President's Corner June

Dear NYSTEA Members,

Like many of you, time just seems to get away from me this time of year. I apologize for not getting May’s President’s Corner out and for June’s being so late. Did I say June? It is hard to believe that the school year is at its end and that graduation is just a week away. At the June 13th Executive Board meeting, we welcomed three new members to the Board. Alta Jo Longware, Vice President; Kate Nichol, Executive Secretary; Melissa Hirt, Communication Coordinator. We also said good bye to Dave Arnone who has served NYSTEA and our Executive Board with great dedication over the years. I want to personally thank Dave for all of his help this year. Dave is now the President-Elect for the N.Y.S. Council of Education Associations (NYSCEA).

It is my feeling that NYSTEA had a great year. It began last spring with our NYSED/NYSTEA educational summit where a number of action steps were created. A number of those action steps have been met but there is still more to do.

In April, NYSTEA held its 46th Annual Conference at the Fort William Henry Resort and Conference Center in Lake George, NY. Over 120 members attended the conference and participated in some wonderful and creative presentations. These presentations provided participants with Professional Development hours. All attendees also got to enjoy two wonderful keynote speakers as well as honor the Regional Teachers of the Year during a luncheon in their honor.

The Annual Representative Assembly was opened to all and many regional associations were represented. During the Rep. Assembly three key resolutions were passed.

1. The adoption of “This We Believe” statement that outlines what NYSTEA believes Technology Education is. This statement is on our website. I recommend that you print out this statement and post it in strategic places around your classrooms and share it with administration and school boards when appropriate.  
2. Life Membership has been opened up for a one year window, starting September 1, 2009 and will sunset on August 31, 2010. The cost for this membership category is $750.00 and can be paid for in five installments over the next five consecutive years. You are not allowed to miss a payment.
3. A 2 year membership at a cost reduction of $10.00 has also been made available. This new ongoing option would put the cost of the membership at $90.00. Current members can also receive a one time dues reduction of $5.00 for each new member they recruit.

A key issue facing all of us is STEM education. As a result, the NYS STEM Collaborative was created. I reached out to the leadership of the Association of Math Teachers of NYS and the Science Teaches Association of NYS to form this collaborative. We have met twice so far and plan to meet again this summer as well as in the fall. As members, you can join the conversation by contacting your NYSTEA District Vice President. 

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank some wonderful people. Pat Boire for putting together a wonderful conference. Bruce Baker and Al Dybas for getting all the vendors to attend. The members of the Executive Board for their constant support. Finally Chuck Goodwin, Henry Strada and Bill Youngfert for their friendship and guidance.

Next year’s conference will be held April 14-16, 2010. The location will be the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel in Poughkeepsie, NY. Please be sure to check back this over the summer for updates and details as they develop. 
  
Finally, NYSTEA is only as strong as its membership. Please remember that NYSTEA
is the only group that advocates directly for your program and for you as a Technology Education teacher. If you have not been a member for awhile or have yet to renew your membership I urge you to do it today. There are a number of important issues facing our discipline and we need to have a strong voice to be heard. With your membership and your participation we will have that voice.

I look forward to meeting you in Poughkeepsie in 2010. Bring a friend.

Yours in Technology,

Jan Stark
President NYSTEA