A group of 150 local teachers learned the latest teaching techniques to improve their students’ performance and boost the state’s effort to comply with Common Core education standards. The Jennings and Rebecca Jones Foundation and Middle Tennessee State University partnered to hold a conference June 4-5 at MTSU entitled “Critical Thinking with the Common Core.” The conference included a full day of lectures and training June 5 at the MTSU College of Education Building. Attendees consist of a select group of K-5 teachers in the Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City school districts.