Prior Preparation

Teachers learn best from one another because the most professionally influential person to any teacher is another teacher.

What to Bring to the Orientation Meeting (right after dinner on Thursday evening)

In order to maximize the benefit of this retreat for you and the other participants, please prepare and bring printed copies of your own Retreat Handout to share at the Orientation Meeting. Your entire handout could fit on one sheet of paper (possibly front and back if needed) depending on how much you choose to write.

YOUR Retreat Handout (Items to Include)

At the top of the page: Your name, institution, your e-mail address, and any other contact information you wish to share with other retreat participants. If you want, you may also include a small photograph of your face to help other participants in getting to know you.
Teaching Success Story: A brief description (one paragraph may be sufficient) of a method, strategy, or technique, possibly an innovation of your own, that you have successfully used to enhance your teaching.
Unresolved Teaching Problem: A brief description (one paragraph may be sufficient) of a persistent problem or challenge in teaching you have not yet resolved that you would like to discuss with other teachers to explore possible solutions.
Quick Tip: A brief description of an object lesson, a device or app you use, a motivational activity, or some simple "trick of the trade" that works with your students (different from your success story). It doesn't need to be astounding, just effective for you and your students. You will have an opportunity to demonstrate or explain this idea to the entire group.
OPTIONAL: Information about an influential book, journal article, or even just a quotation from a great thinker that has helped you in your work as a teacher; however, the topic does NOT have to be specifically about education. If you want to share a quotation, simply include it on your handout. If you are sharing a book/article, please include the following on your handout: (1) author, title, publication date, etc., and (2) a brief description of why you would recommend that book or article to other teachers. You may also bring an actual copy of the book/article to the Orientation meeting to put on the sharing table of our Retreat Library for participants to browse.

Retreat Schedule

The basic Retreat Schedule indicates times for meetings and meals. Any event based on the tried-and-true, highly effective seminar model of the National Great Teachers Movement has no preset agenda of topics to discuss. The agenda emerges and evolves from conversations about topics initiated by you and the other participants in the handouts you bring to share (see "Retreat Handout" information above) as well as about other teaching/learning issues of greatest interest, relevance, and current concern to you during the retreat.

What to Wear at the Retreat

Feel free to dress in casual clothing, but come prepared for Utah's strange weather. According to usclimatedata.com, toward the end of February, the Moab area averages relatively mild days (57 F.) and chilly nights (30 F.); but the record February highs have been in the upper 70's, so it's a good idea to bring clothing for layers to deal with warm or cold temperatures. It occasionally snows in Moab, so you should be prepared in case it does.

What to Do During Friday Afternoon Free Time

On Friday afternoon, we have scheduled several hours of free time. Following are places and activities you may enjoy in the Moab area. Web links have been included to provide details to help you decide what you might like to do. If you want to go hiking, be sure to wear appropriate footgear and clothing; take at least 1 quart (1 liter) of water per person; and don't forget your camera!

1. Arches National Park. If you do not have a National Parks Annual Pass ($80), the entrance fee is $30 per private vehicle (up to 15 people); valid for 7 days. The trail to Delicate Arch (a unique Utah rock formation) begins at Wolfe Ranch parking area (very limited parking). Hike is 1.5 miles one-way; allow 2 to 3 hours for the round trip on foot and for picture taking. The Visitor Center is next to US Hwy 191, about 30 minutes (17 miles) one-way from Red Cliffs Lodge.

2. Canyonlands National Park. If you do not have a National Parks Annual Pass ($80), the entrance fee is $30 per private vehicle (up to 15 people); valid for 7 days. Out of the four districts in Canyonlands, Island in the Sky is the most accessible for a driving tour and short hikes. The Visitor Center is about 1 hour (44 miles) one-way from Red Cliffs Lodge, taking Utah 128 West to US 191 North to Utah 313 West straight onto Grand View Point/Island in the Sky Road.

3. Dead Horse Point State Park can be visited on the same trip to Island in the Sky of Canyonlands; but the fee is NOT covered by a National Parks Pass. Entrance fee is $20 per private vehicle (up to 8 people); valid for 2 consecutive days. Viewing area is about 1 hour (42 miles) one-way from Red Cliffs Lodge, taking Utah 128 West to US 191 North to Utah 313 West. Follow signs to Dead Horse Point.

4. Some "Local Secrets" are near to Red Cliffs Lodge. You may recognize these magnificent locations because of their role as backdrops in various movie and television productions. What makes them even better is you can visit for free! The following places are accessible without using a high-clearance truck or sport utility vehicle:

- Castleton Tower (a.k.a. Castle Rock) and The Rectory, Priest, and Nuns can be viewed from La Sal Loop Road in Castle Valley. From Red Cliffs Lodge, turn left onto Utah Hwy 128 East and drive about 1 mile. Turn right onto La Sal Loop Road; drive about 4 miles; these spectacular sandstone monuments make up the skyline on your left.
- Bull Canyon Overlook and Dinosaur Track Site is further up the road, passing through Castle Valley. This interpretive site is about 30 minutes (around 17 miles) one-way from Red Cliffs Lodge. Turn left onto Utah Hwy 128 East by the Lodge and drive about 1 mile. Turn right onto La Sal Loop Road; then continue for 10.7 miles. Do not follow the La Sal Loop Road signs when they turn right but instead continue on the FR207 road for 5.4 miles. About one-half mile beyond the Fisher Mesa signs, park in the lot on the left, just before the road turns to dirt. A short gravel trail leads to the dinosaur tracks. Weather conditions can affect access.

Fisher Towers can be viewed in the distance from Utah Hwy 128 (near Milepost 21). From Red Cliffs Lodge, turn left onto Utah Hwy 128 East and drive about 7 miles. Turn right onto Fisher Towers Road; leads to a picnic/campground area and the Fisher Towers Trail. This constructed trail provides close-up views of Fisher Towers and the Onion Creek area. Distant views include the Colorado River, Castle Valley, Fisher Mesa, and the Book Cliffs. Hike is 2.2 miles one-way to ridge at end of trail; allow 4 hours for the round trip on foot (depending on weather conditions).

5. Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage is downstairs in the Red Cliffs Lodge; open daily; free admission.

6. You might simply want some time alone in your mini-suite to reflect on your teaching... and to take a well deserved nap!

Additional Room Charges

If you want any "extras" the lodge may offer (e.g., pay-per-view movies, more than one personal guest, extended stay at hotel, etc.), you must provide a personal credit card number when you check in. Participants will be responsible for additional charges they may incur. If you plan to have family or friends stay with you in your private mini-suite at Red Cliffs Lodge, please review and honor the Condition for Bringing Personal Guests (on the Lodging, Meals, Travel page) and pay for any additional costs required to accommodate your guests.

Electronic and Emergency Communications During the Retreat

Although free Wi-Fi is readily accessible throughout the facilities at Red Cliffs Lodge, mobile phone service may be spotty (the best "spots" seems to be near the front desk and outside by the rock features in front of the Lodge), so if you need a phone number for emergency contact during the retreat, please use their main line at 435-259-2002. They cannot transfer a call from their toll-free line.