NATCHEZ — For students, summer is a time for relaxation. But for Natchez-Adams School District teachers and administrators, it’s a time for professional development.

Several teachers and NASD Deputy Superintendent Tanisha Smith will travel to the Mississippi Department of Education in Jackson for different training exercises, NASD public relations coordinator Steven Richardson said.

“You can never stop learning,” Richardson said. “You can learn something new everyday.”

Richardson said the Mississippi Department of Education would discuss new standards to help students learn and how to implement them into the schools.

Teachers will also have professional development opportunities from Aug. 5 to 7 at their respective schools, when specialists from the Mississippi Department of Education will visit to prepare them for the next school year.

“Trainers from the department of education will come to assist teachers with how they go about their lesson plans,” Richardson said.

Richardson said the exercise is designed to make sure everyone is on the same page.

“As technology changes and more information is developed in certain subject areas, it is on us to seek out as many opportunities as possible to provide our teachers and staff the chance to advance in knowledge,” Richardson said.

Although all teachers are not required to participate in professional development training, it’s mostly tailored for various subjects, recommendation from a principal or the deputy superintendent, and volunteering.

The NASD administrative staff traveled to Raymond Sunday for a work retreat.

They will return Wednesday.

In addition to professional development training, teachers and administrators will spend their summer working as the new school year approaches.

“We have summer school going on, so most principals and teachers work during the summer,” Richardson said.

Summer school will run through July 3 at Natchez High School where students attend to get ahead in their classrooms.

“It reminds me of college summer school where you have options to get extra hours or retake courses,” Richardson said.

Richardson said NASD custodians also work year-round, keeping the schools clean and making sure the district saves energy.

“Custodians are the lifeline of the school district,” Richardson said.