LOS ANGELES – From high-stakes testing to closing the achievement gap to tips on making math fun for students, the timely workshops offered during the California Teachers Association's 54th annual Good Teaching Conference this weekend offer a window into today's public school campuses.
This year's conference offers an array of cutting-edge classroom techniques for the more than 1400 Southern California teachers taking part in the event. Area teachers are giving and attending seminars at the conference, which kicks off with a reception tonight at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel.
Keynote speaker Barbara E. Kerr, president of the 335,000-member CTA, will speak at noon Saturday in the Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance.
"This exciting conference gives teachers a chance to learn about wonderful new ideas that they can bring back to their classrooms to keep public schools improving," Kerr said. "This is professional development at its best – educators sharing their secrets with other educators. Our students will benefit in profound ways from the learning that teachers will do this weekend."
· WHAT: CTA's 54th annual Good Teaching Conference for Southern California.
· WHEN: Kickoff is tonight with a reception. The conference ends at noon Sunday.
· WHERE: Various rooms at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, 1755 N. Amelia Ave, Hollywood
BELOW IS A SAMPLING OF CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
California High Schools on the Hot Seat: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell is calling for increasing the rigor of high school curriculum, instruction and assessment. This session will provide the most current information on state and national trends in high school reform.
Do You Know Your AYP from Your API? 'No Child Left Behind' Update: Workshop examines requirements of President Bush's controversial No Child Left Behind Act and the state's Public School Accountability Act. Presenters will clarify the implications of these accountability measures and participants will develop school action plans to address requirements.
Closing the Achievement Gap: Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, students in poverty and students of color must achieve at higher levels than ever before. In this session, teachers will explore the role of culture in human development, examine the impacts of race and socioeconomic status on academic achievement, learn the top 10 theories about why students cannot achieve, and look at innovative thinking about high-priority learners.
Keep Their Attention, Keep Them Learning: Various teaching techniques for K-8 students and strategies to meet the diverse needs of a community of learners will be explored. Dynamic ideas about management, motivation and instruction will be shared.
Star Voyagers – A Mathematical Adventure: How does our brain best retain information over the long haul? Teachers will learn the answers from Star Voyagers, an exciting state standards-based "workout" about math based on recent brain research to help inspire students to become motivated and competent mathematicians.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth – Breaking the Silence: This training will provide participants with strategies for reducing hostilities towards gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students. Designed for teachers of grades 6-9, the workshop shares methods to create a safe learning environment for all students that promotes tolerance.
Self-Esteem Workshop: CTA is aware that self-esteem is a critical factor in both student and teacher performance. This session helps educators learn strategies for enhancing self-esteem in students to increase their ability to make wise and safe decisions.