Registration Opens for Second Annual Better Together: California Teachers Summit
Free Statewide Day of Learning and Networking to Celebrate the Teaching Profession and Equip Teachers with Tools to Better Implement the New California Standards
Santa Cruz, CA (May 17, 2016) — Registration opens today for the second annual Better Together: California Teachers Summit, a free statewide day of learning on July 29 that is open to all California PreK-12 teachers, teacher candidates, school administrators, and other educators. Teachers will come together at nearly 40 locations across the state to share ideas, build their networks and learn the latest strategies for implementing the new California Standards in their classrooms. Building on momentum from last year’s event that drew 15,000 teachers, the Summit will be even bigger and better, featuring nationally renowned speakers, TED-style EdTalks highlighting local teachers, and Edcamp model facilitated discussions, led by teachers, for teachers.
A unique partnership of organizations – The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), the California State University (CSU), and New Teacher Center (NTC) – has joined together again to host this free statewide day of learning. Through their strong and distinct networks, the organizers will reach educators at every stage in their development – new and veteran teachers, current teaching students, and alumni.
“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 Summit will feature best practices for implementing current state priorities such as the California Standards in English/Language Arts and Math and the Next Generation Science Standards. The EdTalks will
feature local teachers sharing strategies and classroom victories in implementing the California Standards.
“Teachers are the experts when it comes to the California Standards – no one knows more about what’s working in the classroom and where more support is needed,” said Claire C. Cavallaro, Dean of College of Education at the California State University, Fullerton. “By helping teachers build a powerful network of peers and access effective resources, the Summit will equip teachers to make an even bigger difference in their students’ lives.”
During Edcamp sessions teachers will pick their own topics – ranging from technology in the classroom, to improving literacy in early education, or boosting science, technology, engineering, and math education – and exchange ideas with colleagues from throughout the region.
“In light of the looming teacher shortage, we must do more to celebrate and support teachers,” said Kristen Soares, President of AICCU. “The Summit is a unique opportunity for teachers to come together to collaborate and re-energize ahead of the new school year.”
For more information or to register online, please visit www.cateacherssummit.com, and follow #CATeachersSummit for up-to-date information.
About AICCU
The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities represents 75 private nonprofit colleges and universities in California who collectively enroll 320,000 students. The core mission of AICCU institutions is to improve lives through higher education. AICCU institutions are committed to the public good and are incredibly diverse – ranging from large to small traditional liberal arts institutions, including nationally ranked research universities; colleges offering faith-based, performing and visual arts, and “non-traditional” programs of study; as well as professional schools that specialize in business, law, medicine, and more. Accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is required for membership, as is fulfilling a public purpose through nonprofit status. In addition to providing creative and intellectual higher education resources to assure California’s future economic vitality, AICCU institutions are major contributors to the economies of the regions they serve – as large employers and consumers of local goods and services.
About CSU
The California State University is the largest comprehensive university in the world, serving 460,000 students at 23 campuses. For more than 100 years, the university has been the vortex of teacher training, conferring the largest number of education degrees and multi-subject credentials to California’s teachers. The CSU is known as the “people’s university,” serving the most academically, ethnically and economically diverse students in the nation. The university is known for providing quality degree programs and preparing job-ready graduates for success. With 1 in 10 employees in California, and 1 in 20 Americans who hold a university degree in the United States as a CSU alumnus, the university has the largest alumni base of any public university in the country with 3 million living alumni.
About NTC
New Teacher Center is a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving student learning by guiding a new generation of educators. Founded by teachers in 1998, NTC works in conjunction with school districts, state policy makers and educators across the country to increase the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders at all levels. These programs are built upon research-based principles for teacher onboarding, mentoring and ongoing coaching, and proven to accelerate teacher effectiveness, reduce teacher churn and improve student achievement. NTC has made it their mission to overcome challenges students and teachers face by providing all educators with the support and resources necessary to succeed from their first day to their last. NTC now supports over 8,500 mentors or coaches and 31,600 teachers, and is improving the learning of over 2.2 million students across the country.
Parking
Participants should arrive at the G-3 parking lot to retrieve their parking passes. They will then follow the signs to Chaparral Hall and meet in the entry way.