Rebecca Mieliwocki, the 2012 National Teacher of the Year and California State University, Northridge alumna, will lead hundreds of fellow educators in an exploration of the best classroom practices during an unprecedented convergence on Friday, July 31. Teachers will gather at 33 locations across the state, including CSUN, for a free summit led by teachers for teachers.

“Better Together: California Teachers Summit” is a one-of-kind event designed to help teachers build a network of peers, share best practices and access effective resources to implement California’s educational standards. The statewide gathering is scheduled to take from 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. The CSUN meeting will take place at the Valley Performing Arts Center, located at the southern end of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

From left, Rebecca Mieliwocki and Michael Spagna. Photo by Lee Choo

“We all agree teachers deserve more opportunities to connect with other teachers, share what’s working in classrooms and learn cutting-edge strategies that help them maximize their skills,” said Michael Spagna, dean of CSUN’s Michael D. Eisner College of Education. “That is why organizations from across the state, including the California State University system, have joined together to present this unprecedented day of learning.”

The program will include presentations from nationally renowned speakers and discussions led by teachers about new innovative practices.

“Teachers will walk away with access to resources and concrete tools they can immediately use in their classrooms,” Spagna said.

The event will include two keynote addresses that will be streamed live at the Valley Performing Arts Center. Mieliwocki will be one of three presenters to give Ed Talks at the CSUN location.

Mieliwocki, who earned a credential in secondary education from CSUN in 2001, teaches seventh grade English at Luther Burbank Middle School in Burbank. She was the 2005 California League of Middle Schools Educator of the Year for Southern California. In 2012, she was recognized by President Barack Obama as the 62^nd National Teacher of the Year in a ceremony at the White House.

In additional to Mieliwocki, Tina Repetti-Renzullo and Aba Ngissah will give Ed Talks. Repetti-Renzullo is a 28-year veteran educator of K-12 grades, and currently a kindergarten teacher in the Pasadena Unified School District. She was named Los Angeles County Teacher of the year in 2010. Ngissah is a sixth grade teacher in the Inglewood Unified School District.

“Better Together: California Teachers Summit” is hosted by New Teacher Center, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities and the California State University system. For more information or to register, visit the website http://www.cateacherssummit.com.