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ed by retired educator George Lightholder, aka Dr. Flubber. Participants created the paper aircrafts and were shown how to toss them around “tubes of air” to demonstrate the concept of aerodynamics. “I teach earth science, and little tricks like these are fun for kids at the beginning or end of a lab as at- tention grabbers,” said Bill Gar- denhire, a member of the Sierra Unified Teachers Association. Meanwhile, in a session called “Rebels with Applause: Brain Compatibility Approaches for Motivating Reluctant Learners,” education consultant Grace Dearborn demonstrated specific “brain-based” strategies for im- proving the achievement of stu- dents who have the hardest time paying attention and doing their work. Strategies included ways of making classes meaningful, en- gaging students and offering them encouragement with “gen- tle” high-fives, which teachers practiced on each other, gently. “I have a few students who are not always engaged and not al- ways listening,” said Nora Ayala, a member of the Southwest Teach- ers Association and third-grade teacher, who high-fived Erin Ar- redondo, an Irvine Teachers As- sociation member and high school science teacher. Laura Parker, a Tustin Teach- ers Association member at the workshop, said it was exciting to receive the most up-to-date in- formation on brain research and have the instructor link it to spe- cific achievement strategies. “I’ve heard wonderful things about this conference for years, and this is the first time I’ve come,” said Parker. “It’s very ex- citing and motivating.” Inside the “Basic American Sign Language and Games” workshop, teachers practiced let- ters of the alphabet and basic words like “nice” and “name,” with the help of Breanna An- drews, a San Bernardino Com- munity College Association member. Participant Michael Lee, a member of the Sulphur Springs District Teachers Asso- ciation, said he planned to use sign language in his general edu- cation second-grade classroom to help students focus and increase their overall language compre- hension while Katherine Jordan, a member of the Bakersfield Ele- mentary Teachers Association, thought it might help her pre- kindergarten class of English learners become fluent. New this year was a section called “Outliers of Love: Teen Dating Violence,” conducted by Sheri Dorn, an English teacher and member of the Upland Teachers Association. “It was a good session,” said Rosario Cortes-Quiñones, a high school counselor and member of the Rialto Education Association, who decided to take the workshop because she has encountered vic- tims of teen violence at her school. “There were many things talked about that I could relate to, and it’s important to recognize the signs of teen violence and understand how to deal with it.” The conference, held annually in Northern and Southern edi- tions, allows teachers to earn pro- fessional growth hours and uni- versity credit for participation. You can find registration info be- ginning in September at cta.org/ conferences. You can also apply for a grant (limited number available) or apply to be a presenter. “It was a very well-organized conference,” said Gardenhire, the science teacher from Sierra Uni- fied. “It’s nice to get treated like the professionals that we are, and I feel positively rejuvenated by the experience.” SHERRY POSNICK-GOODWIN APRIL 2011 | www.cta.org 29 Azusa Pacific University SCHOOL OF EDUCATION Beverly Gonzalez, M.A. ’99 Santa Fe Elementary School 2011 California Teacher of the Year Earn your degree from a university known for excellence in education. Azusa Pacific has a reputation for consistently producing innovative and comprehensively prepared educators. Our graduates serve as teachers, counselors, coaches, and administrators throughout Southern California, and are known in their schools and districts as leaders in their field. Choose from more than 40 credential and degree options at APU, and join a 112-year legacy of commitment to excellence in education. Programs start five times throughout the year. Contact us today! www.apu.edu/explore/education (800) 825-5278 11031 AZUSA | HIGH DESERT | INLAND EMPIRE | LOS ANGELES | MURRIETA ORANGE COUNTY | SAN DIEGO | VENTURA COUNTY | ONLINE