1^st Annual Great Teachers National Summit - 2008

Great Teachers for Our City Schools, a national summit held April 29 - May 1, 2008, in Denver, Colorado, was a unique opportunity to share information, ideas and lessons learned about preparing teachers for successful practice in urban classrooms.

The National Summit drew over 200 participants and featured a strong lineup of presenters and panelists, ranging from leading researchers and policy experts to higher education decision makers, school district officials and award-winning classroom teachers.

Plenary, panel and small-group discussion sessions focused on innovative policies and practices, recent research findings and new and emerging strategies in areas ranging from recruitment, induction and compensation, to preparing teachers for the cultural and linguistic diversity in urban classrooms.

The three-day gathering was sponsored by Metropolitan State College of Denver and Denver Public Schools in collaboration with Educational Testing Service, The College Board, State High Education Executive Officers and Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education. 

View the Summit program here.

Download the presenters' biographies here.

1^st Annual National Summit Presentations

In Hot Pursuit of Ethnically Diverse, Highly Qualified Teachers in Math, Science, English and Special Education

 Learning Dialogue: Assessment and Communication in the Information Age

Leaving a Legacy: Teacher Candidate Impact on Professional Development Schools

Retaining Great Teachers: What We Know and What We Need to Learn

Rethinking Science Education

Science Teacher Ed. for 21st Century

Teacher Education Community

Teacher Quality Partnership Project

Teachers for a Competitive Tomorrow

Are Teachers Prepared for Racially Changing Schools? - Teachers Describe Their Preparation, Resources and Practices for Racially Diverse Schools

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee's School of Education

Urban Teacher Residencies: Teacher Preparation for the 21st Century