Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/635847
Scenes from the conference (#CTAIC16): Expanded training for local presidents Local presidents wanted more — more time for network- ing, building skills and learning. And now they're getting it: CTA is developing several Presidents Academy modules, and the first, "Reframing Your Work," was held during the 2016 Issues Conference. The session focused on the president's role as a leader and organizer, with a goal of strengthening organizational culture. It included campaign structures to accomplish given goals as well as community and mem- ber engagement strategies. San Pasqual Teachers Association President Gina Hanna-Wilson says the sessions are good for new and "more seasoned leaders. Learning about the 'distributed leadership' will allow for more opportunities to coach and build new leaders in my chapter." Other presidents said hearing colleagues' experi- ences will help them with their day-to-day work as a local leader. The Long-Term Strategic Plan Implementation Work- group saw the need for this type of support in surveying and working with members, said Kendall Vaught, a member of the Training and Development Committee of the CTA Board. "The Presidents Academy series will provide ongoing support for presidents as they develop as leaders and meet new challenges," Vaught said. "It will build upon skills and content begun at the Presidents Conference and address how those skills can be used to meet the immediate needs of participants attending the training." ALICIA GARCIA and MERCEDES VILORIA, Calipatria Unified Teachers Association, speak with DICK GALE, program director of the Institute for Teaching (IFT), about IFT's grants supporting teacher-driven projects. The projects focus on reducing high school dropouts, enhancing early childhood education, and promoting the development of higher-level math skills and STEM education. STEPHANIE LIGGINS, San Bernardino Teachers Association, and TYRONE WEEMS, United Teachers of Richmond, got a lot out of the conference sessions. JANECE BOYD, Rialto Education Association, took a technology tips and tools workshop and was able to immediately apply what she learned. Kendall Vaught Los Alamitos Gina Hanna-Wilson San Pasqual Valley Carol Courneya Beverly Hills Deisy Bates Hayward 49 February 2016