The 2023 Appalachian Studies Conference was held at Ohio University in Athens, OH. The conference theme was “Appalachia Fest: From Striving to Thriving.” On March 17, 2023, the Gallia-Vinton ESC provided two presentations. Dr. Denise Shockley, GVESC Superintendent, and Dr. Ron Morris, Ball State University, presented a paper they co-authored entitled “Treasure Your Family: Community and School Working to Support Families.”A panel of teachers that have participated in the Five Star and Landmark Moments Fellowships presented on the topic “Field Experiences as a Window on the World.” Sonya Davis, Oak Hill MS, and Stephanie Reed, Vinton County MS, made connections between professional development and field studies to classroom instruction. Derek Parsons and Adam Jenkins, Dawson-Bryant HS, discussed the rich content in the Northwest Continental Divide and Alaska trips. Dr. Denise Shockley concluded the panel remarks by sharing about the peer mentorship that occurred among teachers as a result of their field studies experiences.