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

A meta-study released the day last year's CCEA conference began reported that nearly 20% of California's K-12 students had significant experiences of childhood trauma (ACEs score of 4+). In continuing education, it is believed that this number may be even higher. During this session, you will learn from a teacher, administrator, and researcher how to design your classroom environment to support the emotional and developmental needs of your students while increasing the chance of active engagement and their desire to learn. We will discuss how to create a positive "home-court advantage" in your classroom or school, and how you can spark resilience in students who have been hurt. As a bonus, you will probably learn how to feel even better about your own work with students and improve your satisfaction and love of teaching! Get here early. This presenter's sessions were full last year.

Many students arrive in our classrooms with wounds and challenges we cannot easily see. For those of us in Alternative Education, the number of students with severe trauma exposure is over 20%.  And these students are often the hardest to reach and accommodate because most of our programs and initiatives cannot overcome the painful echoes they feel in their bodies and minds. This session will show you five powerful steps to promote resilience in all of your students whether they carry the deep scars of trauma, or are merely unmotivated in school. As educators, we may not be able to change what our students carry inside them every day, but we can definitely build safe spaces that prioritize learning when we master some simple habits. Come and join us to see how you can unleash the superpower of resilience that is already inside your students waiting to be activated!

On-site social workers play a crucial role in providing regular check-in support, connecting students with community partners, fostering collaboration among staff, and implementing interventions to improve attendance. This collaborative approach enhances students' social-emotional well-being while promoting academic success.

Pershing students in partnership with the Fresno Elk's club have been doing two projects with students yearly.   One called The Mount Olympus Challenge and one called The Veteran's Video Project.  This year with the Seal of Civic Engagement out, the projects help the students involved to qualify for this honor.  They also are projects that have really made a difference for our students. We would love to present our projects to other schools.

This dynamic learning strand explores the unique challenges faced by fatherless boys in continuation schools and equips educators with strategies to foster their success. Participants will delve into effective mentoring models that inspire and guide at-promise males, practical life skills development tailored to their needs, and innovative approaches to building strong community partnerships. By addressing the root causes of the fatherless male epidemic, attendees will discover actionable solutions to empower these young men and transform their futures. Learn how the power of mentoring can serve as a cornerstone in creating a supportive system that nurtures resilience, purpose, and achievement.

In this engaging and insightful presentation, we will explore the new elements of an effective Self-Study and tips for a successful Mid-cycle Report, focusing on strategies that create a positive experience with the process, enhancing student success, and fostering collaboration among educators, students, and the community. This session will provide actionable insights to inspire meaningful outcomes on your Self-Study. Whether you’re a teacher or administrator, you’ll leave with practical ideas to help shape a better future for your school.

"WASCING with Purpose" is a comprehensive guide for educators on how to approach WASC accreditation visits with intentionality and focus. This session will cover strategic methods to prepare for WASC evaluations, highlighting the importance of aligning school culture, strengths, and improvement areas with the criteria of the visiting committee. Educators will learn how to craft a personalized experience that authentically represents their school through data-driven storytelling, engaging campus tours, and meaningful stakeholder involvement. Participants will leave with practical tips to showcase their school's unique journey and commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring a purposeful and impactful WASC visit.