News Release

February 20, 2001

State Superintendent to visit ROP classroom in Santa Ynez

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin will visit Santa Ynez on Tuesday, February 27, to observe a new class on Teaching Careers taught by Tory Babcock as part of the Regional Occupational Program classes operated by the Santa Barbara County Education Office.

The class demonstration will be held from noon to 2 p.m. in the Board Room of Santa Ynez High School.

Eastin will also be shown the new video conferencing equipment used by the class to facilitate distance learning for the students.

"Teaching Careers" is a course designed to educate students about the teaching profession, according to Tory Babcock, who designed and teaches the course. Students work in the classroom part of the week, where they learn about classroom management, curriculum design and lesson planning, the various methodologies good teachers use, technology, assessment, multiple intelligences and how to elicit critical thinking from students. Out in the field, the students work side-by-side with high power elementary school teachers at various sites to learn firsthand what the job entails.

"The innovative class on Teaching Careers is already changing lives, from what we can tell, and the new videoconferencing equipment is state-of-the-art instructional technology," explained County Superintendent Bill Cirone, whose office coordinates the program in cooperation with the Santa Ynez High School District.

"We are so honored that Delaine Eastin accepted the invitation by Santa Ynez High School District Superintendent Fred Van Leuven to visit the program and see its effectiveness," he added.