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CCTE Q & A

  1. Why get involved in the California Council on Teacher Education (CCTE)?

The California Council on Teacher Education is a hub of teacher education research and agency in California. There are two organizational conferences yearly. The first conference is the CCTE Fall conference, which rotates locations every 2 years, and caters to emerging research and professional networking. Proposals for the fall conference are due August 25th. The second conference is the Spring Policy Action Network (SPAN) and is located in Sacramento, California. Proposals are due January 25th. This conference caters to networking and issues in educational policy. Additional conferences for mentor teachers and University Supervisors are also scheduled, and information can be found under the conference tab at the top of the web page. 

  1. Who should get involved?

CCTE offers opportunities for anyone who is passionate about education. It is an excellent space for graduate students, K-12 educators and leaders, and educators and leaders in higher education, regardless of department, field, or position.

  1. How do I get involved?

If you are currently instructing an academic institution, as an adjunct or tenure track position, check with your department chair to see if there is an institutional membership. If so, inquire about other faculty who have taken part in CCTE conferences and the organization. 

If you are not part of an institutional membership, you are welcome to join the organization as an individual or as a small group. Please see the Membership (linked) page for more information.

  1. Why submit a conference proposal to a California Council on Teacher Education (CCTE) conference?

The CCTE conferences are exciting and inspiring to attend, but submitting a proposal offers a relatively high acceptance rate for presenting. In addition, presenters are offered the opportunity to share a video of their presentation, which is published on the CCTE YouTube channel after the conference. Also, presenters are invited to submit an article based on their presentation for the CCTE Monograph after each conference. All three offer excellent opportunities.

  1. When are conference proposals due?
  • Proposals for the fall conference are due August 25th. 
  • Proposals for the spring SPAN conference are due January 25th.
  1. Why submit a manuscript to the California Council on Teacher Education (CCTE) publications?

There are multiple avenues for publication in CCTE. The CCNews is a periodic newsletter with organizational updates from the board members and committees. The Research Monographs are a collection of articles based on the conference presentations in both the fall and spring conferences. Education Teacher Quarterly is a journal that publishes research on classroom instruction. Issues in Teacher Education is a journal that publishes research on current trends and topics of concern in the Teacher Educator field. Depending on your interests and passions, there is a publication for you!

  1. When are publications due?
  • CC News articles are due: February 15 (spring), May 15th (summer), August 15th (fall), November 15th (winter)
  • CCTE Monograph articles are due: April 5th (spring) and November 5th (fall). Note: The Monograph only accepts articles from presenting authors from the most recent conference
  • The Change proposals are due January 15th, and articles are due February 15th
  • Issues in Teacher Education has an open call
  • Teacher Education Quarterly has an open call
  1. How should I navigate this website?
  • Start at “Membership 101.” Treat this as your “home base orientation” to understand membership options (individual vs. institutional), benefits, and how to plug in.
  • Read the “About / Who We Are / What Are Our Priorities” pages. Check out the JEDI, Policy, Research, and Community-Building sections to see how your values and work (equity, critical reflection, leadership development) align with CCTE’s mission.
  • Explore Committees & Special Interest Groups. Commit to at least one group that aligns with your focus (for example, JEDI, Policy, Research, or a content-specific SIG). That’s a strong way to get involved beyond attending conferences.
  • Look through Publications. Our journals TEQ, ITE, and the “CCTE Reader on Social Justice” are excellent forums for research and scholarship that could inform or ground your workshops, leadership-academy curricula, and board-level advising.
  • Check “Conferences.” Note upcoming calls for proposals. Given your background designing leadership academies and facilitating workshops, you might consider submitting a proposal or organizing a session that aligns with CCTE’s priorities.
  • Monitor “News / Announcements.” View our policy-related handouts, calls for proposals, and updates. This helps you stay abreast of policy advocacy, new publications, and collaborative opportunities.
  • Use “Our Community / Member Spotlight / Spotlight Submission Form” to connect and contribute, perhaps as a way to highlight your own work (e.g. student-facing leadership academies, equity initiatives) to the broader CCTE community.
  1. What is a SIG? Why participate in CCTE Special Interest Groups?

A SIG is a Special Interest Group. This is usually a group of members with a common interest who work together. This can be program change, idea sharing and development, or even aligned research or writing.

CCTE currently has nine special interest groups (SIGs) that meet during our annual Fall Conferences to encourage discussion of specific topics of relevance to teacher education. Consider participating in whichever corresponds with your personal interests

  1. What are affiliated organizations? Why join and participate in CCTE Affiliated Organizations?

CCTE is affiliated as the state chapter of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) and the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE). CCTE members are encouraged to be active in both of these national organizations.

  1.  What are associated organizations? Why join one or more of the CCTE Associated Organizations?

There are currently eleven other educational organizations that CCTE has designated as associated organizations. These are independent organizations with which CCTE shares a vision or mission, and CCTE members are encouraged to join and participate in those that match their interests.