LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — UNLV held the annual Summit on Nevada Education on Saturday where educators from across the state gathered at the university’s student union to collaborate and tackle challenges Nevada’s school systems are facing.
While it’s hosted in Las Vegas, UNLV College of Education. Dean Danica Hays said the Summit on Nevada Education focuses on all of Nevada.
“Our state is geographically really huge and we have students in urban, rural, suburban and an indigenous spaces,” Hays said.
The theme of the 2024 summit was “Preparing to Succeed.” From K-12 education to workforce development and beyond, Hays said it’s all part of the spectrum of education.
“We really see that connection between early childhood education to the adult learner who’s coming back maybe later in life to switch careers or to upskill for their job,” she said.
Educators from all those spaces worked together at the summit to find ways to approach mental health in their schools, expand the opportunities students have and improve education for people behind bars.
“I really see education as this this village metaphor that we’re all in this together. Whether you even think you’re related to education, you are. Because without education and this investment in education, there is no future workforce, there is no future Nevada economy,” Hays said.
It’s the 10th year of the summit. Educators who have gone year in and year out are looked to the past to continue building the future.
“That’s involving real conversations with our industries, with our schools, our mental health agencies about what do you need in the future workforce and making sure that we’re adapting our curriculum to that,” Hays said.
The summit also featured the first inductions into the UNLV College of Education Hall of Fame. Officials, groups and educators who have made lasting impacts to Nevada’s schools were honored.
