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professional development opportunities
professional development opportunities
We here at Cal/West are fortunate to have a pool of bright, passionate candidates, as well as a group of talented, dedicated school leaders with whom we work very closely. It is our pleasure to bring these groups together in ways that serve not only candidates seeking new positions but also the school communities they ultimately join and the students whose lives they touch.
We are proud to help our constituents expand their horizons. Here are some of the ways in which we are committed to professional development: Diversity Symposiums "I was pleasantly surprised by how many 'take away' ideas I gathered from this discussion. The format and encouragement of the sponsors and speakers helped to get people to the fish bowl to offer perspectives. I love having a professional development opportunity mixed in with the stress of a job fair." ~Alyce B. At Cal/West we have always valued a strong commitment to supporting diversity in the independent, private, and charter schools with which we work. Each year, as an added component to our Connection Events, we have held a Diversity Symposium the night before or the morning of each of our first events of the year in Northern and Southern California. These symposiums have taken a variety of forms – from panels, to speakers, to "fish bowl" conversations – all providing opportunities for school leaders and candidates alike to explore and expand their own commitment to and understanding of diversity in our school communities. We are currently partnering with San Francisco University High School, Marin Academy, and St. Mark’s School in San Rafael to plan our 2012 Northern California event, and look forward to creating additional partnerships as we move forward. Candidate Workshops "The Interviewing Skills Workshop at Cal West was extremely useful and informative. It was particularly helpful to hear from administrators and their perspective on what to do and not to do in an interview. The workshop gave me that extra boost of confidence I needed to begin the interview process." ~ Deirdre A. Lunch Bunch Discussions "I attended the Demo Lessons discussion. It was a great topic and the leader had great advice!" ~Paula C. At each Cal/West Connection Event we invite school leaders to guide very informal “Lunch Bunch” discussions with candidates on topics of their choosing related to the independent school world. Candidates choose a table discussing a topic that is interesting and relevant to them. Topics this year included “Interview Do's and Don’ts,” Parent-Teacher Relationships in Independent Schools,” “Diversity and Inclusion Work With Students,” and many more. Feedback from both candidate and school administrator participants has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, and we look forward to continuing this activity at future events. Emerging Leaders Workshops "The Faculty's willingness to share personal experiences, wisdom, and practical advice serves as a reminder that we, as educators, have a responsibility to support our profession. Their willingness to "give back" to those of us who can never return the favor ... is appreciated and serves as an important lesson to remember for the future." ~Tim K. In the Fall of 2007, with the support of a faculty of several independent school leaders, the inaugural Emerging Leaders Workshop was created. It was a great success and has informed and inspired hundreds of educators over the following years. Each year, independent school heads throughout California and the West are invited to nominate members of their school communities whom they feel are exceptional educators on their way to being strong leaders. These individuals attend a day long workshop hosted by Cal/West led by the experienced faculty. To view the schedule of upcoming Professional Development Opportunities, please be sure to view our Calendar of Events for Candidates or our Calendar of Events for Schools. |
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