Coast Alive! Teacher Institute

After six days visiting five different East Bay Regional and California State Parks, our 2008 Coast Alive! Teacher Institute met with great success, sending 20 inspired teachers into the new school year armed with detailed knowledge and great ideas to enhance their students' learning experiences. Here's what they say:

"This institute provided an excellent knowledge base, tremendous organization and sequencing, great curricular materials and ideas, and fantastic support and interpersonal skills. I appreciated the support among local agencies, teachers, and resources with a common vision: turning kids on to understanding and interacting with the natural world." - Teacher Participant

"I am committed to using as many of the lessons and activities as I can. As a new Science/Math/Literature Coach, the institute broadened my teaching outreach view - I am much clearer with cross-curricular themes, cross-strand referencing, and how to help students think of themselves as scientists." - Teacher Participant

"I am so impressed and grateful for the strong support within all the institute trips, instruction, and activities. Having a daily topic was clarifying and then having the day correctly follow the topic made each day meaningful. This whole course of study was inspiring. Thank you." - Teacher Participant

"Strengths of the institute: Treating teachers well, rounding up fantastic specialists, naturalists, and teachers, and creating a program with clear scope and sequence. No weaknesses. I gained a greater understanding of the San Francisco Bay, got to know fun peer teachers, and had the opportunity to practice scientific inquiry." - Teacher Participant

"Recommend? Without reservation! By this, meaning all teachers, not just those who declare themselves science teachers. This institute does such a superb job of integrating all curricular areas and time for reflection on applicability to one’s grade level. Any teacher would deepen their professional depth, thus enriching their students. I will be encouraging all faculty at my school to apply for next summer. Thank you for a splendid week!!" – Liz, Science/Math Coach, K-5