Area educators meeting at Fresno Pacific University joined thousands of California teachers in the Better Together: California Teachers Summit.
The FPU main campus was one of 38 locations for the second annual summit, billed as a “day of learning led by teachers, for teachers.” The event is designed to “build a powerful statewide network of peers and enable teachers to share strategies for implementing the new California standards,” according to organizers.
About 80 participants at FPU July 29 viewed statewide keynote addresses from speakers including teacher and author Kelly Gallagher, who spoke about the importance of integrating writing across curriculums, and actor Ernie Hudson, who shared his story of rising out of poverty to launch a successful career in Hollywood, with the help of his teachers. There were also local presentations and break-out sessions on topics such as the California Standards in English/Language Arts and Math and the Next Generation Science Standards. “This summit is a great opportunity to draw on teachers’ expertise and lessons learned in classrooms across the state,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. “Together, we can ensure our students are well-prepared for 21st century careers and college.”
Better Together was a partnership between the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), the California State University (CSU) and the New Teacher Center. The AICCU represents 75 private nonprofit colleges and universities enrolling 320,000 students. The California State University is the largest comprehensive university in the country, serving 474,600 students at 23 campuses. Founded by teachers, the New Teacher Center is a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving student learning by guiding a new generation of educators.
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(Photo courtesy of Becky Field)