Professional Development

When it comes to member trainings, CTA is second to none. Led by CTA professional staff as well as members who are experts in their field, trainings provide the latest tools and techniques to enhance professional development in addition to the valuable skills needed to take on leadership duties in your local chapter. Dozens of trainings are offered in special sessions held throughout the year, during conferences, and at CTA’s weeklong Summer Institute. Among them are:

California Challenge

California Challenge was developed in response to the increasingly critical issues surrounding student diversity in our schools. Its purpose is to foster understanding, acceptance and constructive relations among people of many different cultures and language backgrounds. This 24-hour hour training series consists of eight three-hour components.

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Communications Trainings

There are various trainings to enhance communications efforts within your local chapter and beyond. Currently offered at CTA’s Summer Institute, communications trainings include: “Chapter Newsletters: From Gee Wiz to Gee WOW”; “Chapter Websites: Organizing Online”; and “It’s News to Me: Effective Communications.” Other trainings can be arranged by request.

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GLBT Leadership Development Program

The GLBT Leadership Development program is designed to promote the values of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members’ involvement at all levels within the organization. The program is offered through the Human Rights Department and is conducted by specially trained member cadres.

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High Risk Program

This program consists of five individual workshops designed to help teachers deal with the difficult problems they must confront in teaching at-risk students. The intent of the training is to increase teacher awareness of these issues, provide skills and strategies for dealing with high-risk behaviors, and provide resources and referral information.

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IPD Trainings

CTA's Instruction and Professional Development (IPD) department provides technical assistance to local chapters, CTA leadership, and various CTA departments in the areas of standards, assessment, curriculum, instruction, accountability, evaluation, as well as the education of language minority children.

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Interest-based Bargaining

Interest-based Bargaining is a three-day program in which management and association bargaining teams are trained together and learn to improve their bargaining table skills using the "interest-based" methodology. The training is conducted by CTA staff and school district representatives.

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Running for Office Program

The Running for Office Program is a component of the CTA Women's Leadership Training Program and consists of seven workshops designed to give members assistance in running for Association and local public office.

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UniServ Pre-Employment Development Program

The National Education Association (NEA) UniServ Pre-Employment Development Program (UPDP) provides training and work experiences necessary to qualify for UniServ staff work in a state or local affiliate of the NEA.

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Women's Leadership Training Program

This leadership training is designed to ensure that female members will be prepared for leadership roles within the organization. Presented by a cadre of volunteers, the training consists of several workshops that focus on personal assessment of leadership skills, organizational analysis, decision-making and group process skills.

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