Trust Me, I Just Don't Need Another Mug!

This Idea Is Just Too Good!

So, how many teacher coffee mugs do you own? And I bet you just don't need another, right?

Try this idea to help make this holiday season the best for you AND your students:

My Big Idea:

I ask my room mom to send home a note to my students' parents telling them that instead of going through all of the fuss of shopping for a holiday present for their child's teacher, all they need to do this year is help send their child's teacher to an SDE Conference which will directly impact their child's education in a positive way! 

The letter should simply request that they send your room mother any amount of money to cover the cost of a one or two day conference. A typical donation of $10 each for a class of 26 students pays for  an entire day of learning for the teacher. You might also want to see if your PTA will sponsor the second day.

Upcoming Conferences:

Click the image for more info.

Here is a conference scheduled for Dec 8-9 in Hot Springs, Arkansas that has a fabulous line-up of presenters:

Julie Lee

Julie has been a kindergarten teacher for 10 years. Her creative approach to teaching inspires hands on lessons that are kid friendly, engaging, and fun, and she enjoys creating unique activities that reach students on multiple levels. Julie is the author of the blog Mrs. Lee's KinderKids, where she loves sharing innovative teaching ideas with other teachers. 

Palma Lindsay

Palma is a kindergarten teacher who has stayed on the cutting-edge of educational research and technology throughout her 37-year classroom career. She has taught grades K through 8, serves as a mentor to new teachers, and shares her fun ideas in her innovative blog, "KFUNdamentals." Her sessions are jam-packed with new and fresh ways to keep the FUN in the FUNdamentals. 

Pat Pavelka

Pat is an exciting classroom innovator and speaker with more than 35 years of experience as a teacher and national education consultant. She consistently earns high marks for her creative strategies, straight-forward style, and real-life answers to challenging issues. Pat is also the author of a variety of popular professional books, including "Reading Standards for Literature," available in three volumes: K, 1, and 2. 

Crystal Radke

Crystal Radke is a Texas educator with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worn many hats in private and public education for the past 12 years but has taught kindergarten for the last seven, which is where her heart is. She enjoys developing curriculum to keep learning and fun alive in the early childhood classroom. She is the author of the blog, Kreative in Kinder. 

Greg Smedley-Warren

Greg has been a teacher for 10 years, and the last seven years he has spent in his favorite place—the kindergarten classroom. Previously, he taught for two years in Ecuador where he was named Outstanding Future Educator. He shares with teachers tons of ideas for making the classroom experience bright, happy, and hands-on for little ones in his blog, "The Kindergarten Smorgasboard." 

Watch Video

Dan St. Romain

Dan is a national educational consultant who is passionate about helping educators shift their perspective on behavior and the best ways to provide support given the challenges posed in today's classroom. He presents on topics impacting school climate, brain-based instruction, developmentally appropriate educational practices and presentation skills. Currently, as a behavior consultant for a school district, he works directly with students and supports staff. He is author of the books "Ten Simple Songs for Better Behavior in the Classroom" and "How Are You Feelin', Juan Pablo Chameleon?"

I hope you have a 

GREAT Thanksgiving 

and that you get to attend an 

SDE Conference soon!