29th Annual
Pacific Northwest GREAT TEACHING SEMINAR
June 15 - 19, 2008
Welcome Colleagues!
The Great Teachers Seminar is a response to the belief that the best teaching ideas, innovations,
and strategies come from within our own ranks. There will be no outside “experts” at this seminar, only peers who
practice the art of teaching every day like you.
As community college teachers, we often work in isolation. Our schedules are different from those of our colleagues,
our days are spent inside classrooms and small offices. We don’t have an opportunity to discuss the great ideas,
daily successes, problems, helpful practices and teaching techniques that make up our professional lives.
In a relaxed environment, the seminar provides a wonderful chance to share ideas and to hear what works well for other
teachers.
Our Site
The Menucha Retreat and Conference Center is nestled among the towering trees of the Columbia River Gorge
Scenic Area. Menucha lies 25 miles east of Portland, near the small city of Corbett. The main lodge,
where you will be staying, is spectacular. Perhaps our site's greatest attraction is its surrounding 100 acres
of property, which include fabulous Gorge views, hiking trails, a tennis and basketball court, swimming pool,
and a volleyball court. Participants share rooms and eat family-style, helping with serving. Information about the
retreat location is available on the web at http://www.menucha.org.
Our Purpose
- To share educational innovations and problems
- To venture beyond separate disciplines. We don’t know each other’s fields, so we aren’t limited by them.
- To stimulate the exchange of information and ideas within the community college movement by building an expanding network of communication among faculty.
- To promote an attitude of sharing among motivated professionals in a relaxed, open setting.
- To celebrate good teaching and renew our commitment to education.
Who Will Be There?
We welcome anyone searching for new ideas that will enhance teaching and learning. Over the past 28 years, more than
1,000 alumni representing virtually every discipline have come to the seminar from community colleges in Alaska,
Arizona, California, Canada, China, Colorado, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada,
New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
We ask that you not bring dependents to the Seminar because there are no facilities available for them on or near the site. Further, living closely with the other Seminar participants is quite important because some of the best dialogue occurs during unscheduled times.
What's the Schedule Like?
The conference begins on Sunday with check-in time at 3:00 pm and ends Thursday
after lunch. Our schedule is carefully planned, but intentionally flexible, beginning with small group discussions
of the brief "innovation" and "problem" papers brought by all participants. You should expect to attend sessions each
day and most evenings, but you will also have plenty of time for informal discussions and for relaxation.
How Can You Reserve a Spot?
Contact Jan Woodcock at (541)440-4706 or jan.woodcock@umpqua.edu.
Cost of the conference is $550. This includes registration, lodging, meals, and all other expenses except transportation.
Enrollment is limited to the first 35 persons who apply. The seminar usually fills before the May 10th deadline, so we
urge you to make your reservation early.
Special Needs
Special dietary requests, including vegetarian meals, may be accommodated with prior notification.
Wireless access is available. A limited number of private rooms are available for an extra fee of $200.
Umpqua Community College is an equal opportunity educator and
employer.
Umpqua Community College, PO Box 967, Roseburg Oregon 97470 Phone: (541)440-4600.
This page last updated 11-14-07.