Educators' Conference Makes Up Difference in State Budget Cuts for Teachers
The California Kindergarten Association (CKA) announces its 22nd Annual California Kindergarten Conference (CKC) to be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center on January 17 and 18, 2004.
(PRWEB) January 9, 2004
The California Kindergarten Association (CKA) announces its 22nd Annual California Kindergarten Conference (CKC) to be held at: The Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA. The conference dates are Saturday and Sunday, January 17 and 18, 2004. A PreConference Institute will take place on Friday, January 16.
Among the many objectives of the California Kindergarten Association is its commitment to quality education for young children by promoting the value and importance of kindergarten, its leadership and the advancement of teachers’ professionalism. Conference Committee Chair, Sr. Judith Reagan shares, “The weekend promises to be an exciting gathering for ideas, energy and activities that encourage teachers to make a difference in the world of children. Now, more than ever, we need to focus on our children, how they learn and what they learn. I can’t think of a more perfect way to help meet those goals than attending the California Kindergarten Conference.”
In its 22 years, the California Kindergarten Conference has provided thousands of educators with a variety of workshops presented by practicing teachers and experts in the field. This year, 144 seventy-five minute workshop sessions will focus on Content Standards in a variety of subjects including: language development, mathematics, reading, PE/movement, the arts, science and other subjects that aid educators in the classroom. Volunteer teachers, currently working and retired, spend a year developing the CKC, with the goal of providing the most up-to-date research methods and innovative teaching techniques. The CKC has become an essential resource for many teachers as it provides a setting for sharing, learning and professional growth as school budgets have continued to be cut.
The California Kindergarten Conference is attended not only by kindergarten teachers, but preschool teachers, elementary school teachers, administrators, early childhood education professors and parents, from several states and countries. The CKC presents current research and creative techniques and strategies to assist teachers in bringing new ideas to implement State and National Standards. Past attendees say they leave the conference inspired and refreshed. Conference attendees may also be eligible for one academic unit of credit through San Francisco State University (E Ed e 697) or one to three professional development units through Fresno Pacific University.
The California Kindergarten Conference will host their 15th Annual Young Children’s Art Exhibit where this engaging and popular exhibit features classroom art in the forms of mobiles, prints, quilts, sculptures, drawings, collages, puppets, paintings and more. Art docents will be available to explain the academic ties many of these projects have to language arts, math, and science concepts for the young learner. Santa Clara’s Mayor Patricia Mahan will be present to welcome the conference to Santa Clara. Mayor Mahan shares, “The city of Santa Clara is looking forward to hosting in the 22nd annual California Kindergarten Conference. I am excited about participating in the children’s art exhibit and showcasing the artwork in our newly redecorated convention center for others to see. It is an important way for others to see how efforts like this positively impact education in our communities.”
The keynote address, this year, presented by Valerie Welk, M. Ed., from Fresno, CA. Ms. Welk will speak on “Love, Laughter, and Life! Learning Lessons from Today’s Kindergarteners”. Ms. Welk shares, “The conference is important to attend because it concentrates on the development of our teachers and classrooms. Budgets are lean so it’s critical to have a forum where we focus on this foundation grade in our educational system to give our children the most enriching experience.”
Over 100 exhibits especially designed for Early Primary Grades will be open on Saturday from 7:30 a. m. to 6:00 p. m. and on Sunday from 8:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m. The exhibits will be open to the public.
CKA is a non-profit organization that actively fosters public awareness of quality primary education for diverse student populations. Core objectives include advancing educator professionalism, development and leadership; enhancing the quality and value of education for kindergarten children; promoting active communication among teachers, administrators, parents, policy-makers, legislators and others interested in early childhood education; and review trends and issues, and disseminating research in education. Key CKA programs offered integrate and assist in the development and implementation of enriching curricula to meet the diverse needs of young children in our communities. Additional information and conference registration can be found by visiting the CKA website at www. ckanet. org or call a staff member at the California Kindergarten Association office at (916) 780-5331.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ø Is the Kindergarten Conference only for Kindergarten teachers?
Not at all, at our Conference we try to support all the aspects of Kindergarten for the teacher and childÂ’s growth, as well as, all that surrounds Kindergarten such as pre-school and first grade. Our Conference is for teachers to give support and new ideas and information to enrich the young child.
Ø Who can come?
We hope our conference provides enough substance to meet the needs and enrich all who are connected to 5 year olds in some way. We try to cover all areas of the curriculum and hope parents, administrators, superintendents, politicians and all who want to discover new ways to enrich the young child will come.
Ø What about all these other Kindergarten Conferences? Are you all connected?
Well yes and no. We began 22 years ago in order to offer support to teachers of kindergarten whose fellow educators and sometimes administrators made the assumption that Kindergarten children played all day and therefore the teacher had an “easy life” with the only task being supervision.
Once we were established, our founder, Judy Brown, did a lot of outreach to other areas to help them begin local conferences for their teachers. We continue to assist others when asked to help.
