Whether it’s joining a webinar, traveling to a nearby school for a presentation, or attending a weekend long conference, professional development is something you’re always pursuing in your career as an educator. While these opportunities are vast and highly beneficial, The Briarwood School has been blessed with an incredible opportunity to expand professional development in a completely immersive way: through a gracious grant from The Henry Bean Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship provides teachers the opportunity to choose a topic or place they want to immerse themselves in, dive in, and bring it back to the classroom! Coach Gore has taught History at Briarwood for the past 22 years, and is truly one of the best. Her love for the subject is contagious, and she did not hesitate to apply for this opportunity.

In 2022, Gore took ten days out of her summer to explore the Oregon Trail. She began the journey in Independence,
Missouri and zigzagged through the west on the trail until she reached Oregon City, Oregon, traveling a total of 1,841 miles and soaking up every minute of it!

She captured and shared her journey on Facebook and Instagram, keeping her students and followers submerged in the adventure. Coach Gore is now using her photos and videos in her middle school History classes, expanding their under- standing of what the early settlers experienced—making history come to life! She remains grateful for the opportunity, and was overwhelmed by the love and support she received along her journey.