Three valley educators will deliver talks at the first “Better Together: California Teachers Summit” from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday, July 31, in North Gym (Room 118) at Fresno State.
More than 400 pre-K-12 teachers will gather for the Fresno version of the event that is taking place across the state at 33 locations, including 21 CSU campuses, with about 20,000 teachers expected to attend statewide.
Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro welcomes the Valley’s top teachers to campus for “this unique opportunity to hear about proven best practices from nationally renowned speakers, fellow teachers and thought leaders in education.
“The California Teachers Summit is a bold opportunity for teachers to come together to collaborate and create a better future for California students,” Castro said.
Participants will learn and share tools, strategies and resources on a variety of topics, including the newly implemented Common Core State Standards Initiative. California adopted the set of standards in 2010, aligning their standards in mathematics and English language arts/literacy with 43 other states.
The Fresno State summit also includes live streaming of two keynote speakers from the Pasadena Convention Center — Yvette Nicole Brown, of NBC comedy “Community,” and Leland Melvin, a football player turned NASA astronaut.
Dr. Dennis Nef, Fresno State‘s vice provost, will deliver the opening welcome. See schedule below.
At Fresno State’s event, an “Ed Talks” session will examine the California Standards from the teachers’ perspective with presentations by:
- Joe Marquez, science teacher for Clovis Unified School District, discussing “It’s not how we TEACH Students; It’s how we REACH Students.”
- Darrell Blanks, assistant professor for Fresno Pacific University and a research associate for AIMS Center for Math and Science Education, on “It’s not What Students Do as Much as What They Think.”
- Adam Ebrahim, consultant in English Language Arts, English Language Development and history/social studies for the Fresno County Office of Education, discussing “Between Stimulus and Response.”
Other speakers include Laura Baker, senior director – New Teacher Center, and Kevin Ashworth – 6th grade teacher, curriculum & instruction mentor, co-founder of EdcampSLO.
The summit also will feature collaboration in “Edcamp” breakout sessions and a networking opportunity. The agenda for the event is available online at http://www.cateacherssummit.com/agenda/index.html.
Registration is free for all teachers, teacher candidates and school administrators. However, nearly all 33 locations, including Fresno, are full. (To check availability and register, see: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/better-together-california-teachers-summit-tickets-17070848367).
The statewide measure is presented by the California State University, the New Teacher Center and the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities. Their various member institutions are hosts of the event with the support of grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other sponsors.
Fresno State’s Kremen School of Education and Human Development is coordinating the local event.
“With roots extending back a century to its teacher college origins, the CSU is honored to host this special day of professional collaboration,” said Dr. Timothy P. White, CSU chancellor. “Through peer learning and exchange, California teachers continue to be at the forefront of classroom innovation – further igniting the spark of learning in their students.”
Event attendees can follow the conversation online, get up-to-date information and share their experience with the tag #CATeachersSummit.
For more information on Fresno State’s California Teachers Summit, contact Anne Murphy, Kremen School project director, at annem@csufresno.edu.
Related links:
Better Together: California Teachers Summit
FRESNO STATE – NORTH GYM, ROOM 118
Friday – July 31, 2015
8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
MEDIA PARKING: Lot P-24 (On Campus Drive, enter from Barstow Ave, east of Cedar)
Original press release: bit.ly/FSN-TeacherSummit15
AGENDA
7:30 – 8:45 Registration and Breakfast
9 a.m. University Welcome: Dr. Dennis Nef, vice provost – Fresno State
9:05 Conference Welcome: Laura Baker, senior director – New Teacher Center
Keynote Speaker #1 (video stream live from Pasadena Convention Center): Yvette Nicole Brown, of NBC’s Community
Ed Talk Speaker #1 (on site): “It’s not how we TEACH Students; It’s how we REACH Students”
— Joe Marquez, science teacher for Clovis Unified School District
10:00 EdCamp Model Sessions: Kevin Ashworth – 6th grade teacher, curriculum & instruction mentor, co-founder of EdcampSLO
NOON LUNCH
12:45 p.m. Ed Talk Speaker #2: “It’s not What Students Do as Much as What They Think.”
— Darrell Blanks, assistant professor for Fresno Pacific University and a research associate for AIMS Center for Math and Science Education, on
Ed Talk Speaker #3: “Between Stimulus and Response”
— Adam Ebrahim, consultant in English Language Arts, English Language Development and history/social studies for the Fresno County Office of Education
Keynote Speaker #2 (video stream live from Pasadena Convention Center): Leland Melvin, football player turned NASA astronaut
12:55 Instagram Moment – photos to commemorate the event with an “I was there” moment.
2:00 Call to Action/Meaning Making Session
Closure
2:45 Optional Networking
MEDIA CONTACT: Tom Uribes, tomu@csufresno.edu or 559.246.1717
Photos by Cary Edmondson
