 Debbie (Deb) WeisenmillerTeacher, 8th Grade Reading Allegany, ACTA  |
After returning home, I had a new appreciation for all that is accomplished at the MSTA convention. It is a lot more than just business. There are connection s and friendships created that eventually may help impove the lives of thousands of people. The total effect of what happens during that time may not happen for years. I've tried to impress upon as many people who would listen the need for all teachers to attend at least one of these events, just to gain a true appreciation of the hard work that is done for them by others. Who knows? Maybe someone will take me up on it. I sure hope so.
I had a great time last evening as Seacrets!
10/20/07 - 9:45 a.m.
The food was great and everyone was so nice. They really do treat you very well here. We had a unique experience, simply because we were absent minded enough to forget our tickets to the event. Once we realize this had occurred, we asked the cab driver, who had brought us to Seacrets, to take us back to the hotel to get the tickets. He was kind enough to run us back to the hotel and did not charge us for the ride! How wonderful was that?! People can be so kind, at times.
I'm looking forward to another informative day. I've learned a tremendous amount about how much work is put into things that we as educators take for granted. I think everyone should have this experience, if for no other reason than to appreciate what is done for them.
It is now lunch time and the morning was quite invigorating and up-lifting
10/19/07 - 12:26 p.m.
It is now lunch time and the morning was quite invigorating and up-lifting. Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown gave a wonderful opening address. He spoke about the up-coming session on October 29 th and hopefully they will get some issues out of the way, Thornton Funding being one of the issues. He was definitely a crowd pleaser.
Every person that spoke made me feel so appreciated. I think that is something that lacks in our job sometimes. It was great to have that expressed directly.
The keynote speaker was Lily Eskelsen from NEA. She was a dynamic, motivational speaker. She sang a song entitled, “If We Have to Test Their Butts Off, There'll Be No Child Left With a Behind”! It was wonderful! She really got the crowd into her presentation. She had many great points and was very invigorating. She suggested that in the time were we are constantly under scrutiny, we should stop complaining to people about how bad things are and begin to tell them all of the wonderful things that we are doing and all the wonderful experiences we have that touch our lives and the lives of our students. This is a very good point.
I also did not realize that 1 out of every 100 Americans is a member of NEA. That is some pretty powerful numbers. We should be able to accomplish a lot, as long as we work together.
Well, enough for now, it's time for lunch. Until tomorrow……..
Good Morning!
10/19/07 - 9:30 a.m.
It is 9:30 Friday and things are happening. This is my first year as a delegate, and everything is new and interesting. Sooooo much to learn! We arrived here last evening late and missed most of the President's Reception. We were there long enough for me to meet many people, some of whom I have had the pleasure of meeting before.
In the morning, we arrived at the convention center shortly before 8:00 for the caucus. Allegany County has a very respectable representation here at the convention. That was very nice to see. My fellow delegates are being very helpful.
After tending to business upstairs, we came back down for the opening of the floor. There is a tremendous amount of things happening all at once. I feel like I should be at several places at once to experience it all. With that said, I am going to return to the floor to observe some more.
