Anyone Need a Pen...

...or a pad of paper, or a bag, or just about anything else you can think of? Sorry I haven't written in a few days, but its just been a lot of work. Pictured above is the stash of free stuff I came back with. There are pins, coffee, mugs, water bottles, etc, etc, etc. There is even a home drug test. There is a teacher in my department who has a "prize closet" for students who score well on quizzes, so some of the sillier junk will end up there - like the necklace made out of real Ohio buckeyes. (my out of state contacts for the week were from Missouri and Ohio) The Assembly went very well, and I had a fantastic time. Obama did speak to us via pre-recorded message:

He looks like he's sending us a kiss in the picture. I didn't go to the beach, or the zoo, or anywhere really special. We had meetings beginning at 7am each morning, and by the time dinner was finished it was 10pm, and I was pooped. I did have some great meals in the Gaslamp District. I had Italian twice - and the food was outstanding. And, I had to have Mexican once, and I have to say that it far outdistanced anything you can find around here. Other than that I just did a lot of walking around to see things like parks:

And pieces of artwork:

The one above is in MLK Park, and is about slavery. I love to travel, but its very good to be home.

~MET

NEA-RA Day Three

The RA actually began today, and there was lots of campaigning like in the pic above. We had many things to vote on, though the more controversial stuff will be tomorrow. I also saw Bill Richardson speak. We went to the ballpark tonight and saw Manny's first game back. Here is the view from my seat:

Yuk. I went down to the field level and discovered that they had a standing room section at the top with a place to set your food:

So...I watched the rest of the game with this view:

It was a nice night, and I had a good time talking with a group of Dodger fans.

~MET

NEA-RA Day Two

Every morning we start with a two hour caucus meeting with just the folks from Maine (above pic) We discuss our positions on all the issues that will be coming to the floor that day, endorse candidates running for office, etc. The RA actually begins Friday, so we have to prepare. After that meeting there was a town hall meeting with the United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan:

There were about 5000 teachers at this one, and he got a little nervous a few times. But - it was nice that he actually came to the RA, and listened to teachers. There are still some areas where we disagree - but he was here. I then went to the open hearing on the NEA legislative agenda, where we have input on what our lobbyists will be doing on the Hill in the upcoming session. During different times today I had a chance to talk to the current and past presidents of the NEA. Current president Dennis Van Roekel:

He is a teacher from Arizona. And past president Reg Weaver:

Reg taught in Chicago. The big event yesterday was the NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards dinner.

The NEA gives awards to both educators and non-educators who have done significant things in the area of civil rights. There are all kinds of categories and the stories are amazing. Here is my table:

It was a busy day, but very interesting.

~MET

Greetings From the West Coast

A very busy but fun day today. I had meetings in the morning, but then had a chance to go to the convention center to register. Our hotel is right downtown, and its about an 8 block walk through the "gaslamp" section of San Diego. After I registered I had a chance to walk through the "freebie displays."

I had lunch at an Irish pub called The Field:

Founded in 1843, the Field was opened by an Irish immigrant who was a farmer in the old country. He brought all of his worldly possessions with him, and those things are still on display today. The stuff is all over the bar in displays like this:

I had potato-leek soup, and it was very good. Our delegation had dinner together tonight in the presidential suite:

I have to admit that after the crappy month we have had in Maine this San Diego climate is pretty easy to take. Here is the view from the deck:

You can see Petco Park among the tall buildings. This is a great city, and I'm already looking forward to tomorrow. I have meetings beginning at 7am, with lots of political stuff on tap.

~MET

California Dreamin'

Early tomorrow morning I head to the 2009 National Education Association Representative Assembly in San Diego. This will be my second RA, having attended in DC last year. I'm excited for several reasons: I've never been to California, the NEA really does this up right, and I love the access to big names in education. For example, one session will feature Arne Duncan, who is Obama's Secretary of Education. There will be around 10,000 delegates from around the country, LOTS of free stuff, and lots of networking. I had a fantastic time last year, and I will try to post each night while I'm gone. The RA is four days, but Maine's 31 delegates have a couple of prep days also. Lots of meetings, talking with lobbyists, meeting with assigned state contacts (mine are from Ohio and Missouri), and voting on resolutions, the NEA budget, and new business items. Plus we have a lot of fun. This year I'll be seeing the Padres and Dodgers at Petco Park, and each night the Maine crew gets together to debrief and unwind. Our hotel is right downtown, and has free wireless, so I hope to check in with everyone soon. Until then:

You stay classy, Maine.

~MET

Here Comes the Heat

I'm not complaining....but I don't like it when it gets hot and I'm still in a classroom. Its supposed to be 90 degrees tomorrow, and I know you Southerners are saying, "that's nothing!" - but remember we don't have AC in our schools. There are two positives as the week winds down: Friday we have a workshop day, so I can dress more comfortably - and after work on that day I'll be heading north to go camping on Sebec Lake!! I can't wait, and I need to sit and relax and read. I'll actually be doing some WEA work, but it won't feel like work at all. Good meals, fires, perhaps a cigar, fishing, long walks, etc, etc, etc.

~MET

Back From the MEA-RA

Just back from the representative assembly in Portland. Another class event staged by the MEA, which included the following highlights:

• Debate on changed MEA resolutions (our "platform" of beliefs)
• Debate and action on new business items - those things we want the Association to accomplish next year
• Updates on upcoming legislative and referendum battles
• Debate and acceptance of next year's budget
• The MEA awards banquet, which is always a very nice event
• A rousing speech by Dennis Van Roekel (pic), the president of the National Education Association

The RA never fails to inspire me to do the work of a local labor leader, and never fails to make me very proud of my profession. There is no better title than teacher.

~MET

A Bit of Normalcy - Then Off to Portland...Again

I'm back at home tonight from rooming with Murph and Fatcat, but I only have tonight to sleep in my own bed. Tomorrow I head back to P-Town for the MEA Representative Assembly. Its a great couple of days representing my local association as the MEA decides on its direction for the coming year. I'll post about it when I return on Sunday. Hope all is well with everyone - got to go tune into the Nats.
~MET

Really Enjoying Work Right Now

I like my job all the time, but there is something about the spring at a public high school that puts a little hitch in my giddy up. I simply like:

• The material in my courses gets more interactive and interesting to me
• Seniors start getting excited about prom and graduation
• I get to open windows and air out the "teen spirit"
• Doing the dept. chair stuff like planning for next year and the budget
• I get to start thinking about hiking and camping
• Planning for summer professional development
• Planning for MEA & NEA activities: MEA-RA, NEA-RA, GR meetings, building meetings, etc

Now...spring does bring unique challenges also, but I think they are outweighed by the positives of the season. Its always a pleasure to go to work, but especially the last few months.

~MET

Good to Be Home

Yesterday we went to Arlington in the morning and then went to NYC. The pics from above and below are from dinner at the Center Stage Cafe in Times Square. As usual the chaperones I brought did a great job:

The Lion King was awesome again, and I've already decided we'll do Shrek the Musical next year. It was a good trip - I'm already planning some changes for next year - and I need some sleep.

~MET

DC Day Three

Began the day at the National Zoo, and the famous panda's did not disappoint. The students always have a good time here, getting to be little kids again.

There was a gorilla birth in January, but I couldn't get a picture of her...only her dad:
From there we went to the wax museum:
Students had a good time - but I think this will be the last time we'll do this one. Its not big enough, and I'm afraid the kids do gross things to get pictures.
We went to the National Museum of health and medicine in the late afternoon:
This one we will do again. Lots of interesting exhibits, including many real preserved bodies and body parts. After that it was off to Potomac Mills for dinner and shopping at the mega-mall. A very full and fun day.

~MET

DC Day Two

We began today with a picture stop at the White House, and then a tour of the Capitol:

The new Capitol Visitor Center is open, and there are things I like and dislike about the new way of doing things. It is much more organized, and the tour guides are better...but its a shorter tour and there is less of a chance of seeing members of Congress. Then it was LOTS of museum hopping. Here are some students in front of the American History Museum:

I took some time to check out the Newseum:

I might want to add this to next year's trip. Its brand new, and has some very interactive stuff. Tonight we saw Shear Madness at the Kennedy Center - which was a riot, as usual. A fun day, and I'm bushed.

DC Day One

The picture above symbolizes the LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG day that was my birthday. 48 students, and 12 hours on a bus. This is a great group, and they were fine on the trip down. We had one minor mishap...we had a flat tire. Luckily we got it 10 seconds from the hotel in Virginia. Pieces of it were flying around the roadside. Here is what it looked like when they got it off:

Don, our bus driver for many years, made the calls to get it fixed and we didn't have to change any of our plans:

After eating at Pentagon City Mall we toured all of the major monuments last night:

The highlight for me was that I got to see the fountains at WWII memorial for the first time. Usually they are not turned on in March:

What a big difference it makes in the appearance of the memorial. The weather last night was awesome, and I think everyone got off to a good start. We have a very full day today, and I hope I'll be able to post tonight.

~MET

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wick and I sported the same outfit for St. Paddy's Day. We bought the clover ties at the Kennedy Museum a few years ago while visiting with students. And everyone has a blue blazer and khakis. We even had the same lapel pin. It was funny to see the student reactions during the day. I don't know if I will be able to post while in DC, hotels tend to change their internet policies. If not, I'll touch base with everyone on Sunday. Have a great week.
~MET

A Productive Weekend

The conference in Boston was a big success. I went to three workshops - and two were very , very good. The workshops were about building a strong local association, bargaining, and building support through grassroots campaigning. I also went to the NEA legislative agenda hearing to see whats up on the Hill in the upcoming session. The bus ride from Augusta was fine, though it seemed long coming back on Sunday. I didn't have much time to have fun, but a group of us from Maine went out to eat Saturday night. The Northeast Conference is in Boston again next year, and I think its one that I'll continue to attend.
~MET

Off to Beantown Tomorrow

Tomorrow I will be off to the big city for the NEA Northeast Regional Leadership Conference. Its being held at the Boston Marriott Copley Place:

NEA leaders from nine states will attend to discuss a number of topics. As usual, I have chosen to be a part of the legislative talks, as the NEA prepares to introduce its agenda on the Hill in the upcoming session. There is also going to be a 2008 election celebration, speeches by the NEA officers, and I think Sen. Bernie Sanders from Vermont might be in attendance. I'm looking forward to my workshops, all the vendor freebies, and hopefully I'll be able to post from the hotel - if not, I'll do so on Sunday when I get back. I'm also taking the Concord line out of Augusta for the first time. Talk to you soon.

~MET

Winslow's Social Science Department

On Tuesdays and Thursdays we have a Social Studies Department meeting for about a half an hour to work on several initiatives, or just to share ideas. Our conference table is located in the back of my classroom, and we always have a good time with each other's company. To be frank - I work in the best department in the school. We all have specialties, I think we have great teachers, and we all are very willing to work hard to stay current in our fields. If you begin with the only female member and work clockwise:

• Trish is our European History expert
• Mark specializes in economics and psychology
• Scott teaches geography and western civilizations
• Mike specializes in geography
• Wick teaches American History - but with a social history emphasis
• and I teach American Government & Law and American History - with a political science slant

You'll notice that all the males are wearing ties, and that Trish is very professionally dressed. We are a competitive group, and pride ourselves in our professionalism. I know that I'm bias - but I feel very lucky to work with this department. We are also VERY experienced, with our junior member being an 8 year veteran, and 4 of the 6 having more than 24 years in the classroom. We love comparing methods and helping each other. Just another reason to look forward to my job each day.

~MET

Back From an MEA Conference

I spent Friday night and Saturday in Portland at a Maine Education leadership conference. When I'm gone Burt has the run of the house, as you can see from the picture that I snapped before going to work on Friday. A big piece of this conference was a discussion of the election results nationally and in Maine, and the upcoming sessions of the US Congress and the Maine Legislature. Here I am after dinner with new 1st District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree:

We have a number of very powerful women in our state, including the two pictured below. To my right is Maine political icon Libby Mitchell, who is the new President of the Maine Senate. On my left is the new Speaker of the Maine House, Hannah Pingree (Chellie's daughter). She's only 32, and will be a big player in Maine politics for many years. The Pingrees are from North Haven - look for huge earmarks heading to that tiny island.

I had a great discussion with the MEA's Government Relations Director (Steve Crouse) about the election, and about doing some more lobbying this year. He was, of course, thrilled with the results of last Tuesday - but the budget picture of the next three years is pretty bleak, and has him worried. That's why I want to get more involved in Augusta, so we'll have teacher's voices being heard at the capitol. It was a great time talking politics with some influential insiders.

~MET