By Megan M. Bettis, CASE 4 Year College Director

Attending the CASE conference is always a highlight of the year, offering an infusion of energy into teaching. The professional development offered is especially impactful for beginning teachers, as it helps them build their professional network and develop their pedagogy. Two pre-service teachers from UC Davis, Megan & Keegan, had the opportunity to attend and share their insights into why they were motivated to participate, what they learned, and advice they have for those who didn’t attend.

The CASE conference is a key event for science educators, offering a range of workshops, inspiring speakers, and the opportunity to connect with colleagues across the state. 

Megan attended the conference because she was excited to network with “like-minded teachers who want to improve their art," while Keegan was eager to “expose myself to new practices and strategies for the science classroom." Both left with valuable takeaways that will help shape their approach to teaching. Keegan’s biggest takeaway was the realization that “it is always possible to create a new practice or to rethink one I am already doing.” For Megan, the closing speaker, Dr. Christopher Emdin, made an impact, particularly his discussion on ‘ratchetdemic’ and how “teaching is a performance that we must have down to a science and raised up to an art.” The workshops and speakers at the conference provided an opportunity to inject creativity into teaching practice and motivation to improve.

Even if you weren’t able to attend the conference this year, you can still embody the energy and enthusiasm of the conference. Megan suggests, “Each science teacher is different in the ways they teach, and their identities and backgrounds can be harnessed in tandem with finding their teaching style. When we teach with our identities, backgrounds, and quirks both in mind and out loud, we can make our science classrooms into a place where students can express themselves freely and authentically.” In addition, CASE offers multiple ways to stay connected. You can join a committee, engage in a regional event, participate in a webinar, and connect with CASE on social media. Ultimately, continuing to grow and learn as educators is key to staying inspired and effective in the classroom.
 

About the Author

Megan M. Bettis is a supervisor/lecturer of Teacher Education at UC Davis and serves as the director of the UC Davis Young Scholars Program and the CASE 4-Year College Director. Megan earned her EdD at Arizona State University, and her research focused on social and emotional learning and STEM identity development.
 

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