Welcome to the MSTA L!VE member blog! We’ve recruited member-delegates from across the state to share their L!VE weekend with you. Track the weekend’s activities and events throughout Convention 2006. Learn more about our bloggers!
Nori Burkhardt Talbot County Education Association
10/23/06
Glad to be home ... yet not quite so glad to be back at work. Now don't get me wrong — I love discussing education, I love advocating for change — not only in my own classroom, but in classrooms in the state (and even in the country if you catch me on a good day), I love advocating for my students, I even love teaching those little _________ (fill in your own affectionately derogatory term here); it is those hassles attached to teaching that I don't enjoy coming home to, especially all the grading I completed on Sunday night. I refused to bring any to the convention — thank goodness too because Saturday's afternoon session was LONG!
I was excited to come back for the afternoon — O' MALLEY was everything I hoped for, as always. Several of the shore delegates, along with yours truly, got a nice photo op with Martin and Anthony ... yeah that's right we ARE on a first name basis :). I will email the picture to the good folks over at MSTA as soon as I get a copy and scan it. (My poor friend has not jumped into the world of digital photography yet.) In case you are wondering, and I know you are — yes they are both just as attractive in person, and no that is not why I am voting for them. I'm not a political activist or analyst — I just know that O'Malley has made several positive changes for the Baltimore area and he doesn't give me that sketchy politician vibe that I see clearly written over so many candidates' faces. I look at many candidates and I sense their apathy; many don't seem to realize that their ‘paperwork' does truly affect the lives of their constituents on a daily basis. Over the few times that I have personally met O'Malley and discussed his policies within a group, I have always observed genuine interest and concern about how his decisions affect the day-to-day lives of Marylanders. (I was also impressed that he was knowledgeable about issues specific not only to the Eastern Shore, but also to only Easton . He knew candidates names and backgrounds, and how those candidates have helped or hurt Easton residents.) So, I've digressed somewhat, the point is that I feel extremely confident in my choice for governor.
The rest of Saturday afternoon wasn't quite as invigorating as O'Malley's speech, but interesting nonetheless. We had 7 new business items on the agenda to discuss. Sometimes the political process can be quite mind-numbing. Though there were several moments when I wanted to stand on my seat and shout ‘Get a clue!' or ‘I expect more listening from my students!', I do now understand why I occasionally see politicians on C-SPAN sleeping during session. I knew my vote on most of the issue before the debate on the floor began — the debate usually only furthered my point.
I'm glad I do not have to do this type of work frequently, but give me a party at Seacrets and a free hotel room for the weekend and I can put up with some voting ... ahh, politics in action :).
Adieu my loves, I have now wasted too long of my planning period. I have procrastinated too long and have 4 more classes of A Midsummer Night's Dream packets and essays to grade before tomorrow. If you are interested in helping, or would like to hear more of my rants on education and life in general, please drop me a line, otherwise I'm going back to being the relative recluse I once was ... geez, I love alliteration.
John Hendrix
Montgomery County Education Association
10/23/06
So the hay is in the barn, the fat lady has sung and the MSTA convention is over. The delegates got in their vehicles after many fond farewells and made their ways home.
Overall, it was one of the best conventions that I've attended. Our new President, Clara Floyd did a fine job leading us through the debate on the new business items (NBIs). Hats off to Clara — I would be absolutely petrified trying to do that job.
Other than the great speeches by the visiting dignitaries, I thought that the coolest thing in the world was the passage of an NBI that will give counties the option of electronic voting for MSTA elections starting in 2008. There was considerable pushback on that from many members with valid concerns, and even more pushback from members who don't trust Al Gore's invention, but, in the end, the majority saw fit to step to dip their toe into the inviting waters of the 21 st century.
I think this will mean greater member participation in our elections and, although it wasn't discussed, give us the ability to conduct statewide polling of our members which will better inform the decisions of our leadership and make us an even more democratic body. Most importantly, however, this vote will help close the digital divide and allow more people to read our cool blogs.
Thank you, MSTA, for giving us bloggers the chance to express our personal views and for giving all of us a glimpse of the rich diversity of views, personalities and opinions that make us the great organization that we are.
Dawn Lynch-Jones
Frederick County Teachers Association
10/24/06 - 11:00 a.m.
WOW!!!! Once again, the MSTA convention was a thrilling experience. I love having the opportunity to listen to all the new business and voting on it. I have a say in what’s happening in education. My vote counts.
This year there were also a lot of gifts that were raffled! Some were fantastic and I just knew I’d hear my number but…. I didn’t.
Did you get to see the exhibits? I was like a kid in a candy store. So much to see and the vendors were all ready to talk shop. I liked how the vendors were separated into two exhibits halls. One hall had vendors and their wares while the other exhibit hall had health and wellness. I got soooo much information and I couldn’t wait to share all I got with my team at my school. I loved the “freebies” too! You can never have enough “freebies!”
I thought it was a great idea to have workshops and activities planned for teachers as well. Yes, we are working hard, but as Clara put it best, “Teachers know how to have good clean fun!” I had the opportunity to network with other teachers and see old friends. It’s good to reconnect and thanks to the convention, I was able to do so.
I am looking forward to doing this all over again next year! I have to remember to take that Thursday as a half day. I don’t want to miss anything this trip has to offer!
Sally McAteer
Allegany County HS, Allegany
10/21/06 - 11:30 a.m.
Well, Let's talk about Friday night at Seacrets! The band was excellent and the dance floor was rockin' with teachers and ESP from all over Maryland. The food and drinks were superb! What a way for teachers to have fun!
One of my favorite highlights of the morning was listening to the newly elected teacher of the year, Michelle Hammond. What a babydoll!
One of the fun times of the MSTA Convention is the coming together of people from your county for meetings and voting for amendments. Even though we don't agree on everything, we all come together at the end of voting. What an enjoyable convention!
