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Free summit encourages teachers educating teachers

Mike Szymanski | July 20, 2016



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California Teachers Summit at Pasadena Civic Center

For the second year, the California Teachers Summit is holding what they call the state’s largest teacher training to encourage and inspire fellow educators.

The free summit is planned at 38 locations throughout the state on Friday, July 29, and is expected to attract 15,000 traditional, private and charter school teachers for lectures, seminars and individualized smaller breakout groups.

This year’s keynote speakers include actor and author Ernie Hudson (from the first “Ghostbusters” movie who also has a cameo in the latest one), and teacher and author Kelly Gallagher, who teaches on literacy education, has written six books for teachers and received the Award for Classroom Excellence from the California Association of Teachers of English, the state’s highest honor for English teachers. Hudson was also in The CrowLaw and Order and is on Netflix’s Grace and Frankie and FOX’s new series A.P.B. this fall.

This time around, “Better Together: California Teachers Summit” is focusing on the new statewide California standards and the Next Generation Science standards being used in the classrooms. Geared toward pre-K to 12th-grade teachers as well as teacher candidates and school administrators, the day also includes TED-style talks presented by local teachers and Edcamp discussions led by teachers for teachers.

The event is sponsored by the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the California State University and New Teacher Center with the idea of reaching educators at every stage in their development.

“As California embraces new ways of teaching and learning, teachers want more opportunities to connect with and learn from their peers,” Ellen Moir, founder and CEO of New Teacher Center, said in a statement. “New Teacher Center supports new and veteran teachers. We’re thrilled summit attendees will join a growing network of teachers teaching teachers.”

Kristen Soares, president of the AICCU, said the concern over a teacher shortage is another reason for having the summit. “In light of California’s teacher shortage, we must do more to celebrate and support teachers,” Soares said. “Teaching is a uniquely challenging yet rewarding profession that requires teachers to be lifelong learners. The summit is a unique opportunity for teachers, teaching and teacher education to come together to collaborate and re-energize ahead of the new school year.”

More information, a list of event locations and online registration is available at CATeachersSummit.com.

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