UKIAH – “Teachers on Teaching: Sustainable Practices in Challenging Times,” a two-day conference for local and regional educators, will be presented at the Mendocino College campus in Ukiah on Friday, Feb. 26, and Saturday, Feb. 27.

Beginning on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and ending on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., the low-cost mini conference is designed to explore a variety of topics of interest to both secondary and post-secondary teachers.

“The Foundation Skills Teaching and Learning Community of Mendocino College is hosting this important local event to bring high school and college educators together to share ideas, build collaboration, and learn about current practices and projects in our local community,” said conference coordinator and Mendocino College English Professor Debra Polak. “If you are a current or prospective teacher or school counselor, this conference is for you.”

Building on a similar conference presented last year at Mendocino College, topics for this year’s sessions include “Curriculum, Planning and Pedagogy for Student Success,” “Supporting Basic Skills and Transfer Level Courses,” “Maintaining Effective Counseling and Student Services,” and more.

Other sessions will emphasize collaborative communication between high school and college educators and strengthening career and technical education programs and partnerships in the community.

“The conference is organized for a Friday afternoon and Saturday so busy local educators will have the opportunity to participate,” said conference co-chair Virginia Guleff, Dean of Instruction. “Based on last year’s successful format, we’re offering this year’s activities in a central location and at a low cost to help support local educators and their schools in difficult budget times. Cost for the conference is just $15 and college credit is available for an additional modest fee.”

In addition to informal presentations by college faculty and other local teachers, the conference will also include a student panel and a special session by guest workshop leader Mark Manasse from Miramar College in San Diego.

Manasse will explain how to use logic models for planning and decision making by offering insight about how he and his colleagues in San Diego developed a successful instructional assistant program in the English as a Second Language department at Miramar College.

A no-host social will follow Friday afternoon’s opening session. Concurrent sessions on other educational topics such as the use of online library resources, writing across disciplines, and mathematics learning strategies will also be featured on Saturday.

To register or for more information, please contact the Mendocino College Foundation Skills at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Debra Polak at 707-468-3137.

This conference is made possible in part through funds provided by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.