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Those of us who visit Santa Barbara County classrooms on a regular
basis can see at a glance the extra dedication of our teachers. Up and
down this county, teachers all seem ready to go that extra mile for
the benefit of their students.
There's another easy way to measure that devotion, and it's as simple
as looking at the signups for the annual teacher conference my office
sponsors during the summer—those days when teachers on a traditional
calendar schedule are supposed to be on break.
Last year hundreds of teachers from throughout the county devoted some
of those precious vacation days to our workshops, and signups for this
year are even higher. "Time well spent," was a typical reaction
to our programs.
The workshops are geared to teachers' actual classroom needs, and the
participation has always been impressive.
In a change this year, the conference will feature one- and two-day
institutes on Monday, August 13 through Thursday, August 16, and then
a traditional day of mini-sessions on Friday, August 17, all at Santa
Ynez Valley Union High School, located in the middle of the county.
The conference focuses on new strategies and materials to improve student
learning, with special emphasis on the tools needed to meet state curriculum
standards.
Many of the presenters will be Santa Barbara County teachers, sharing
their proven ideas with their colleagues.
The ideas and techniques that emerge from these workshops enable teachers
to begin the school year with enthusiasm, and with some concrete ideas
they can use the first day in their classrooms.
The workshops are an opportunity to support and enhance the fine job
teachers are doing throughout our county. It is an opportunity for all
educators to gain insights into the topics that are covered, especially
in terms of being supportive of all youngsters. It is very heartening
that so many county educators have typically taken advantage of this
opportunity for professional development.
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