As summer break winds down, AVUHSD teachers are preparing for another year of growth and learning after an exceptional professional development day at Eastside High School, kicking off the 2025-2026 school year. 

This annual event is an opportunity for teachers to receive information and workshops on new strategies for supporting students in all facets to help better facilitate learning and engagement in their classrooms. 

This year, the theme “Reimagining Teaching and Learning” was presented through the available sessions and presentations. Dr. Loy Dakwa, who is an Induction and Professional Development coordinator with the district, said this central idea focuses on addressing the gaps students experienced due to the pandemic and the developments of AI and technology in education by reimagining the classroom to better equip our students. 

“So we said, okay, let’s think about that and then bring in presenters that could offer strategies to enable teachers to really reshape and rethink their classrooms,” Dr. Dakwa said.

Aligning with this idea, the keynote speaker Dr. Corey Seemiller gave a presentation about Gen Z, which is the majority of current students. With extensive research into the cultural differences that set them apart from generations before, she was able to give teachers guidance on these students’ mindsets and how to meet them where they are. 

“She really brought to light that as educators, we need to tap into their need for being an entrepreneur, for out of the box thinking, for making them loyal to the things that they believe in,” said. Dr. Dakwa. 

Palmdale teacher Nicole Santana has been teaching for 21 years, and she found the data presented on Gen Z fascinating and insightful. 

“It really made me think about my kids, not just this generation that I’m teaching, but all the generations I’ve been teaching and how I can teach the generations coming,” Ms. Santana said. 

This event also gives teachers the opportunity to reconnect with their colleagues before starting the new school year, bringing a sense of camaraderie and excitement as they go into session and learn something new. 

Both newer and veteran teachers were able to take away valuable skills and practices for the new year. SOAR teacher Casey Swafford, who is going into his second year of teaching, said he’s going to be more ambitious this school year. 

“I want to make sure that my classroom management is efficient, that I’m communicating with students properly,  and that I’m really building an environment that is effective to learn in,” Mr. Swafford said. “I feel like a lot of the stuff I learned today has been contributing to that, for my AVID class and my regular curriculum class.”

Thank you to Dr. Loy Dakwa, David Rivas, Dr. David Palmer, Dr. Jennifer Slater-Sanchez, and the rest of the classified and certificated staff that played a role making this event a success!

We are excited to have our entire AVUHSD family return for another year of exciting achievements!