LOS ANGELES COLLABORATIVE FOR TEACHER EXCELLENCE (LACTE)
FUTURE TEACHERS CONFERENCE
The Future Teachers Conference is a one-day conference for prospective and new elementary teachers and secondary math and science teachers. The conference is held on a Saturday from 8:30 am to 3:00 p.m. and open to all future and new teachers.
The Planning Team
The planning team consists of future teachers, K-12 faculty, college/university and faculty. The students on the planning team see first-hand the process of planning and implementing a conference. We are confident that after these students enter the teaching profession, they will take leadership roles in planning meetings and conferences for their schools, school districts, and professional organizations.
The Planning Process
The planning process takes about 2 months and we meet about 4-5 times for formal planning meetings.
Under the guidance of the faculty, the student planners are responsible for:
- selecting the topics for the sessions
- finding the speakers for the sessions
- making arrangements for morning refreshments and lunch
- preparing the packets for distribution on the day of the conference
- securing the raffle prizes
- presiding the sessions
The college/university faculty are responsible for:
- sharing ideas about the desired qualities of speakers
- supporting the students as they find speakers/keynote speaker
- preparing and distributing the agendas and minutes for the planning meetings
- preparing the materials for the packets
- preparing and distributing correspondence with the speakers
- securing stipends for the speakers (optional)
- handling the expenses for the conference
- securing the raffle prizes
A Sample of the Session Topics
Typically 4-5 sessions run concurrently. Some of the topic sessions are listed below.
Classroom Management for the Elementary School Classroom
Classroom Management for the Secondary School Classroom
Hands-on Science Lessons for the Elementary School Classroom
Hands-on Math Lessons for the Elementary School Classroom
Hands-on Science Lessons in Biology and Physics
Using the Graphing Calculator (TI-92) in the High School Math Classroom
A New Teacher Panel for the Elementary Grades
A New Teacher Panel for the Secondary Grades
The Bilingual and Dual Immersion Classroom
Using Technology in the Elementary School Classroom
Integrated Student-Centered Technology Lessons
“El Nino Impacts”--a Interdisciplinary Lesson for the High School Science
Interview Strategies and Resume Writing
Teacher Credentialing
Teaching Technology Through Literacy
DNA Earring Making - A Science Lesson for Middle School Students
A Principal’s Advice to New Teachers
Salaries and Benefits
How to Become a Substitute Teacher and the Tricks of the Trade
Empowering Students in Your Classroom
The Evaluations
We ask the attendees to complete an evaluation form at the end of the day. Those who complete the evaluation receive a raffle ticket for an attendance prize drawing. We have had great success with this plan; about 80% of the attendees completed the evaluation form. The attendance prizes included: LACTE sweatshirts, LACTE t-shirts, free passes to the California Science Center, free passes to the Natural History Museum, free passes to Disneyland, National Math and Science Standards documents, and teaching resources.
Student responses from the evaluation include:
Were you more likely/less likely to become a teacher after attending the Future Teachers Conference?
“I made up my mind to teach long ago. This just helped me to see different views and learn many more things that will help me when I teach.”
“My mind did not change. I am more motivated now.”
“I feel even more strongly about teaching and giving students a high quality of education.”
“The information received at the symposium gave me a better overview of what lies ahead for me, thus taking away any doubts that I had.”
“Very excited and still excited, thanks!”
What was the best part of the day?
“Information on what to expect of the chosen profession, myself and the school.”
“Just getting a chance to talk with teachers about teaching.”
“Before I was afraid of classroom management but after today’s symposium, I think that I can handle it.”
“Thinking about the credential process has been scaring me but the symposium gave me hope”
“The principal’s advice session. How do I get a job at her school?”
“Talking with the ‘new teachers’ at lunch.”
“Definitely the workshops. They were informative and answered many of my questions.”
What would you like to see at next year’s Future Teachers Conference?
“”More math and science lessons for the upper elementary grades.”
“Chemistry lessons for the high school classroom.”
“How to prepare a lesson.”
“What kind of problems teachers face when students are not prepared for the grade level.”
“Preparing your professional portfolio.”
“Student teaching discussions.”
“Many schools don’t have money to buy supplies/tools/manipulatives. A session on creative ways to get these for little or no cost will help us new teachers.”
“A 2 day conference. I was not able to get to see all of the sessions I wanted to see.”
Planning Handbook
A handbook detailing the event and the planning process was produced with support from the Los Angeles Collaborative for Teacher Excellence (NSF-DUE #94-53608). For information or a copy of the planning handbook for the Future Teachers Conference, contact Dr. Judy Kasabian by mail, Department of Mathematics, El Camino College, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 90506-0001; by phone 310.660.3218; or by e-mail . Future Teachers Conference Handbook is also available on-line at
LOS ANGELES COLLABORATIVE FOR TEACHER EXCELLENCE (LACTE)
MEET THE TEACHERS ROUNDTABLE: CONNECTING FUTURE TEACHERS WITH ROLE MODEL TEACHERS
The Meet the Teachers Roundtable is a half-day highly interactive workshop, where prospective teachers participate in exemplary lessons taught by talented K-12 teachers, learn how to present those lessons, and make appointments to observe in the classrooms of role model teachers. The word "Roundtable" in the event's name reflects the fact that the teachers present their lessons to small groups of eight or nine future teachers at round tables. The intimate roundtable grouping is an innovative feature, which enables the role model teachers to interact on a more personal level with future teachers.
The Planning Team
A planning team of two to five college faculty can organize a Roundtable event. Faculty with connections to K-12 teachers and who can identify excellent role model teachers are indispensable members of the team.
The Planning Process
The active planning process takes two to three months; but normally the reservation for a large room must be made farther in advance. A single large open room works well for the event. Having a raised platform at one end is especially useful for the welcoming remarks and introduction of the teachers. Large round tables placed around the edges of the room provide ideal workspace for the model lessons. Allow six weeks to secure the K-12 role model teachers and several more weeks to obtain information about their lessons. Begin publicity about six weeks before the event.
Sample Lessons by the Role Model Teachers
Typically 10-12 lessons take place concurrently. Students attend three lessons each 30 minutes in length. Sample Roundtable lessons are described below.
Genetic Jewelry - learn the structure of DNA by making DNA earrings
Bears in the Forest - look at limiting factors of a population of black bears
Dominant and Recessive Genes - toss coins to observe the frequency of dominant and recessive genes
Reducing Fractions with Linoleum Tiles - see what “reducing” fractions really means
Bird Beaks - experience how adaptions play a role in the development of bird beaks
How Fair is This Game? - experience probability in games
Exploring Math and Science Concepts in Simple Machines - investigate the concepts of mechanical advantage and ratio of Lego Dacta gear kits
Discover My World: GLOOP! - participants will mix 3 common ingredients to make "gloop" and investigate its properties
Where Do I Belong? - describe and classify different types of leaves
Evaluation
We ask each teacher and future teacher to complete an evaluation form at the end of the event. Comments from participants include:
"I really like the idea of the camera out of a Quaker oats container! I think that kids would love this project! By doing a hands-on activity, students realize that light doesn't bend and that pictures are taken upside down! I also like the idea of using M&M's to learn about probability - this way kids can relate math to every day activities!"
“I feel great knowing that I can call these teachers for future resources and for observations. They were all very helpful and encouraging.”
"This roundtable gave a lot of opportunity to get a feel for what's going on out there in different schools. I really loved it!"
“It was nice to have a variety of grade levels since I am still unsure of the grade level I would like to teach. I liked that even though I wasn’t able to attend every lesson – could still get a lesson plan.”
"This has been one of the best workshops that I have attended regarding education…because we were able to take part in the activities rather than sit and listen to speakers and how they do it. The half-day format was perfect."
Planning Handbook
A handbook detailing the event and the planning process was produced with support from the Los Angeles Collaborative for Teacher Excellence (NSF-DUE #94-53608). For information or a copy of the planning handbook for the Meet the Teachers Roundtable, contact Jackie Dewar by mail, Department of Mathematics, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Way-Suite 2700, Los Angeles, CA 90045; by phone 310.338.2774; or by e-mail . Meet the Teachers Roundtable Planning Handbook is also available on-line at