PSYCHED UP FOR SCHOOL YEAR : EVENT BOLSTERS AREA TEACHERS' SPIRITS.

Byline: Enrique Rivero Daily News Staff Writer

Ray Ballard enjoys a good pep talk to kick off the school year.

That's why the Westlake High social science teacher joined about 1,400 other area teachers and staff at the Charles E. Probst Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday morning to hear motivational speeches and exchange ideas.

``You carry away a renewal - it just recharges the batteries to have a good school year,'' Ballard said. ``It starts the year off on a positive note.''

It was the second year the Conejo Valley and Oak Park unified school districts have banded together to offer employees a morning-long forum to talk about the latest developments in education and meet with peers.

The two school districts, where classes are scheduled to start today, also paired up last year in a similar event to discuss common goals in education, said Oak Park Superintendent Marilyn Lippiatt.

``We're really trying to create a unified view of what education is in the greater Conejo Valley,'' she said.

After a continental breakfast and some chat time outside, the proceedings moved into the Probst Center, where everyone heard welcoming speeches from Lippiatt, Conejo Valley Superintendent Jerry Gross, Conejo Valley board President Richard Newman, Oak Park board President Jim Kalember and Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Charles Weis.

The morning's main attraction was motivational speaker Mark Scharenbroich, whose presentation ranged from low comedy to high seriousness to make one important point - teachers matter.

``This is my first (day) back, which means this is the first time since June 15 that I've worn socks,'' joked Scharenbroich, who makes these presentations all over the United States and who won an Emmy Award for his ABC television special, ``Doing Great.''

He quickly got to the point: Educators have a profound impact on their students' lives, even as they are frequently unfairly blamed for many of society's ills.

``Can we cure all social ills? No. Can we make a difference in the lives of children? Yes,'' he said. ``That's why this is such a noble profession.''

The Simi Valley Unified School District was originally scheduled to have its own welcome back event at the Civic Arts Plaza on Wednesday afternoon with Scharenbroich, said board President Judy Barry.

The district postponed it because teachers and staff were faced with too much preparation for the school year, she said. Simi Valley schools also open today.

Kevin Smith, a world history and economics teacher at Oak Park High School, said the annual event gives him an opportunity to hear new ideas.

He comes away from these gatherings with many new things to think about.

``It lends me a new perspective for the new year,'' he said.

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--color) Motivator Mark Scharenbroich speaks to educators Wednesday at the Charles E. Probst Center for the Performing Arts.

(2--color) Conejo Valley and Oak Park unified school district employees attend the pep rally.

Phil McCarten/Daily News