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Education: It's What We Make It!

By Monica Masino - State Council Representative - Argosy University

This year's Fall Leadership Conference, November 16 - 17 at the Santa Clara Marriott, was a great success! We met student members and advisors from across the state. We shared ideas and created campus alliances with fellow members. This year's theme was "Education: It's What We Make It!"

The Fall Leadership Conference focused on issues of teacher quality, community outreach and political action. Conference workshops included the following:

• Toeing the Line: The New Rules for Credentialing and Professional Development in California
• Family-School-Community Partnerships
• Speaking with Credibility
• How to Get a Grant
• Creating Stronger Chapters
• Attacks on Public Education
• Politics and Legislation: The Government is in Your Classroom
• Hints for a Successful Job Search

With almost 200 members representing 45 campuses in attendance, each workshop was packed to its capacity. Chapter leaders from the same campus were encouraged to split up and attend different workshops so that they could bring a variety of information back to their chapters.

In addition to the workshops, a teacher panel was presented. Many thanks to Imelda Murillo, LeCheryl Law, Jeannie Shim, Tamara Conners and Larry Allen for volunteering to be part of the panel and sharing their experiences. Panelists addressed a variety of issues including high stakes testing, how to prepare for a sub, how to involve parents, etc.

There were two honored guest speakers including Dawn Shephard, National Education Association Student Program Chairperson, and most honored mentor, educator, and leader of over 335,000 educators throughout the state, President of the California Teachers Association, Mr. Wayne Johnson.