NEWS Walnut Valley Unified School District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 880 S. Lemon Avenue
April 22, 2014 Walnut, CA 91789
Contact:
Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204
Walnut Valley Staff Attends Mini University
WALNUT, CA—The first-ever Walnut Valley Unified School District Mini University was presented on April 18.
Over 1,000 certificated and classified employees attended the conference held at Walnut High School.
“There’s a million people to thank - this has been a big team effort during the past several weeks,” said Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Matthew Witmer.
“And here we are, I’m very happy to see everyone today!”
Staff members gathered in the gymnasium for the welcome and keynote address.
“I know today will be a great day,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor. “I hope you’re going to learn a lot. I hope you’re going to enjoy it.”
Dr. Taylor said the professional development day would also provide the opportunity for employees to reconnect with friends they don’t get a chance to see every day.
The morning kicked off with keynote speaker Dr. Greg Washington, Dean of the UC Irvine Henry Samueli School of Engineering.
Over 75 breakout sessions followed with a wide-variety of offerings focusing on Common Core State Standards, technology, college and career readiness, and more. A large percentage of the presenters were WVUSD staff members.
Employees around the District gave the professional development day a resounding "thumbs up."
“It was great to be able to spend the day reconnecting with our colleagues from other schools and learning from our peers,” said Helen Papadopoulos, Suzanne Middle School Math and Drama Teacher.
“I thought it was a great day to learn so some new skills and tools to take back to my school. It was extremely well organized and I thought the keynote speaker was very engaging,” said Peggy Laine, Maple Hill Elementary Library Media Technician.
“I shared several conversations with people from various sites. The common theme in those conversations was the contagious excitement people felt about this professional development. I was especially proud to see Walnut High teachers take a leadership role as presenters,” said WHS Instructional Dean Andrea Deligio.
“I’m so glad I participated in the mini-university. Learning from colleagues district-wide was a valuable learning experience,” added Chaparral Middle School Social Studies Teacher Anna Scyoc.
“The mini-university was well-organized and provided a rare opportunity to collaborate with staff at other schools within our district,” said Walnut Elementary Teacher Susan Trautz.
Shown:
Staff members checked in at the WVUSD Mini University Conference held on April 18.
Coffee and friends! Teachers Kellie Muragashi, Crystal Dira, and Ami Garvin having some fun at the WVUSD Mini University on April 18.
Walnut Elementary Custodian Lupe Ochoa and Teacher Dan Park chat before the program.
Over 1,000 WVUSD staff members attended a Mini University Conference on April 18 at Walnut High School. The opening session was held in the gymnasium.
Keynote speaker Dr. Greg Washington shown with Board Member Larry Redinger, and Diamond Bar High Principal Catherine Real before The Index Card Structure Project session.
WVUSD District Teacher of the Year Maggie Strand presented a session for secondary teachers.
Walnut Valley secondary teachers attended the Integrating Curricular Areas into Common Core Lessons presented by Chaparral Teacher Parchi Gammell.
Integrating Technology in the Elementary Classroom was presented by South Pointe Middle School Teachers Wendy Cadima and Deb Brady.
Grade level coordinators, counselors, administrators and teachers attended the College Admissions Workshop held in the library.
Classified and certificated employees enjoyed learning together during the True Colors afternoon session.