The abundant rain, which drenched California several weeks ago, has produced a rare learning opportunity for Tulare County students. The vernal pools at the Circle J-Norris Ranch field study site are now full.

Amanda Driver, lead teacher at Circle J, is encouraging teachers to contact her to arrange a visit to the field study site. Students of all ages – from elementary through community college – are welcome to attend and utilize available lessons or work with Driver to create research of their own.

Another way teachers can enjoy the learning opportunities at Circle J-Norris Ranch is by registering to attend the annual Field Science Day on Friday, February 17. The Field Science Day is open to classes of middle and high school students, and community college students. At the event, students will conduct original research and collect data on vernal pool ecosystems, measure water levels, and monitor the animals that depend on the pools.

For more information about Circle J-Norris Ranch, a program of SCICON, the outdoor education school, visit tcoe.org/CircleJ.

To register for the Field Science Day, contact Amanda Driver at circlej@tcoe.org or call (559) 539-2263. 

Leadership Support Services and Educational Resource Services will host Dr. Douglas Reeves and a team of consultants from Creative Leadership Solutions for a full-day Fearless Schools Summit on March 1. The summit is based on Dr. Reeves’ book, “Fearless Schools: Building Trust and Resilience for Learning, Teaching, and Leading.” The core of fearless schools, Dr. Reeves explains, is psychological safety. In this interactive presentation, he explains how leaders and teachers build and maintain trust and psychological safety. Special attention will be paid to resilience – bouncing back from physical, emotional, and psychological injury.

Following Dr. Reeve’s keynote presentation, participants will have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions led by members of his team. Topics include Engagement Strategies for Inclusion, Multi-Tiered System of Support for SEL, Power of PLCs, and Creating Inclusive Classrooms.

Registration is $125 per person and now open at: forms.gle/irnQtt67UmTZWzej8.

Dr. Reeves is the founder of Creative Leadership Solutions, a global research, consulting, and professional learning organization serving schools and educational systems in 50 states and more than 40 countries. Dr. Reeves is the author of more than 40 books and 100 articles on leadership and education. He was twice named to the Harvard University Distinguished Authors Series and has earned several other national and international awards for his contributions to education. 

Registration is now open for the 38th Annual Tulare & Kings Counties Teacher Recruitment Fair. The fair is hosted by the Tulare County Office of Education’s Human Resources Division and will be held on Friday, March 10 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the Corteva Building (Building C) of the International Agri-Center in Tulare.

Candidates are encouraged to preregister online at tulare.k12oms.org/144-229464 by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8 to receive admission at 4:00 p.m. Interested candidates who have not preregistered by completing the online application will not be admitted into the fair until they have registered onsite.

School districts in Tulare and Kings counties (K-12) are seeking the following candidates for the 2023-2024 school year:

 • Credentialed Multiple Subject, Single Subject, Education Specialist, and Career Technical Education teachers

• Candidates in all subject areas who will be eligible for a teaching credential for the 2023-2024 school year.

A list of the participating districts and their recruitment needs will be posted in mid-February at tcoe.org/TeacherFair.

Editor: Robert Herman, Communications Director
Contributors: Nayirah Dosu, Marlene Moreno, Jennifer Fisher, Amanda Driver, Marty Frolli, Ed.D., Cesar Balboa, and Ramon Garcia 

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