2019 Spring Conference Opening Remarks
Good morning. I’m Dan Murphy, President of MCELA, and a teacher at Bonny Eagle High School. Welcome to the annual conference of the Maine Council for English Language Arts. As you might imagine, a great deal of time and effort has gone into this day. So, I’d like to begin with a few thank yous:
First, to Heather & Gerry Hill and the staff of Point Lookout for welcoming us once again to this beautiful venue;
Second, to Vice President, Carrie Barbosa & the conference committee for planning the conference, selecting the presenters, and efficiently addressing the myriad details that pop up along the way in preparation for today’s event [PLEASE STAND];
Third, thanks to novelist Gillian French and poet Stuart Kestenbaum whose works remind us of the power and importance of the written word;
And finally, to all of you - the 35 teachers who will share your expertise today and the 145 teachers who have taken time out of your busy schedules to join us..
The Maine Council for English Language Arts is an affiliate of the National Council of English Language Arts. Our mission is to provide Maine ELA teachers opportunities to reflect upon and improve their teaching practices. While this work is guided by the Executive Board (please stand), by attending today you too have become members. In addition to hosting this annual conference MCELA has
As you entered today you received some wonderful swag (Thank you Renee!) you also received a conference folder. Let’s take a look at this now. Please note three items:
First, today’s schedule;
Second, a conference feedback form. Please complete at the end of the conference. If you are interested in becoming more involved in MCELA, this is one way to let us know.
Finally, a half sheet flyer that provides some information on a publication titled Northwords. For years MCELA published a journal. We want to do so again. This will be a place for Maine teachers to share their stories and expertise. Please consider submitting an article for publication. Some possibilities include lesson plans, research studies, poems, art work, and reflections on teaching practices. You can find further information on the MCELA website.
Our theme today is Facing the Wind: Navigating Knowledge Through Language and Literature. Many forces make our work difficult, threatening to blow us off course. Today’s conference is designed to celebrate the expertise of Maine educators and to help us renew our commitment to providing meaningful experiences for our students in spite of pressures that nudge us in other directions.
So today is about you: about gathering new ideas, sharing your expertise, and taking a pause from your busy schedules to prepare for the challenges ahead. Have a wonderful day.
Dan Murphy
March 22, 2019
First, to Heather & Gerry Hill and the staff of Point Lookout for welcoming us once again to this beautiful venue;
Second, to Vice President, Carrie Barbosa & the conference committee for planning the conference, selecting the presenters, and efficiently addressing the myriad details that pop up along the way in preparation for today’s event [PLEASE STAND];
Third, thanks to novelist Gillian French and poet Stuart Kestenbaum whose works remind us of the power and importance of the written word;
And finally, to all of you - the 35 teachers who will share your expertise today and the 145 teachers who have taken time out of your busy schedules to join us..
The Maine Council for English Language Arts is an affiliate of the National Council of English Language Arts. Our mission is to provide Maine ELA teachers opportunities to reflect upon and improve their teaching practices. While this work is guided by the Executive Board (please stand), by attending today you too have become members. In addition to hosting this annual conference MCELA has
- Hosted Dine & Discuss events on pressing issues such as PBE,
- Sponsored a poetry event titled Written, Spoken, Rapped: Using Poetry in the Classroom,
- Crafted policy statements on issues such as Dual Enrollment Credit, and
- Testified at legislative hearings on recent bills such as LD 94: An Act To Prohibit the Dissemination of Obscene Material by Public Schools.
As you entered today you received some wonderful swag (Thank you Renee!) you also received a conference folder. Let’s take a look at this now. Please note three items:
First, today’s schedule;
Second, a conference feedback form. Please complete at the end of the conference. If you are interested in becoming more involved in MCELA, this is one way to let us know.
Finally, a half sheet flyer that provides some information on a publication titled Northwords. For years MCELA published a journal. We want to do so again. This will be a place for Maine teachers to share their stories and expertise. Please consider submitting an article for publication. Some possibilities include lesson plans, research studies, poems, art work, and reflections on teaching practices. You can find further information on the MCELA website.
Our theme today is Facing the Wind: Navigating Knowledge Through Language and Literature. Many forces make our work difficult, threatening to blow us off course. Today’s conference is designed to celebrate the expertise of Maine educators and to help us renew our commitment to providing meaningful experiences for our students in spite of pressures that nudge us in other directions.
So today is about you: about gathering new ideas, sharing your expertise, and taking a pause from your busy schedules to prepare for the challenges ahead. Have a wonderful day.
Dan Murphy
March 22, 2019