By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The Alabama State Department of Education held a regional training at the Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center on the Jefferson State Community College Chilton-Clanton campus on Sept. 17.

Dr. Greg DeJarnett, education administrator for the state and Clanton native, led the training, which featured talks by several education professionals sharing tips and best practices.

“It is a pleasure to be able to come home and host a training in my home district,” DeJarnett said.

He has been with the state department for six years.

The training focused on positive behavior and support and was one of several being held throughout the state.

“The main purpose of having these regional meetings is we are addressing classroom management,” DeJarnett said. “We are addressing student mental health awareness. We are addressing the social and emotional health of students. We are also addressing creating and sustaining a positive culture and climate in the school.”

The training was designed for anyone working with students in the school system, such as teachers, administrators and counselors.

DeJarnett said the training was also designed to help educators see the connection between students’ behavior and academic achievement. He said disruptive behavior in the classroom and bullying both have negative impacts on students’ ability to learn and do well on state tests that measure achievement.

“Creating and sustaining positive relationships improves the overall climate in the schools,” DeJarnett said.

Chilton County Schools Superintendent Jason Griffin said two district level administrators, the Safe Schools Coordinator and a school level administrator from the school system would be attending the training.

These attendees will then train other school system personnel on the best practices that had been shared.

He said this was the first time such a training had been held in Chilton County.

“We are honored to have it here, and we hope we have more,” Griffin said.