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CSU Channel Islands to Co-Host Second Annual “Better Together: California Teachers Summit”
By Anonymous — Tuesday, July 12th, 2016
Thousands of educators and administrators around the state will spend part of their summer vacations coming together to exchange ideas about their shared passion: education. The 2016 “Better Together” California Teachers Summit is a free statewide day of learning that will take place on Friday, July 29 at 38 locations around California, including CSU Channel Islands (CI). Running from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m, the Summit is open to all California Pre-K teachers, teacher candidates, school administrators and other educators. One of the keynote speakers is Kelly Gallagher, an author and consultant who works with educators around the world and is considered one of the leading voices in literacy education. Gallagher is former co-director of the South Basin Writing project at CSU Long Beach and author of several books including “Reading Reasons: Motivational Mini-Lessons for Middle and High School;” “Deeper Reading: Comprehending Challenging Texts, 4-12;” and “Readicide: How Schools are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It.” CI “Better Together” coordinator Dianne Wilson-Graham, Executive Director for the California Physical Education-Health Project, said many of the sessions will be centered on how to implement current state priorities such as the California Standards in English/Language Arts and Math and the Next Generation Science Standards. “Teachers are making adjustments to major shifts in education,” Wilson-Graham said. “Common Core is shifting more toward the 21st Century learner. Facts are less important; they’re readily available to us. Now students need more focus on skills and knowledge related to using information and collaborating with others.” The Summit will feature two local educators who will do keynote “Ed Talks,” which are funny, poignant, informative or otherwise inspiring presentations designed to ignite group discussions. Teachers will then participate in group discussions called “Ed Camps” in which professional educators pick topics ranging from technology in the classroom to improving literacy in early education to boosting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) training. Each participant can gravitate toward the session that best addresses his or her needs. “As California embraces new ways of teaching and learning, teachers want more opportunities to connect with and learn from their peers,” said Ellen Moir, Founder and CEO of New Teacher Center. “Summit attendees will join a growing network of teachers teaching teachers, giving them the opportunity to be both the experts and the learners.” The day is made possible through the unique partnership of New Teacher Center (NTC); The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (AICCU); and the California State University (CSU) system. The inaugural “Better Together” summit in 2015 drew more than 15,000 educators statewide with about 250 filling every seat at CI’s “Better Together” summit. The first summit was such a success, organizers are preparing for even more participation in this year’s event. Wilson-Graham said organizers expect to draw at least 350 to the CI location. “This event is well-timed to meet teachers’ needs to come together and learn with others. Teachers are learners themselves,” Wilson-Graham said. “When they get a little time off, they’re eager to learn more about their craft.” If you are interested in attending this year’s Better Together summit, RSVP by clicking on: http://cateacherssummit.com/. Photo of “Better Together” inaugural 2015 summit courtesy Ventura County Star About California State University Channel Islands |
