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CTA Summer Institute

By Nam Nguyen - SCTA Communications Editor - UC Davis

I have attended many CTA/SCTA events now including the CTA Region 2 Conference at the Squaw Creek Lodge and Resort, the SCTA Northern and Southern Regional Conferences, the SCTA Fall Leadership Conference and the SCTA Representative Assembly - but nothing compares to the weeklong conference called The CTA Summer Institute.

The event offered four "strands" to choose from: the Negotiations and Finance Strand; the Instruction and Professional Development Strand; the Communications Strand; and the Community College Association Strand. Being the Communications Editor for SCTA offered me the opportunity to attend the communications strand where I learned about public speaking, newsletters and websites.

The most rewarding aspect of the Summer Institute was being able to network with teachers from throughout the state. By eating breakfast, lunch and dinner with them, I moved beyond the typical conversation and made friendships with many. I learned about the benefits, drawbacks and problems each district faced and this knowledge will help me decide what and where to teach. I found this conference invaluable because it rejuvinated my desire to teach, clarified questions and will help me make the proper decisions regarding my teaching career.