As Ohio County students soak up a few last rays of summer sun, many of their teachers are busy this week preparing for the upcoming school year.

Several schools held teacher academy training sessions Monday, including Bethlehem, Elm Grove and Woodsdale elementary schools; Bridge Street and Triadelphia middle schools; and Wheeling Park High School.

According to Superintendent George Krelis, the focus of these training sessions will be developing "professional learning communities." He said teacher development is a goal of educators statewide this year.

"Doctors talk about being doctors, and lawyers talk about being lawyers," said Krelis. "We think it's important for teachers to sit and talk about being teachers."

Krelis said the academy sessions will give teachers the opportunity to have more input on curriculum, share teaching strategies and develop an ongoing relationship.

"We're really excited about the opportunity," he said of the training academies. "It's something we think will have a dramatic impact on teaching and learning in Ohio County."

In a news release, Deputy Superintendent Dianna Vargo said holding these sessions at each school will provide them the opportunity to address the needs of their teachers and students.

Elm Grove Elementary School Principal Richard Dunlevy was pleased with attendance Monday. He noted participation in the training academies is on a voluntary basis and said "close to 90 percent" of the school's teachers showed up.

Dunlevy said Monday's session focused on developing professional learning communities and on the school's Response to Intervention program.

That program identifies students with weaknesses in reading and math, he said.

The academy will continue today, focusing on state content standard and objective requirements, according to Michelle Dietrich.

Dietrich said the presentation will deconstruct those objectives, which spell out what is required to be taught in schools statewide, giving teachers the chance to take an in-depth look at them and identify learning targets.

Training academy sessions run for two days at each school. Madison Elementary, Ritchie Elementary and Warwood School will kick off their academies today, while Middle Creek Elementary and Wheeling Middle School will begin Wednesday. Steenrod and West Liberty elementary schools held their sessions last week.