California Teachers Summit Opens Registration

SAN BERNARDINO >> Registration is now open for the second annual Better Together: California Teachers Summit, a free, statewide day of learning on July 29 open to all California PreK-12 teachers, teacher candidates, school administrators and other educators. Cal State San Bernardino and the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus will once again be among the 40 locations throughout the state to host teachers participating in the summit. For those attending the summit at CSUSB, it will take place at the Santos Manuel Student Union from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with complimentary parking in Lot D. The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, will hold the summit in the Indian Wells Theater, also from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parking is complimentary in the main parking lot on the Palm Desert Campus. Teachers will come together 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, which 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. “The 2015 inaugural gathering of the Better Together: California Teachers Summit was a complete success, and we’re working to build off that momentum to make the 2016 summit even better,” said Mick Verdi, associate dean of Cal State San Bernardino’s College of Education and coordinator of the program on campus. “The Better Together: California Teachers Summit provides teachers in the Inland Empire the opportunity to meet and discuss how best the California Standards can be taught to PreK-12 students. “It is not often teachers can come and share ideas and strategies with teachers not in their districts or schools,” Verdi said. “This sharing of information will make students in the Inland Empire better prepared for life in the 21st century.” A unique partnership of organizations – The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the California State University and New Teacher Center – have joined together again to host the summit. 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 the College of Education at 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. They will also have the opportunity to 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.” To register online to attend the summit at Cal State San Bernardino, go to Better Together: California Teachers Summit at CSU San Bernardino at http://bit.ly/1X7MPMA. To register online for the summit at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, go to Better Together: California Teachers Summit at CSU San Bernardino, Palm Desert at http://bit.ly/1UmYIrS. For more information or to register online, please visit the Better Together: California Teachers Summit at www.cateacherssummit.com, and follow #CATeachersSummit on Twitter at @CATeacherSummit at https://twitter.com/cateachersummit and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cateacherssummit for up-to-date information.