As our conference approaches, I pause to think of all the amazing things Missouri Social Studies teachers have done so far this school year. Our members have presented at regional and national conference, attended conferences (often at their own expense) and submitted thoughtful comments to DESE regarding the NCLB Flexibility Waiver. Meanwhile, we bring innovative and engaging lessons to our students while balancing our spouses, children, extracurricular activities and whatever little bit of personal time we can squeeze into our jam-packed schedules.
I am so proud and honored to be associated with such a tremendous group of educators! Your passion is inspiring and motivating, and our state's children are better off because of every single one of you.
I look forward to convening with you all at the end of the month. I love having our conference in February. By this time, we've been in school for quite a while and the last day of school is still a little way away. Students are anxious from cabin-fever and they need something new and something different. This conference will give you ideas to do exactly that.
Our conference has some outstanding presentations that will "Ignite the Imagination" of both you and your students. This is the perfect time to get re-energized and I am confident you will be.
In the meantime, take time to look at opportunities to visit a new museum, read a book, take a class, start a blog, visit a historic site, apply for summer institutes or start reading professional journals in your area of interest. You could also start exploring twitter and facebook and seek out ways to employ social media pedagogically. Whatever you do, keep your excitement alive. If you find something worth sharing to the membership, please send us an email so we can get it in our newsletter. There is so much we can learn from each other!
We cannot thank you enough for all of the things you do for our students. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You are irreplaceable and we are so glad you do what you do.
Take care and we'll see you in two weeks!
Tina M. Ellsworth
