More than 1,200 educators from schools in Auglaize, Mercer and Darke counties spent their teacher work day Monday at Mercer County Educational Service Center's professional learning at New Bremen Local Schools. The group kicked off the day with keynote speaker and veteran educator Gerry Brooks of Lexington, Kentucky. Brooks spoke passionately about personal climate and culture strategies while referencing real-world educational experiences. Teachers spent the rest of the conference in and out of numerous breakout sessions, which focused on their specific school subjects and more general topics like "The Invisible Student," "Cracking the Code to Targeted Behavior Interventions" and "Neurodiversity: Affirming Care in the Schools."