Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education & Psychology Hosts Second Annual Better Together: California Teachers Summit

LOS ANGELES – June 29, 2016 – Today, the Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology hosts the second annual Better Together: California Teachers Summit, a unique day of learning led by teachers, for teachers, at Pepperdine’s West Los Angeles Graduate Campus.

Organized by the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), the California State University (CSU), and New Teacher Center (NTC), the Better Together: California Teachers Summit brings together teachers at nearly 40 locations across the state, including Pepperdine’s West Los Angeles Graduate Campus, to share ideas, network, and learn effective strategies for implementing the new California Standards in their classrooms. The program features keynote addresses by education leaders, TED-style EdTalks presented by local teachers, and EdCamp discussions around timely topics such as the California Standards in English/Language Arts and Math, and the Next Generation Science Standards. In addition to these features, teachers were also provided access to new resources and concrete tools that are already working in classrooms across the state.

Educator Kelly Gallagher and actor Ernie Hudson spoke as the keynote speakers of today’s event, which was livestreamed at each location throughout the state.

Gallagher devoted himself to the teaching of reading, writing, listening and speaking — first and foremost, as a high school ELA teacher in Anaheim, California, and also as an author and consultant who works with educators around the world. He is a teacher and author of Reading Reasons: Motivational Mini-Lessons for Middle and High School; Deeper Reading: Comprehending Challenging Texts, 4-12; Teaching Adolescent Writers; Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It; and Write Like This.

Hudson is a talented actor, author and public speaker. Perhaps best known for his role in the hit Ghostbusters movies, Ernie also appeared in The Crow, Law and Order and HBO’s award winning series Oz. But his road to fame had its share of hardships, and he learned some important life lessons along the way. From the housing projects to Hollywood, Ernie’s story is an inspiring testament to the power of education in helping kids overcome adversity and succeed against all odds. A lifelong learner, he cares deeply about ensuring that all students, no matter what their background, have access to a quality education.

The summit is free to all California PreK-12 teachers, teacher candidates, school administrators, and other educators.

To learn more information about the event, please visit: cateacherssummit.com

Follow the Better Together: California Teachers Summit on Facebook and Twitter for updates, and join the conversation using the hashtag #CATeachersSummit and #WhyITeach.

About the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP)

The Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) is an innovative learning community where faculty, staff, and students of diverse cultures and perspectives work collaboratively to foster academic excellence, social purpose and personal fulfillment. Through its integrative coursework and practical training, GSEP prepares students to serve the needs of others through skilled leadership. GSEP offers seven master's and five doctoral programs across its five graduate campus locations throughout Southern California and online. Programs are fully accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the American Psychological Association.

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Media Contacts:

Emma Gibson | Dashaun Gasque

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

emma.gibson@pepperdine.edu | dashaun.gasque@pepperdine.edu