California Teachers Association’s Good Teaching Conferences are among its most popular on the calendar, and with a sell-out crowd in Garden Grove this year, the 2023 offering exceeded that high mark. School districts throughout the state have experienced the value of the conference and are helping underwrite the cost of the weekend training they know is a cost-effective means for their teachers to receive outstanding professional development. 

The experience at Good Teaching Conference (GTC) is equal parts educational and transformational. Educators learn new skills and find solutions to real-life challenges. By using data and listening to members, conference planners ensure that teachers get what they need and want to know to be successful in the classroom. Sessions focus on classroom management, navigating IEPs, special education, behavior management, technology, working with colleagues, how to be an effective teacher, and even using augmented and virtual reality in the classroom.

Maribel Hernandez, Perris Elementary Teachers Association member and 6th grade teacher at Good Hope Elementary School, enthused “GTC is a great opportunity to grow as a professional. We meet and network with educators outside our district, gain new skills, and learn grade-level tips and tricks are a guarantee!”    

Over the weekend, GTC offered 76 training sessions to support excellent teaching and learning practices for classroom teachers via peer-to-peer instruction. Through a variety of diverse workshops focused on curriculum content areas for K-12 teachers, the conference provided opportunities for professional development and offers time to network and share ideas with colleagues and experts in the field of education.  

At Saturday’s lunch gathering, CTA President E. Toby Boyd reminded the crowd of 1,350 educators and support professionals that, while the trainings are exceptional, it is our members that carry the information forward that makes the gathering important.

“We know it’s the pride, energy, and joy of our members applying this information in the classroom that makes this conference transformational.”  

–CTA President E. Toby Boyd

Educators left the conference feeling inspired and motivated, and with knowledge and techniques that they can implement in their classrooms on Monday morning. For NEA-Jurupa President Wendy Eccles, GTC was a success for educators across the southland.

“GTC is solution-oriented approach to professional development. Offering training on what educators care about helps to build positive relationships with all students and strengthens the teaching profession.”   

–Wendy Eccles, NEA-Jurupa President