Workshops

Since I was at convention, I wanted to check out a couple of workshops.  When deciding on what to take, I picked ones that I have an interest in and ones that fit my personality.  Well times are are tough and money is tight,  so I picked Grant Writing: Finding Funds in a Tight Economy.  It was very useful. I was given ideas and proper procedures on how to go about writing a grant.  The best advice I can give you from the information I got from the workshop is start small and then build up to the big grants. 

As for the the other session,  I am trying to have a somewhat “green” lifestyle.  So I figured, why not practice what I do at home and bring it to my work environment? I say why not, in the long run it is cheaper and healthier for your district, it is great for Mother Nature, in most cases they work better than most chemical cleaning products used in our schools, and most of all children are sick less often and much less affected by the harsh chemicals.  Seems like a clear cut choice to me…What do you think?

The Floor Take Two

As I  mentioned before, I was able to get some ideas on how to work the floor, and maximize my time while there.  So I figured I would get an early start. I was waiting to get on the floor right as the doors opened (8:00 a.m.).   All I can say, what a difference.  It was so quiet, there was just the hum of the air vents and the slight whisper of a tiny crowd.  Instead of fighting my way through the convention floor I was allowed to take the time to speak with vendors on a personal level. I was able to ask questions and they gave me valuable information. It was such a relief from the craziness of yesterday.  I must say it was much better and I did get a lot more free items.  So I can now suggest: go early, take the time to really speak with the vendors, and you will be rewarded for it.  After a couple of workshops I will report back to see what the floor looks like in the afternoon.  I’m off to workshops on grant writing and going green.

Long First Day

     Wow, what a long first day.  As you may know, my day was packed with a non-stop agenda. The traffic was the worst, Cynthia Nixon was great, the floor was INSANE. Trying to meet with all my friends, family, and co-workers was a difficult task. I did get to meet up with some fellow SPARKS (newer, younger members). Then a couple of us went to dinner together. The company was great, but the food at the Tun Tavern- I have had better.  So after dinner I had a plan to go back to my room to try and sneak in a nap before meeting with some friends for a night out on the town.  Like I said, “a plan.”  I passed out from exhaustion and the next thing I know it is 6 o’clock in the morning.  I slept right through the night, some nap, huh? 

    So after my “long nap”  I was ready to set out for a new day, with a new plan to work the floor. I was given lots of ideas from talking with random people I met on the floor yesterday.  Check in later to see how these ideas went…

From the Floor

I have just three words to describe the convention floor; INSANE, INSANE, and CRAZY-INSANE.  I never thought in a million years how crowded it was going to be.  People rushing this way and that way to be the first to get the free stuff. I do have to tell you, the yard sticks must go. I was stabbed and poked by them at least six times.  Did this happen to you?

I did get to speak with several people. Some were willing to give up their secrets on how to work the convention floor.  It was a big help; I am willing to take any advice I can get.  If you have some more ideas please let me know. It is a jungle out there.  Thank you again to all of you who gave your input.  Be safe, and most of all have FUN!!!! See you on the floor.

Cynthia Nixon

As you all know, I ended up down here a little later than expected (traffic).  So with my bag in tow I went right to the Cynthia Nixon keynote address. To be honest, I really didn’t know what to expect.  Here is this well known actor, who has starred on TV, movies and plays. In my mind what does she know about public education? Well, let me tell you I was extremely impressed. Here is this woman who is a product of a public education herself and she sends her own children to public schools. When asked why she is such an advocate for public education, her response was, “It was the way I was raised.”  She spoke with such passion about her own teachers and how each one of them has left an imprint on her life. Seeing how thankful she was made me feel great to be a public educator. Ms. Nixon  has spoken at many rallies to help support public education and make sure it is properly funded.  She has even been arrested at one of these rallies for standing up for public education funding.  For that I applaud her.  She also stated, “Being a teacher is one of the hardest jobs, it’s like being a parent times 30.”  With each word she spoke, my respect for her grew.  How great is it to have such a supporter of public education. I know now why she was asked to join us this year as a keynote speaker.  If you where there and would like to share your thoughts please let me know. I would love to hear from you.

I am here!!!

So I left my house at seven in the morning and headed down to AC for convention.  The ride was going great until about 1 mile before my exit.  I have lived in NJ all my life and have experienced some heavy traffic jams, but this was insane.  It took me an hour to go a square block. I never would have guessed in a million years how many people would be here.  Note for next time: come even earlier.  Did any of you run into the same problem? If so, let me know what you did about it.   Keep checking in to read my NJEA Convention blog.

It was the Night Before Convention

 

It was the night before convention and all through the state,  

Not a teacher was grading, not even the ones who stay up late

I at my desk top, and my suitcase all packed.  

I’m so excited, this is truly a fact.    

For it is 7 a.m. I’m out the front door. 

I can not wait, to hit that grand ol’convention floor.     

With my bag at my side, it is empty for sure.

But soon it will be filled, with free goodies galore  

At 10 o’clock in the a.m. some time with Cynthia Nixon I will spend. 

Then to the workshops, undoubtedly I will go.   

I might even take in a late show. 

Two days of convention, for all eyes to come and see.

Something for everyone, including you and me.  

For it is the NJEA Convention that is where I will be.    

I will keep writing and convention secrets I will tell.    

So this good-night but certainly not farewell.

I want to take this time and thank all of you who have posted your comments to my blog.  I look forward to seeing you all at convention. I have taken your advice and suggestions. I plan on bringing them with me to convention.  Remember, I will continue to write and post new blogs while at convention.  So keep writing and sharing all of your Ideas.

Lull to Luster…

The school year has started, the classroom rules are established, our students are acclimated to their daily routine, and everything is working like a well-oiled machine…Right?  In a perfect setting, it is!  However, the marking period is quickly coming to a close, you are two chapters behind in your unit, and you still need to get a few more grades in.  Let’s not forget that those projects you assigned three weeks ago are to be turned in by the kids.  I’m sure some of you may be getting ready for or may have had parent-teacher conferences.  The kids at all levels are pumped up about Halloween, the pile of papers on you desk is big enough to have their own zip code, your stress level is about to blow the roof off, and to top it all, you look out the window-it snowing.  Nothing sets off kids more than snow.  In October, no less!  Welcome to the “Lull to Luster” period.  Well, there is a light at the end of that tunnel and it spells CONVENTION!

I know… I know… you want those days to relax, catch up on some work and maybe even let loose.  Well NJEA Convention will bring you back from “lull” to a whole new kind of “luster.“  With the wide variety of professional development sessions, any of your teaching woes can be addressed.  You have no time to fit everything in - take a Classroom Management session; feel like you have 25 students on 25 different levels - try Differentiation 101;  confused about those IEPs – stop in and try Decision Making in the IEP; want to add a little more life to your science lesson - McGyver Science is for you. Or maybe you want to know the real deal about vouchers, then The Truth About Vouchers in New Jersey is the workshop for you.  Oh yeah, lets not forget you want to let loose…did you forget where the convention is held?   ATLANTIC CITY!!!  What a better place to spend a night out with some co-workers and friends.  Whether you want to sit back and relax in a lounge, dance your stress away, or listen to some live music, there’s something for everyone.  Not much of a party goer, but you like to shop your stress away? Then the endless amount of outlets and discount shopping is perfect for you.  No matter what you fancy, the NJEA Convention is the place for you to get yourself out of the “Lull” and return to that “Luster“.   I Know where I’ll be, how about you?

“What Should I Go and See?”

So we have three weeks until convention and as I’m browsing through The 2008 NJEA Convention Program I see tons of features, events, and workshops that I would like to attend.  Like some of you who might be going for the first time, you are probably asking yourself, “What should I go and see?”  I’ve been picking the brains some friends and colleagues to get an idea of who’s going to convention and what they plan on attending. You know, trying to get some tricks of the trade. But, each time I hear some of their ideas I want to go and do all of them. Which brings me back to, “What should I go and see?”

With that question continuing to be unanswered, I decided to come up with a plan of my own while flipping through the Convention Program. I decided to make a list and divide it into two categories: must see, and would like to see. At this point this is what I have so far.  On the “must see list”: Technology Integration Showcase, Keynote Speaker Cynthia Nixon, New Jersey Commissioner of Education, and the infamous Convention Floor.  For the “would like to see list” a few friends of mine are going to run in the NJEA Boardwalk Run and I would like to be there for support,  now as for the rest of my list, we can call it a work in progress.  This much I do know, I would like to see and participate in as much as I can.  To make sure I get the full convention experience, I’m going to put some more “feelers” out there before continuing my list.   If you have any “must see” ideas for me, let me know. I would love to hear them!

Four weeks to go!!

About a week ago, I received my 2008 NJEA Convention program in the mail.  I was excited to get it because I had decided a while ago that I really wanted to attend to see what it was all about.  During my first year teaching it was really tough to make the time to get down to Atlantic City for the Convention.  When I had two days off from school, I jumped at the chance to catch up on the work that was piling up on me.  I had also heard how packed the days are at Convention and I was already exhausted from my teaching schedule.  But this is going to be the year for me.

The first thing I’ve got to figure out is where I’m going to stay.  NJEA has negotiated room rates to stay at one of the hotels in Atlantic City but they fill up quickly.  So far, I’m leaning towards staying at my family’s vacation home in Green Bank, a small town near Batsto, which is about 45 minutes from Atlantic City.

Ideally, I’d get to stay in AC and get to better enjoy the night-life, but the other consideration is cost.  With times being so tight, I need to keep a careful watch on my budget. 

This is my situation, how many others of you are dealing with this issue?  Leave me a comment.