National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference
Last week, eight teacher leaders and I headed off for Atlanta for the NCSS conference (www.socialstudies.org). Bonnie, Beth, Kathleen, Angela, Jennifer, Matt, Loretta, Carolyn, and I had a great time attending sessions, lectures, and tours. We also enjoyed some great food and had fun exploring the beautiful city of Atlanta.
Nellie Perera and Lauren Appel (Henry Street Settlement) and I ran a hands-on session on tableau that had everyone up on their feet laughing and learning at the early hour of 8:00AM. It was a lot of fun, and we were joined by Carolyn, Angela, Beth and Matt who came to lend their support.
The absolute highlight for me was the talk by Greg Mortenson, the subject and author of “Three Cups of Tea.” He came to the conference straight from the ICU in Montana (against his doctor’s advice).
Mr. Mortenson was engaging, humble and sincere as he recounted the story of the first school he helped build in Korphe, Pakistan (with funds he raised by selling everything he owned as well as funds raied by school children and others) and the over 300 more schools he has built in Pakistan and Afghanistan since. It is an amazing story. To learn more about it or to get a Pennies for Peace fundraising project going in your school, visit www.penniesforpeace.org/ or https://www.ikat.org/.
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My particiation in the grant program of Leadership in American History has been a fulfilling adventure in real Professional Development. This opportunity that has been given to me by the director Elise Abegg who initiated and directs the program has been more than rewarding. The highlight was when Elise extended the invitation to all of the participants in this program to attend the National Social Studies Conference in Atlanta this year. A few of us climbed aboard and took off to yet another fulfilling, exiciting and memorable experience from this program.
The experience of attending the NCSS conference was truly a gift from the TAH program. We attended great workshops held by very interesting and touching speakers. One of my favorite moments was when one of the keynote speakers; US Representative John Lewis, spoke of his early days joining and assisting Dr King. You could hear a pin drop in the audience. He was so engaging, I felt like I was right there as he told the stories of the civil rights battles, protests,and marches as he walked alongside Dr. King. He retold the fragments of his involvement with the Civil Rights Movement, he spoke about Dr. King’s words and the real man himself. I brought those stories back to my kids and tried to retell them as he did. They were in awe as I relayed the personal relationship he had with the kind and caring Dr. King. I was amazed and touched and so were my kids. That is just a small piece of what I gained from this conference. The sightseeing was awesome and the tours and dining were fun also. I had a great time with great people who certainly show their love for the sharing of ideas and methods to improve the quality of education for all kids throughout the United States. I would not have otherwise had the opportunity to experience this had it not been for Elise Abegg and The Leadership in American History History program that I have been a part of for the last two years.