MEDIA INFORMATION RATES & DEADLINES...PLUS Day of the Teacher Poster inside back cover TION BEGINS om: CALIFORNIA 5 Y OF THE TEACHER AN HASTEN 2015 Day of the Teacher poster layout

Holding charter schools accountableThe all-day kindergarten debate PAGE 20 PAGE 26

A P R I L 2 0 1 5 V O L U M E 1 9 I S S U E 8

Hazardousharvests

Salinas educators join efforts to

improve agricultural pesticide safety

TheNew

Dogsof Reading

How our canine four-legged friends

are helping kids learn

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CODING ISCOOLComputer science is not just a gamePAGE 14

PLUS Day of the Teacher Poster inside back coverWHERE SCHOOL INNOVATION BEGINS

Printed in part from contributions from:

CALIFORNIAMAY 13, 2015

DAY OF THE TEACHER

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Tips for Talking About RaceHow you can turn

recent events into powerful

teachable moments

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RenownedTurnaroundCTA’s 8-year QEIA program yields valuable lessons for schools everywhere PAGE 23

‘Model

PAGE 9

A narrow perception of Asian students ignores their unique challenges

Minority’Do you look beyond the myth?

DON’T MISS: Summer Reading List PAGE 13

TAXATION: Make it Fair PAGE 38

A U G U S T 2 0 1 5 V O L U M E 2 0 I S S U E 1

WHAT I WISHI’D KNOWN

Back to SchoolI S S U E

my first day of school PAGE 20

Member Benefits report

PAGE 59Teachers in training

PAGE 24

Friedrichs v. CTA PAGE 36

English fluency in flux PAGE 44

Best Drawing Apps PAGE 14 Unusual Classes PAGE 22 Talking Tests With Parents PAGE 41

BROWNIS THE NEWGREEN

PAGE 56

CTA Disaster Relief Fund Aids Members

The drought’s impact on the hardest-hit students, schools and communitiesPAGE 26

Smart Snacking PAGE 16

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 V O L U M E 2 0 I S S U E 3 Bat ManTHE REAL

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2017MEDIA INFORMATION RATES & DEADLINES

The official publication of the

California Teachers Association

Reaching over 650,000 Teachers, Administrators, and Education Decision-makers with every issue

California Offset Printers – Publishing GroupAdvertising Contact:

Lisa Neely 818-660-5828

[email protected]

620 W. Elk Ave, Glendale, CA 91204

mailto:[email protected]

California Educator MagazineThe official publication of the California Teachers Association

Every issue focuses on the professional interests and

well-being of California teachers. This high-quality,

perfect-bound, four-color magazine is published nine

times a year and mailed directly to readers’ homes.

The magazine reaches over 650,000, including:

• K-12 classroom teachers• Community college and state university faculty• School psychologists• Counselors• Librarians• Curriculum specialists• Student teachers• Retired teachers• Education support professionals

As well as:• Legislators• School board members• Principals and superintendents• State officials• Education agencies and boards

Best Drawing Apps PAGE 14

Unusual Classes PAGE 22

Talking Tests With Parents PAGE 41

BROWNIS THE NEW

GREEN

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Tips for Talking

About RaceHow you can turn


teachable moments

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‘Model

PAGE 9

A narrow perception of Asian students ignores

their unique challenges

Minority’Do you look

beyond the myth?

DON’T MISS: Summer Reading List PAGE 13TAXATION: Make it Fair PAGE 38





Member Benefits report PAGE 59

Teachers in trainingPAGE 24



Over 150 years of service California Offset Printers – Publishing GroupAdvertising Contact:

Lisa Neely 818-660-5828

[email protected]



California Educator MagazineThe official publication of the California Teachers Association

Best Drawing Apps PAGE 14

Unusual Classes PAGE 22

Talking Tests With Parents PAGE 41

BROWNIS THE NEW

GREEN

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PAGE 21



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TheNew

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DAY OF THE TEACHER

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Tips for Talking

About RaceHow you can turn


teachable moments

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‘Model

PAGE 9

A narrow perception of Asian students ignores

their unique challenges

Minority’Do you look

beyond the myth?

DON’T MISS: Summer Reading List PAGE 13TAXATION: Make it Fair PAGE 38





Member Benefits report PAGE 59

Teachers in trainingPAGE 24



Over 325,000 members of the CTA

WHO WE AREFounded in 1863, the California Teachers Association has become one of the strongest advocates for educators in the country. CTA includes teachers, counselors, school librarians, social workers, psychologists, and nurses. These educators in the K-12 school system are joined by community college faculty, California State University faculty, and education support profession-als to make CTA the most inclusive and most powerful voice of educators in the state.

TEACHERS & OTHER CERTIFICATED MEMBERS

CTA certificated members include teachers, counselors, school librar-ians, social workers, psychologists, and nurses who work in more than 1,000 school districts.

EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS

The thousands of paraprofessionals, office workers, bus drivers, custo-dians & maintenance staff in our schools play a crucial role. ESPs are essential in the K-12 workplace.

HIGHER ED PROFESSIONALS

Instructors in many community colleges belong to the Community College Association, a CTA higher ed affiliate. CSU faculty belong to the California Faculty Association, which is also a CTA higher ed affiliate.

CTA/NEA-RETIRED MEMBERS

Retired members of CTA and the Na-tional Education Association continue their involvement with CTA by vol-unteering in election campaigns and representing retirees’ special needs on CTA’s State Council of Education.

STUDENT CTAStudent CTA (SCTA) provides professional development, net-working and commu-nity outreach oppor-tunities to college students pursuing careers in education.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

45%

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

55%

California Offset Printers – Publishing GroupAdvertising Contact:

Lisa Neely 818-660-5828

[email protected]



Ad Size SPECS W X H 1x 3x 6X 8x2 Page Spread

16.5x10.25 $12213 $11603 $10992 $9771

Bookend spread 1 & 1/3

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$9890 $9395 $8900 $7913

Full Page 8.25 x10.25 $6885 $6612 $6169 $5485

Half V or H 8.25 x 5.25 or 4.125 x 10.25

$4169 $3902 $3702 $3335

Third Vertical 2.792 x 10.25 $3035 $2883 $2731 $2248

CTA Advertising PoliciesAll advertising copy is subject to approval by the California Teachers Association. The California Educator reserves the right not to publish any advertising copy submitted within its sole and absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever. The California Educator will not accept or print: political advertising; classified advertising; advertising for any employment positions that may adversely impact our members and/or mission of CTA; advertising for educational programs, except for courses offered for credit by member universities of: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (or the regional equivalent), the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, or courses in law offered by institutions approved by the California State Bar Association; advertising for legal, negotiation or representational services between faculty/staff and their employers; advertising simulating editorial content; advertising deemed misleading or offensive to members, inconsistent with the programs and purposes of the association, or in conflict with the association-sponsored programs; advertising for tobacco or alcoholic beverages; advertising for insurance companies (independent brokers or agents) marketing annuity products, life insurance and related products that are: a) not in one of the top two categories as rated by at least two of the following major rating firms: S&P, Moody’s, Duff & Phelps, AM Best; or b) rated below the fourth category of any one of the major rating firms listed above. (Should an insurance company drop below the standards during the term of an advertising contract with the California Educator, the magazine will discontinue publishing the advertising and make a pro rata refund of the amounts paid for advertisements not yet run. CTA has the right to limit the amount of advertising for tax-deferred annuities as well as to deter-mine the size of ads available for sale to any insurance company.) These rules are subject to change at any time. The California Educator will attempt to notify advertisers that its advertising copy is not conforming as soon as possible. Nonetheless, if conforming copy is not received by closing date, the non-conforming copy will not be published, no cancellations after space close.

Contact your Publisher’s Representative to reserve ad placement today!Lisa Neely 818-660-5828 [email protected]

AD RATES, SPECIFICATIONS Every Issue of California Educator reaches over 650,000 members of the CTA.

All ads and advertisers must be approved by the CTA publisher prior to publishing. CTA reserves the right to reject any advertiser or advertising at its sole discretion.Digital Files Only, Press-ready PDF (300 dpi CMYK; Fonts embedded). For bleed, allow 1/8” beyond all trim.

2 Page Spread Full Page

1/2Vertical

1/2Horizontal

1/3Bookend Spread



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RATES PER ISSUE

*Agencies may apply a 15% discount

*Detailed specs can be found here https://1drv.ms/f/s!AqiIhf0UQ9JxqQ9-8xp2ZFENkBnm


Contact your Publisher’s Representative to reserve ad placement today!Lisa Neely 818-660-5828 [email protected]

INSERTS, COVERS AND SPECIAL ADVERTISING OPTIONS



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FURNISHED INSERTSInserts deliver a highly targeted audience at a fraction of the cost of direct mail. An insert captures the attention of readers and affords you the added flexibility of producing a piece on unique paper stock and of a custom size – from postcard to poster. Fur-nished inserts may be bound in (saddle-stitched or perfect-bound depending on the issue) or tipped (glued) into the magazine. See the chart for pricing and insert specifications.

MAIL RIDE ALONGCapture the attention of our readers before they even open the cover by including your unique marketing piece on the outside of the magazine within a clear plastic wrap or polybag. The options are many – from CDs to posters, catalogs to mouse pads. You choose the card stock and the number of pages. The outsert gives you the freedom to include a creative marketing piece that might not otherwise fit in the magazine.

BELLYBANDA bellyband is a paper outsert with your message on it that is wrapped around the magazine. Readers will see your piece as it will have to be removed before they can read their issue. The bellyband can contain your message on both sides of the piece. See the chart for pricing and specifications.

SPECIAL COVERSMaximize the impact of your message with a three-page gatefold cover or a split front-cover spread (sometimes called a barn door cover).The three-page gatefold is a two-page spread advertisement that opens up from the inside front cover (it can also be purchased for the back cover). It includes the inside front cover, thus allowing three full pages of advertising.The split front cover (barn door) is a two-page spread advertisement that opens directly from the front cover. See the chart for pricing and cover specifications.

PRODUCT PRICING DIMENSIONS MINIMUM PAPER STOCK PRICEINSERTS – INCLUDES PRINTING, BINDING AND MAILING CHARGES Postcard - Saddle-stitched 6” x 8” 80# $6900Postcard - Perfect-bound 6” x 8” 80# $6900Postcard - Tipped on (glued) 6” x 8” 80# $7450MAIL RIDE ALONGS – INCLUDES PRINTING, POLYBAGGING AND MAILINGTwo-Page 7.5” x 10.875” 80# $10,560Four-Page 7.5” x 10.875” 80# $13,100Eight-Page 7.5” x 10.875” 80# $16,300 BELLYBANDS

18” x 5” 80# $9,995FRONT COVER DOT AD – A CALL OUT ON THE FRONT COVER TO SEE AD WITHIN THE BOOK

Circle diameter: 2.5” 50# (included) $6,250SPECIALTY COVERSThree-Page Gatefold 7.75” x 10.875” and 15.375” x 10.875” 100# Cover Stock $11,900Split Front Cover (Barn Door) 16.75” x 11.125” 100# Cover Stock $18,500

BELLYBAND

GATEFOLD

BARN DOOR

INSERT PRICING AND AVAILABILITYThe pricing chart should only be used as a guide since inserts and outserts can vary greatly in size and weight. All prices include bindery make-ready, in-line running costs and extra postage costs. Special advertising options are limited and will be sold on a first-come basis.Contact me for specific rates, ma-terial due dates and specifications [email protected]




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Every issue of California Educator brings you In-depth coverage of important and topical issues related to teaching and education in California, from K-12 to college..

Profiles of individual educators and their passions and innovations inside and out-side of school/college.

· Tech tips, from hardware and software to apps and social media.

· Consumer and lifestyle tips and trends, including health and well-ness

· Personal finance, vacation planning, food and shopping.

· Continuing Education and Training

· Calendars with timely news and notes for the month.

CONTACTS:Advertising Info: Lisa Neely [email protected] Editorial : Katharine Fong [email protected]

*Publisher may change the content or dates as needed.

A 4 0 3 ( B ) P L A N is a voluntary defined contribution retirement plan for employees of public schools. It’s similar to a 401(k) plan in the

private sector, and lets you supplement your CalSTRS or CalPERS defined benefit plan, or pension.

At the beginning of the school year, 403(b) representatives and vendors market heavily to educators. But don’t feel pressured to make a quick decision, especially since some products carry high fees and surrender charges. Instead, visit CTAinvest.org for tools to get informed, estimate your retirement benefit, compare products and more.

HEADS-UP ON RETIREMENT

YOUR WHOLE LIFETips and trends for a smarter, healthier you

Most educators know good posture and proper foot-wear can ease foot pain and strain. But you still

need to move around — even while standing — to ward off circulation issues, joint damage and other

chronic diseases. How to feel good all day long:

1. SUPPORT YOUR FEET. Shoes that wear like sneakers with added support and cushioning are your best bet. Brands to try: Aetrex, Born, Dansko, Earthies, Jambu, Merrell, Naot, New Balance and Sofft.

2. STAND UP STRAIGHT. The right footwear keeps most of the weight of the body in your heels, so your joints stack directly on top of one another and your bones support body weight instead of soft tissue.

3. THROW YOUR WEIGHT AROUND.Sit down, stretch, move — don’t stand or sit in the same position for hours at a time.

4. USE PROPS. A foam roller, ten-nis ball and even a bakery roll-ing pin can help ease pressure spots and “roll out” muscles in between classes.

5. TAKE RECESS. Run on the blacktop, walk the long way to the restroom, get outside for five minutes, or take time to breathe deeply from your diaphragm.

Keep barking dogs at bayFeet hurt?

For more, see neamb.com

TOP OF THE FOOT: Standing, shift the weight to one

foot and extend the hip of the stretching leg behind the body, placing the top of the foot and

toes on to the floor.

CALF: Use a rolled-up towel, the low side of

a yoga block, or any prop of similar height. Step the ball of the foot onto the prop,

leaving the heel on the floor. (The stretch-ing leg should be straight, not locked.)

These stretches relieve postural pain in a snap:

STRETCH IT

Care for your petY O U T H I N K O F F I D O and Fluffy as part of the family, and want their lives to be long, happy and healthy. Pet health insurance helps make this possible by reimbursing you on veterinary costs to diagnose and treat your pets for cov-ered illnesses and accidents — which can sometimes be so expensive that covering costs out of pocket is difficult. There are also wellness plans that help pay for routine care like checkups, vaccines and dental cleanings. Do your research before buying, and be sure to look into NEA’s Pet Insurance Program at neamb.com.

E D U C A T O R S M A Y E X P E R I E N C E stress for any number of reasons, both on and off the job. It’s

important to recognize how you react to stress and learn how to manage it. Chronic stress can con-

tribute to or cause many serious health problems, including hypertension, stroke, ulcers and more.

Signs of stress include headaches, muscle tension, neck or back pain; upset stomach; chest pains; difficulty sleep-ing; fatigue; loss of appetite or overeating; anxiety; and irritability. Some tips to manage stress:

• Be physically active — even 30 minutes a day of gentle walking

• Eat healthy • Take breaks • Avoid overusing alcohol

or other drugs• Practice relaxation exer-

cises, deep breathing or meditation

• Take time for yourself • Talk to family and friends

for emotional support• Work with your local

association and col-leagues to change work conditions that cause stress. For strategies, see neahealthyfutures.org

S T R E S SL E S S

16 17 cta.org VOLUME 20 ISSUE 2

Know & TellKnow & Tell

DOCTORALOrganizational Leadership (Ed.D.) (La Verne Campus) CREDENTIALS AND CERTIFICATES § Multiple and Single Subject § Administrative Services § CTEL § PPS: Education Counseling § PPS: School Counseling § Mild/Moderate: Education Specialist § Reading and Language Arts § Child Life Specialist § New Learning Technology

BACHELORS § Educational Studies

(formerly Liberal Studies) § Child Development

MASTERS § Educational Leadership § School Counseling § School Psychology § Special Education § Reading § Special Emphasis § Child Life § Child Development

(also online)

College of Education & Organizational Leadership 1950 Third StreetLa Verne, CA 91750

“La Verne provided the tools to make me an

effective educator.”

WASC accredited, CCTC and CAEP approved. Programs offered at campuses throughout California.

s

Call: 877-GO-TO-ULV Email: [email protected]: laverne.edu

Natasha Burrell7th Grade Honors Math Teacher

Teachers at George McParland School in Manteca meet in the morning for coffee and professional

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH PANACHE IN 90210 When Apple TV and wireless, interactive short-throw projectors arrived in some Beverly Hills High classrooms, not everyone understood how the fancy equipment could improve teaching and learning.

So Steven Rubenstein, an AP literature teacher who also serves as the district’s only “tech TOSA” (teacher on special assignment), organized an “Appy Hour” on early dismissal days when educators could observe peer demonstrations in one another’s classrooms and learn new strategies.

“We had drinks and food, and mingled,” recalls Rubenstein, Beverly Hills Education Association. “Some teachers are terrified of technology and worry, ‘What if something goes wrong?’ The fear of chaos in the class-room and wasted instructional time is pretty powerful, so the idea was to provide a setting that was relaxing

and educational where they could pick up new ideas for their classrooms.”

Julie Goler, who teaches across the hallway, loved it. “It was like having a Genius Bar at our own school,”

she raves, comparing it to the assistance offered in Apple Stores. “I used to think of myself as not being very techy, but I don’t anymore. This helped me step up my game and challenge myself.” Her students now use Google Docs for writing and editing. She uses Facebook to improve student engagement and communica-tion, and her online tests in Juno provide instant feedback. To stay organized and record student grades, she uses Jupiter.

Staff share ideas schoolwide on Google Dashboard. In recent posts, a math teacher describes how Quizlet helps students with practice tests, games and exercises; a ceramics teacher uses Instagram for pottery previews; and a math teacher asks students to take photos, input them into a graphic calculator app, and create quadratic functions to match the photo outline.

In Manteca, technological professional development is served “à la carte” to teachers first thing in the morning with a cup of coffee and pastries.

In Beverly Hills High School, teachers schmooze during “Appy Hour” to share refreshments and the latest tech tips.

By Sherry Posnick-GoodwinPhotography by Scott Buschman

Or are teachers left to their own devices?

And in other districts, teachers remain hungry for tech training. For example, San Marcos Unified School District invested in new electronic devices, but some staffers aren’t quite sure how to incorporate them into their classrooms.

As education evolves, some school sites offer profes-sional development that’s teacher-driven, innovative and enjoyable. In others, it may be one-size-fits-all, inadequate or nonexistent.

The issue has taken on a new urgency, especially for those teaching core subjects, now that computers

are used for standardized tests and tied to Common Core implementation.

Half of pre-K–12 teachers nationwide in a 2013 PBS LearningMedia survey said they are “comfortable” exper-imenting with new technology, while 38 percent agreed with the statement: “I like new technology, but wish I had more direction on how to use it.”

Here are ways some educators are being helped to implement technology into teaching, while others are hindered and sometimes left to their own devices.

Beverly Hills High School’s Steven

Rubenstein organized an

“Appy Hour” for colleagues to learn

new tech tools and strategies.

Ken Johnson cheers with students Angelina Anaya and Alexandra Carmona at George McParland School as the district sets a world record in online learning platform Kahoot.

TECH SUPPORT


Feature

Green Schools Gathering

California has long recog-nized that schools are often

the first place students encounter systematic efforts

to conserve energy and water and reduce waste, and where they become environ-mentally literate and under-

stand how human needs and activities fit into the greater

ecosystems.The Green California

Schools and Community Colleges Summit, Oct.

29-30 at Pasadena Conven-tion Center, will explore

new ways to create healthy, green learning environments. This year’s theme is “Achiev-

ing the Benefits of High Performance Schools,” high-lighting economic, education-

al and community benefits that districts have gained

by making a commitment to sustainability. In addition to dozens of educational ses-

sions, the annual Leadership Awards recognize outstand-

ing projects at California campuses. Keynotes and ex-hibit hall are free; to register, go to green-technology.org

or call 626-577-5700.

2015–2016

SEPTEMBER 29A P P L I C AT I O N D E A D L I N E ESP Leadership Academy This training is for 20 education support professional members interested in chapter leadership roles. Accepted participants will be reimbursed for travel, lodging, meals and fees. Session 1 will be Nov. 6-8. Session 2 will be Feb. 26-28, 2016. Both sessions will be in Burlingame. Find out more: Email [email protected] or call 415-479-6616

OCTOBER 9–11 C O N F E R E N C E Region II Leadership Conference Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, Nevada Do you have what it takes to be an association leader? Learn the ropes or increase your skill set. Find out more: cta.org/conferences

OCTOBER 15A P P L I C AT I O N D E A D L I N E NEA Foundation GrantsThe NEA Foundation awards grants to educators: Student Achievement Grants support improving academic achievement; Learning and Leadership Grants support high-quality professional development activities. Applications are reviewed three times a year. Find out more: neafoundation.org

OCTOBER 16–18 C O N F E R E N C ECCA Fall Conference DoubleTree by Hilton, San Jose The Community College Association’s fall conference focuses on members’ accomplishments and membership engagement. Find out more: cca4me.org

NOVEMBER 1 O P T- O U T D E A D L I N EVoluntary dues contribution Voluntary annual contributions by members support CTA Foundation’s grants/scholarships and CTA’s advocacy efforts. New members are automatically enrolled in the default contribution of $10 for the CTA Foundation and $10 for advocacy. Members may change their allocation or opt out. New members have 30 days from the date of enrollment; previously enrolled members have a window from Aug. 1 to Nov. 1. Find out more: cta.org/contribution

NOVEMBER 13–15 C O N F E R E N C EGLBT Conference Fairmont Hotel, San Jose CTA’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Conference is open to all CTA members and addresses issues affecting the entire membership, students and the community. Apply for minority and small-chapter incentive grants by Sept. 29. Find out more: cta.org/conferences

Make Schools Safe for GLBT Persons

Need help creating a special presentation or project that promotes

understanding and respect for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender

persons? CTA’s GLBT Guy DeRosa Safety in Schools Grant and

Scholarship Program provides grants up to $2,500 for these efforts, as well as scholarships for members

enrolled in a teacher/counseling credential or graduate program who understand the importance of GLBT

educators as role models. The program promotes human and

civil rights by making our public schools safe for GLBT persons. It’s named in memory of CTA member

and educator Guy DeRosa, a lifelong GLBT activist. Application deadline is Nov. 20. Find out more:

cta.org/scholarships

Started in 1995, the California Teachers Study (CTS) is a longitudi-nal health study of 133,479 female current and former public school teachers and school administrators. Its top priority has been to find the causes of breast cancer, but it is also used to understand women’s health issues more broadly, including risk factors of other cancers, asthma, cardiovascular disease, stroke and overall longevity. CTS researchers are currently collecting blood and saliva samples from 22,000 healthy CTS participants to use in the search for biomarkers of future cancer. Those who want to contribute samples can contact the Cancer Prevention Institute of California at cpic.org.

California Teachers Study Update

Believe in Your IdeasWhat Do You Do With an Idea? is a 2015-16 California Reads recom-mendation for first- and second-graders, but it works its magic on all ages. Written by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Mae Besom, it tells the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps bring it into the world. As the child’s confidence grows, so does the idea, until one day something amazing happens. This beautifully illustrated story will inspire students to welcome their ideas, give them space to grow and see what happens next. For more recommended books, see cta.org/californiareads.

NOVEMBER 16–20 E V E N TAmerican Education Week “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility.” American Education Week is celebrated the week prior to Thanksgiving week and includes special observances to honor parents, education support professionals and substitute teachers. Find out more: nea.org/aew

9 VOLUME 20 ISSUE 28 cta.org

Apple’s iPads are a boon for artists, thanks to their high-definition screens and responsive displays. The highly anticipated iPad Pro, with its 12.9-inch screen, and the companion stylus Apple Pencil are due out in November and expected to make a splash.

Meanwhile, it’s clear that sophisticated drawing apps and a variety of styluses have now replaced those ancient tools — pencil and paper. Here are some of the best of the bunch:

By Terry Ng

Top Drawer

Got a favorite that’s not here? Tell us @CATeachersAssoc #drawingapps

Sensu Artist Brush & Stylus $39.99 STYLUS Delivers an authentic painting experience using patent-pending technology to simulate an artist’s brush on your iPad.

Pencil by FiftyThree $49.95 STYLUS

Advanced technology meets beautiful design to keep you in the flow, without needing to switch tools. Features surface pressure, erase, blend (with fingers!), and adaptive palm rejection (so you can rest your hand on the screen without disturbing the image).

Adonit Jot Pro Fine Point $18.99 STYLUS The most precise basic stylus around for writing and drawing on touchscreens. Its Precision Disc writes exactly where you place it with ballpoint accuracy and a smooth feel.

Procreate

$5.99 DRAWING APP This app is the most

powerful and intuitive digital illustration app available for

iPad, packed with 120 incredible

brushes, advanced layer blending, 64-bit

performance, and a uniquely powerful

brush engine.

Artstudio $4.99 DRAWING APP

Artstudio is a comprehensive sketching, painting and photo-editing tool that uses advanced drawing algorithms and features a beautiful new user interface and powerful new graphics engine to make creating works of art faster, easier and more fun.

Tayasui SketchesFREE DRAWING APP

A perfect mix of beauty, simplicity and power that you won’t find anywhere

else. It’s the ideal canvas, perfect for getting down

ideas, illustrations, painting — anything your creative

mind can imagine.


Know & TellKnow & Tell


TELL A STRANGER YOU TEACH math, English, social studies or PE at a public school and you’re likely to receive a nod and a few polite questions.

But some classes will get a bit more of a reaction. In fact, the typical re-sponse to unusual class subjects might be “You teach what?”

We searched high and low for some uncommon course offerings through-out California, the state where residents are proud to be different. We found, among others, a course relating to a high school fish hatchery, and scuba diving classes. Here are a few more.

Some class subjects go beyond the normWHAT?

YOU TEACH

TEACHING EITHER SURFING or ceramics might be accompanied by the title of dude. But Brian Schultz is anything but laid-back when it comes to enthusiasm for teaching. He’s been coaching the boys’ and girls’ surf teams for the past 13 years at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo and teaching fine arts there for 17 years.

Since the Capistrano Valley surf team joined the Capistrano Coast League 14 years ago, the girls have won eight league championships. The boys have won four over the past 13 years. The school has qualified for the Scholastic Surf Series

State Finals for the past 12 years and has won the boys’ long board division

four times and the girls’ short board competition twice.“The overall championship has eluded us for the past 10

years. We have been runner-up six times, but this might be our year,” says Schultz optimistically.

Teaching surfing is a big responsibility, covering one to two miles of beach with 30 to 35 kids in the water, says the Capistrano Unified Education Association member. There’s

also fundraising to support the sport. A native of Orange County, Schultz says surfing has always

been a part of his life. He never went pro, but jumped at the opportunity to replace a retiring surfing coach while continuing to teach ceramics.

He finds both jobs joyful and creative.“I was told once to find a job you love to do and you’ll

never work a day in your life. And that’s the way I feel about teaching students to surf and create artwork. I absolutely love what I do.”

BRINGING FIREARMS ON CAMPUS is outlawed in most schools, but it’s no cause for alarm at Lassen Community College. In fact, the school’s gunsmithing class in rural Susanville is a bit like “Duck Dynasty.” There are guns everywhere, being worked on by men with beards, caps and suspenders.

Established in 1945, the Lassen program is the oldest gunsmithing school in the U.S. It offers associate in science degrees in firearms repair and general gunsmithing, as well as certificates of accomplishment in pistolsmith, riflesmith, long guns, and gunsmith machinist and metal finishing. The school has a two-year program and also offers one- to two-week short summer courses in basic machine shop, barreling, law enforcement armory and more.

The instructors are Lassen College Faculty Association members John Martin and Buck Bauer (his real name). Some students in the class reverently refer to the duo as “gun gods.” Students, mostly men, range from new high school graduates to veterans, retirees looking for a second career, and hobbyists. Police officers from across the country sign up for short courses.

There is a waiting list of 200 to enter the two-year program, which accepts 22 new students a year and is extremely rigorous. All students have to supply their own firearms — which can include antiques. They are not supposed to bring ammunition to class. To test the weapons, blanks are fired into a special cylinder.

Andrew Mason enrolled in the program because he enjoyed repairing

pistols, machine guns and sniper rifles when he served in the U.S. Marines.

“I loved it and wanted to make a career out of it, so here I am,” he says.

Bauer grew up in a hunting family and entered shooting competitions at a young age. He graduated from the gunsmithing program in 2006. Last year he became a full- time instructor.

“It’s a great program,” he says. “It takes a lot of patience and a lot of practice. Most of the class is hands-on. We look at how well the gun works, whether it looks good, and whether it’s up to industry standards. We’re the best program in the country, and we want to keep it that way.”

Instructor Buck Bauer, left,

with Samuel Kemp in the

machine shop.

Far left: Brian Schultz shows his form; left: the surf teams at Capistrano Valley High School; right: Schultz.

SURFING / CERAMICS

GUNSMITHING

OFF THE BEATEN PATHWe want to know: Do you or someone you know teach a unique or unusual class? Tell us about it at [email protected].#unusualclasses

Surfing photos courtesy Brian Schultz


F E A T U R E

RESIDENCY PROGRAM

HELPS NEW EDUCATORS FEEL RIGHT

AT HOME


SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED SCHOOL DIS-TRICT (SFUSD) found solutions to these questionsby partnering with two Bay Area universities and the local teachers union to create a “residency” program that goes beyond typical preservice preparation.

In San Francisco, a unique partnership among the district, Stanford University, University of San Francisco (USF), and United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) created the San Francisco Teacher Residency (SFTR) program. It’s similar to a medical residency, where res-idents serve under an assisting physician and gain the training required to practice medicine, but teacher res-idents work under the supervision of a veteran teacher while training to become teachers of record in SFUSD.

The program has “graduated” 100 new teachers in the past five years. Of these, 96 percent are still teaching. That’s quite an accomplishment considering that nation-wide, 20 percent of all new teachers leave the classroom within three years, and in urban districts like San Fran-cisco, close to 50 percent of newcomers flee the profession during their first five years of teaching. Last year, 75 per-cent of the program’s residents were teachers of color, and 97 percent of program graduates were teaching in hard-to-staff schools or subject areas.

Ashli Duncan is a proud participant of the program. An African American, she reflects the student population at El Dorado Elementary School, where she was a resident last year in the classroom of mentor teacher Anna Pepito. Duncan has no doubt that she’s learned more than the first-graders she helped teach last year.

“It’s been an amazing experience,” says Duncan. “To stay with a class for an entire year and be part of their everyday learning was so valuable. I loved that

Teachers in training

Teacher Anna Pepito, above left, and resident Ashli Duncan at El Dorado Elementary in San Francisco last year.

How can low-income, high-poverty schools lure new educators during

a teaching shortage?

Once hired, how can they be retained?

How can schools attract diverse teachers who reflect the community where they teach?

What are the best ways to support new teachers and help them thrive?


Feature

2017 Publication Dates and Deadlines

Issue Ad space Materials Jan-Feb 2017

*Annual Inovation Issue

12/19/2016 1/06/2017

March 2017 2/6/2017 2/15/2017

April 2017 3/6/2017 3/16/2017

May-Jun 2017 *Last issue of the school year

4/10/2017 4/18/2017

6/8/2017 6/15/2017

8/14/2017 8/24/2017

9/8/2017 9/15/2017

Jul-Aug 2017*Back to School Issue

Sept 2017

Oct 2017

Nov -Dec 2017*Holiday issue

10/11/2017 10/23/2017






Documents

MEDIA INFORMATION RATES & DEADLINES...PLUS Day of the Teacher Poster inside back cover TION BEGINS om: CALIFORNIA 5 Y OF THE TEACHER AN HASTEN 2015 Day of the Teacher poster layout