As I do each summer, I took time to learn new things. I traveled to San Antonio, Texas where I attended the conference of the International Society for Technology in Education. I had been selected to present to teachers from across the globe about our NPES SWAT Team while at the conference!!! Everyone loved what our team did in it's inaugural year, and I got some ideas from other teachers on ways to improve our SWAT team this year.
I was privileged to spend a week in Valley Forge, PA where I participated in the week-long "Heroes and Heroines" program. We explored major biographical figures in the light of six character traits (Jackie Robinson, Alice Paul, Native Americans, Rachel Carson, and the Founding Fathers). In addition to the scholarly lectures and pedagogical discussions, I met and spent time with Medal of Honor recipient, Flo Groberg. His entire presentation to our group can be viewed below. I will have a "Medal of Honor" theme in my TAG class this year as we focus on the six traits of character: integrity, courage, sacrifice, patriotism, commitment, and citizenship.