Equity and Access from CISP

 

Testimonials - samples of feedback from participants  

"During the last decade, my involvement with CISP staff development activities has been the best preparation for my role as an educator of the diverse student populations in California.

 It has taught me to use research-based pedagogy to engage learners who are normally cut off from higher-level curriculum.  My whole philosophy of education has been forever influenced to include group strategies that involve heterogeneous mixtures of students and correct for status inequality issues. The use of specified roles and norms of group behavior have allowed me to see groups of freshmen (which other teachers say cannot work in groups) to communicate abstract historical concepts to their peers.  I have learned how to engage English Language Learners, Special Education students and mainstream learners in difficult academic tasks where they learn to cooperate and build on each other’s strengths. 

It has helped me to integrate the state mandated curriculum into my classes.  CISP has been ahead of the curve on implementing state standards.  As teachers in my district have struggled with modifying their curriculum to fit the CA/HSS standards, I have always been able to show them examples of lessons that CISP has created, tested and implemented in participating high schools across the state.  I have always felt secure that all of my students are receiving the mandated curriculum when I am incorporating CISP activities.

There is no question in my mind that CISP has been the best staff development program I have ever been involved in."

Craig Wilson, Mira Loma High School

"This program not only has helped my school retain and challenge at-risk students, and brought in highly qualified teacher candidates, it has also brought my own on-going process of learning to become a proficient teacher to new levels. It has helped me understand the rigor I can bring to my classroom and to my student’s learning. It has trained me in effective strategies for cooperative education. It has provided me with an on-going set of collegial relationships that has both stimulated and enriched my personal and professional life."

Barry Sovel, Casa Grande High School

Note: the above notes are from Veteran Teachers who participated in the program over several years.  The notes below are from new teachers who participated in a single institute or workshop series.

"I would highly recommend the CISP program to any social studies teacher, especially new teachers.  The attention to organizing group work and classroom management have helped me tremendously in my student teaching.  Also, the skill building activities the program taught me have been a huge success with my students. --Megan Brown"

"The Equity and Access Workshop put on by California International Studies Project motivates me to want to continue to grow and learn as a teacher. I want my students to walk away from my class like I leave the institute: eager and ready to take on the next challenge. I don’t know what I would have done without these workshops especially in the summer. I felt more prepared starting this whole year because of this workshop."
        "I always feel better and more excited about my teaching after every session.  I AM SO GRATEFUL!  This is what a student teaching program should be like!  Thank you…" -- Kevin Irwin DiLoreto

"I have had the opportunity and pleasure of being able to take part in the Equity and Access workshops.  These workshops have been invaluable to me as a novice teacher.  These workshops have equipped me to become a more equitable teacher. They have taught me the proper skills to instill justice and access in my classroom. I am very grateful.  Thanks, Tessa Hernandez"

"The Equity & Access workshops taught me ways to recast educational structure and practice, to adapt to changed circumstances, and to remove barriers to equal and adequate opportunity within the classroom. The workshops allowed me to learn new ways to promote better planning and assessments of my lessons, materials/resources, and methods for communicating with my students, their families, and their communities. But most importantly, as a new teacher, the workshops helped me realize that student merit should be measured by the distance traveled as well as the point reached." -- Paul Kemp

"I loved Caroline’s [a presenter’s] activity, a great way to demonstrate how to help without rescuing.  As always, you all did a wonderful job.  Whenever I come to these workshops I’m reminded of why I wanted to become a teacher in the first place.  -- Erika Duran

"I valued. . . that I had time to talk about my lesson plan and get questions answered as well as extra comments on great ideas to use.”  -- Laura Valencia

"Even though it’s been a long week before coming here, the last 2 days were engaging and very productive.  It was very easy to pay attention :o)" – Lindsey Palmer

"I learned that kids as young as Kindergarten can be given responsibility and I learned how to modify critical thinking questions for younger kids." –-Katherine Garland