Are there Advantages to Snow?

As we all know, snow totals have been crazy this year.  When I was teaching back in Connecticut, I think the teachers and I use to enjoy snowdays more than the students.  It was fun to wake up in the morning and find our that we had a day to ourselves to either sleep a bit longer, correct the extra set of papers or work on a special project.  What I always needed to include in the day was time to shovel. Yuck!  It was so cold!  We also needed to remember to stay off the roads. It is good to remember that there are many advantages to snow.

Check out an article written by Don Janssen called The Benefits of Snow at http://lancaster.unl.edu/hort/articles/2006/snow.shtml .

Snow can also be a time of fun.  My family and friends survived the 34 inches of snow that covered parts of Connecticut just recently. Once the snow stopped and the driveways were shoveled, it was time to play. The sun was shinning and the outside fun began.  From climbing on mounds of snow, to making snow angels or sledding down hills, memories were being created. Enjoy the photo to the right that was published in The Middletown Press in Connecticut.  Check out the article at http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2013/02/12/news/doc511ac96bed320336093940.txt#photo1

Remember when it snows, be safe and have fun!

Hope

Having been a former teacher and principal in Connecticut , the tradegy at Sandy Hook Elementary School devasted me.  I could feel for the parents, teachers and community members all shocked by the unbelievable act of violence. How could this happen? Why did it happen?  Will we every know? Is there hope for a brighter future? What are people doing in light of this horrific event?

 I visited Connecticut over the holidays and listened.  I listened to people who still could not believe that something like this could happen. I listened to some calling for stricker gun laws.  I listened to some calling for tighter security in schools. I listened to my nieces and nephews who shared feelings and talked about things they could do for the families.  I have a niece who is interning as a school counselor who shared her thoughts and desire to reach out to those in need.  My brother-in-law owns a restaurant in North Haven called Dino's.  A grandfather of one of the victims was a frequent visitor of the restaurant and he shared his loss.  My brother-in-law listened.  He decided to provided his customers with an opportunity to reach out by setting up a location in his restaurant to collect school supplies to donate to Sandy Hook Elementary School. DKG members in Connecticut shared their feelings and others listened. Many have been impacted nationally and internationally by this event.  Are we all listening?  Do we have hope for a brighter future? What are we doing?

The Hartford Courant  newspaper shared an article about two Newtown boys taking action.

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/newtown-sandy-hook-school-shooting/hc-newtown-united-sandy-hook-shooting-1220-20121219,0,2500252.story .  Stepbrothers Max Goldstein, 12 and Jackson Mittleman, 13, both of Newtown , CT started a movement called "Played Out," encouraging kids to dump violent video games outside Newtown Youth Academy.  These boys are listening to their hearts.

DKG members in Connecticut founded A Curriculum of Hope for a Peaceful World. http://www.deltakappagamma.org/CT/hope.php  many years ago. I would like to share with you what founder and DKG member Jeanne Morascini had to say as she reflected on the tragedy. "May 2013 be a year of personal growth, understanding, conviction and action for each of us.  Do take the time to nurture yourself with moments of silence to remind yourself that you ARE a peacemaker.  Take time to remember that you have innate inner peace that is always present deep within you.  You have but to bring it forth, to draw on it and share it with others who are in need of it.  May your life be enriched and your spirits enlightened by all the good you do each day.  May your efforts bring love into the hearts of others as we all strive to bring more peace to the 'tiny, fragile ball of life' called Earth.  It is, after all, only we who can do it."

 

December 2012

 

 I just returned from the last of 4 courses in The Business of Meetings Certificate Program sponsored by the America Association of Association Executives (ASAE).  The course I attended in Washington D.C. focused on strategic planning and marketing.  The course was designed to help me

1. Recognize the value of strategic thinking and the impact that it can have on the organization;
2. Identify various models and components of a strategic plan;
3. Leverage branding concepts, principles, and purposes;
4. Distinguish marketing roles, skills, and responsibilities to increase attendance and experience;
5. Discuss various sponsorship sales opportuinities, strategies, and points of view;
6. Articulate a global vision for the future while establishing a planning process;
7. Develop and implement a creative marketing plan to support positioning and branding.

While participating in this fabulous course, I also had the opportunity to work with members in other associations.  This sharing opportunity was invigorating and fun!

November 2012

 

Thanksgiving is a time to stop and take time from our busy schedule to think. Think about all that we should be thankful for in our lives. Taking time to reflect on our families and friends can be heartwarming.  How have these individuals touched our lives?  I am sure it has been in many different ways.  Have you ever been thankful for a teacher who made a difference in your life?

Teachers are often not given enough thanks, yet they impact lives on a daily basis.  We are often presented with negative news about schools and the teaching profession. Many know that some teachers are even leaving the profession. In a recent article in the online published version of  Education Week October 30, 2012, Paul Barnwell referred to Five Reasons Why Teaching Is Still Great.

•  He refers to the countless wins a teacher feels with the small victories she/he experiences each day.
•  Another reason even though teachers make "excessive personal and professional sacrifices", is that a teacher can focus their efforts on what matters. 
• For those of us who were teachers, we also realize that teaching it is not a desk job.  "The variety of challlenges and encounters keeps the work of teaching exciting." 
• With the growth of technology, teaching gives us an opportunity to be innovative with new tools that will impact the lives of our students. 
• The fifth reason refers to the fact that there are no limits to professional growth and exploration.

Check out his full article. We, as educators, need to be proactive and celebrate the teaching profession.  As DKG members, we can help keep teachers in the profession by supporting Early Career Educator Projects within our chapters and state organizations.  We are always educating and need to continue to celebrate and be thankful for all that teaching has given us.

I want to give special thanks to Mrs. Chase, my sixth grade teacher, who insipired me to become a teacher.  Thank you, Mrs. Chase!

October 2012

Hats off to women leaders!  We impact many lives and it is often good to remind each other of this fact.  This month I attended The Texas Conference for Women.  I was joined by my colleagues Corlea, Linda, Nita and Beverly, our DKG 2012-2014 International President. The theme of the event was Imagine.  Women were motivated to dream the possibilities, achieve the reality and make a difference.  Texas First Lady Anita Perry welcomed thousands of women representing all generations and careers to the Austin Convention Center for a day full of  inspirational keynote speakers and dynamic breakout sessions. Keynote speakers included Charlotte Beers who was named "The Most Powerful Woman in Advertising" and Cathie Black, a well-known media executive, named to Fortune magazine and Forbes as one of the "Most Powerful Women in Business". The day was energizing and thought provoking! 

September 2012

Final preparations are being made for the Austin CTAUN Conference which will be held at the Joe C. Thompson Center at The University of Texas at Austin on Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 9 to 4. The conference titled Promoting Tolerance: Solutions for Change is a conference for educators, students and concerned citizens.  It will include keynotes, panelists, breakouts and an info fair addressing local and global social, educational and legal trends and solutions.



 This is a wonderful opportunity for various organizations to work together to promote a common interest. The Austin Steering Committee includes representative from the following organizations:

Committee on Teaching About the United Nations

 

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

 

GlobalAustin

 

College of Liberal Arts

College  of Education

The Unversity of Texas at Austin

 

America Association of University Women

 

Austin Independent School District

 

Central Texas Model United Nations

The University of Texas

 

Hemispheres

 

Noethwest Austin Rotary Club

 

United Nations Association Austin

 

Registration is only $50 and includes a box lunch. 

Student registration is $25 and includes a box lunch.

(Additional fee of $10 and no box lunch for registration after September 10)

Six continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours available.

For registration and information visit www.teachun.org



August 2012

The International Convention in New York City was very exciting as over 2,000 gathered at the Sheraton on 7th Ave. for inovating speakers, shopping, dynamic breakout sessions, shopping, broadway shows, shopping, inspirational general sessions, shopping and  a wonderful Marketplace!  Plans are already in motion for the Regional Conferences next summer which will be in Cheyenne, WY; Orlando, FL; Branson, MO; Portland, OR and Amsterdam in The Netherlands.  Start planning!  Think ahead also to the 2014 International Convention at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, IN.