaker, Dr. Laura McDaniel,  engages with her breakout session, "Literacy Best Practices"

C-R National Junior Honor Society members assisted with serving lunch and directing attendees throughout the day (left to right, 8th graders Ava Moreland and Abby Miller)

C-R National Junior Honor Society members assisted with serving lunch and directing attendees throughout the day (left to right, 8th graders Maeleigh Dinge, Emmi Hughes and Sawyer Beisler)

Guest speaker, Dr. Meredith Madden speaks on cultural inclusivity in the classroom for all attendees

COBLESKILL — On November 10, Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School District proudly hosted the 2025 Regional Conference Day, welcoming more than 350 educators, including staff from Cobleskill-Richmondville, Duanesburg, Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Sharon Springs, and Schoharie school districts. 

Held across Golding Middle School and Ryder Elementary, the professional development day united teachers and administrators under the theme, “Supporting All Students.” 

Throughout the day, educators engaged in workshops and presentations designed to inspire, connect, and empower teaching professionals. Sessions featured distinguished speakers Karen Swain, Ali Hearn, Dr. Laura McDaniel, and Dr. Meredith Madden. 

The conference kicked off with a focus on the New York State Education Department’s Portrait of a Graduate, which defines the essential knowledge, skills, and attributes students should demonstrate before graduation. Featured presenters highlighted systems of support, restorative practices, high quality literacy instruction, and cultural competency as key pathways for promoting student success. 

“The Regional Conference Day was a great opportunity to bring our local educators together to learn, collaborate, and grow,” said C-R Superintendent, Matthew Sickles. “The collaboration across districts reminds us that we’re all working toward the same goal—helping every student succeed. Together, the five districts were able to access outstanding speakers and expertise that we could not have provided on our own.” 

The event served as both a professional development opportunity and a celebration of collaboration among neighboring districts. By sharing ideas and best practices, educators reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening education across Schoharie County and beyond. 

Cobleskill-Richmondville extends its gratitude to all guest speakers, district partners, and staff members who made this event a success, and looks forward to future collaboration.