CCEA Plus 2025 Surf's Up! Riding the Waves of Opportunity

Valley high school has been implementing learning studios at our site for the past two years. These learning studios are where teachers meet in their cohorts for the day to discuss curriculum implementation, identify a problem of practice, implement a change idea/instructional move and review data and adjust the lesson accordingly with peer feedback. It is also an opportunity for the content areas to meet and collaborate on curriculum ideas and changes. Studios facilitate a shared space for teachers to focus on student collaboration and discourse in the classroom. Valley High schools instructional team would like to present on how your can incorporate this innovative and informative practice at your school!

In today’s evolving educational landscape, many students, particularly those with special needs and those attending alternative schools, face unique challenges that often lead them to disengage from learning. As a veteran educator with over 20 years of experience and a passion for motivating students who have given up on learning, Dr. Jordan B. Smith Jr. has developed effective strategies that integrate the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to re-engage and inspire these students. This presentation is based on Dr. Smith's extensive research, his best-selling book 11 Effective Strategies for Teaching Math to Students Who Have Given Up on Learning, and his ongoing work with AI-driven tools to improve learning outcomes. Dr. Smith’s session will offer attendees insights into how AI can be used as a tool to connect with students who feel marginalized or discouraged by traditional teaching methods. AI allows teachers to differentiate instruction, personalize learning paths, and provide immediate feedback that empowers students to see the progress they may have missed in conventional classroom settings. The presentation will walk through specific AI applications that educators can easily integrate into their daily practice, helping students with learning disabilities, ADHD, or those who struggle with self-esteem and motivation. One of the key aspects of this presentation is the Four Directional Pathways model, which Dr. Smith developed as part of his Motivated Classroom Workshop. This model provides a framework for understanding how to approach teaching from multiple angles, whether through curriculum design, cultural relevance, or emotional connection. Attendees will learn how to leverage AI to reinforce each of these pathways, making lessons more engaging and accessible for students who have historically felt left behind. Another focus of the presentation will be AI’s role in creating culturally relevant performance tasks that resonate with students

Learn about how Westbury High School took the "Lemon" of overcrowding and made "Lemonade" by creating a 9th grade experience. See the journey of creating an offsite school building, creating a PLC centered master schedule, motivating a team of teachers, and how the experience positively impacted a cohort of scholars resulting in the highest graduation rates Westbury High School has experienced. This session is beneficial to those who are implementing PLCs, creating innovative master schedules, planning meaningful professional learning opportunities, and building a student-centered team. Teachers, Administrators, School Counselors, and District Leaders are the target audience, while all are welcomed!

The Gil Lab/Hope Lab is a credit recovery program designed to meet the needs of our most vulnerable students in Anaheim. These students are either 5th year seniors, former drop outs, or often transitioning back from the juvenile justice system. This program was developed to re-engage these students and ask them to give education a  second (or third) chance. We use hands-on projects, field trips every other week, and incorporate art, food, and humor in order to reach every kid and to make them feel like they have a home. This group stays with one teacher all day, and the class of 20 truly becomes a family. We connect them with resources such as the Department of Rehab, Rising Scholars(college program for formerly incarcerated students), and mental health supports as well as help them secure jobs and make sure they are on the right path once they reach that diploma.  This program has been truly life changing, and we can't wait for you to hear the stories of some of our current scholars (who will be in session).

1)  Casting a vision and building team consensus for your school’s literacy plan. 2)  Practical skill building strategies and tools (researched based, simple and effective graphic organizers, and best practices). 3)      Results/data/rewards for growth. 4)  All materials will be provided. 5)  Opportunity drawing for attendees.

Calaveras Hill High is in year two of implementing Project Based Learning as a whole school initiative in the hopes of increasing student attendance, buy-in, and graduation, as well as increasing rigor and combating the reputation as "the bad kids school". Our district has long supported PBL, which brought us wide support from the District Office and Board in our efforts and seeking training. All teachers have been trained through PBL Works PBL 101 course and are expected to teach at least one PBL designed project per quarter. Our presentation will highlight our reasoning, strategy, struggles, successes, best practices, wishes, and overall advice to others who wish to implement similarly.

Join Valley HIgh School teacher Sharon Clark and members of her team as they discuss the history of AVID at Valley High School. They will share an overview of what AVID is and how it has evolved over the years along with AVID strategies, best practices and the impact it can have on our students' lives. In addition, They will talk about how AVID is making a difference for their students and how they are working together as a staff to transform their school by implementing AVID strategies schoolwide. You will leave with new strategies, ideas and  lessons you can use on Monday.