October Leadership Message
October, 2024
What a fall it has been. Our thoughts go out to friends and family who were impacted by Helene and now Milton, and of course our Pacific coast family impacted by the wildfires. Please know we are all hoping for the best for everyone. I would be remiss not to mention those of our members who have loved ones impacted by the events in the Middle East. We really do need each other and need to share positivity. I truly pray we all emerge from these events and are stronger and closer to each other because friendship and relationships do have healing power.
Our TED Family Reunion is just 26 days away (from the writing of this message). I hope you have registered and will join us in Pittsburgh! Here is a look at are main events. Please note this is not the full schedule, just an overview of the larger gatherings/meetings
We are all also very aware that the Conference begins on National Election Day! Please take the opportunity to engage in your right to vote through your state’s early voting system. There are only two states without the option for early voting - Sorry AL and NH. You can find out more about your state through the US Vote Foundation website: https://www.usvotefoundation.org/early-voting-dates
If you have specific concerns and want to reach out, please contact me directly. See you in November!
Other important messages for the Conference
Kaleidoscope Updates
Are you a faculty member attending this year's annual TED conference? We are looking for faculty mentors for the Kaleidoscope Mentorship Event. Faculty volunteers will be paired with a student mentee and then meet with their mentee once at the conference at a time and place that works for them. Please sign up to be a mentor through this link: https://forms.gle/x4UnEr5Kf3JbRX7n6
If you are a student member and are interested in mentorship at the conference please sign up through this link: https://forms.gle/XRfbEBLTynftXKZG6
Last, every year at the TED conference we hold a student research symposium where faculty judge and provide feedback on student posters. If you are interested in judging posters at this year's conference please sign up through this link: https://forms.gle/SGZt3phY7WdhFW5z7
Thank you for supporting students in TED!
Neurodivergenet Educators & Researchers With Disabilities Symposia (NERDS) Caucus
Are you going to TED this November? Do you identify as a neurodivergent and/or disabled educator and researcher? If so, we would love for you to share your work and ideas during the NERDS Poster session! It is schedule to take place on November 8th at 9 AM. If you are interested, please tell us about your work that you would share on your poster here: https://shorturl.at/k6BPd
October Members on the Move
TED members had some very impressive “moves” this month! We continue to stretch our International Reach! I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m getting a little FOMO here!
Valentina Contesse, our Co-Membership and Diversity chair recently went to Bermuda to work with schools there to help teachers implement UFLI Foundations. So many fun collaborative projects lie ahead to improve literacy outcomes!
Ruby Owiny, Past President recently went to Tanzania to work with the Almasi Foundation to support schools! They were able to purchase and donate technology needs, provide professional development to help teachers support students and improve education and lives in the region! In addition to these awesome photos check out the YouTube clip from the TV news report: https://youtu.be/P1NRWWkfG1I
We love to highlight our members! Please share what you are doing.
TED is Your Professional Organization
I say this every Leadership Message - but I really do want to hear from you! This will be the focus of our Town Hall Meeting on Thursday Nov. 7th @ 10:00 AM. The Presidential line and other Board Members will be there to share our vision, answer questions, and listen! Hopefully a lot of listening! Please join us to share your ideas and become more involved with your professional organization!
In the meantime, or if you can’t attend the conference this year, please fill out this form IDEAS for TED_Virtual Suggestion Box It can be anonymous. However, if you would like to engage in dialogue with me or another board member, please share your name and contact information. I look forward to hearing from you and sharing your ideas with the board.
Until Next Time,
Enjoy the next few weeks, and I look forward to seeing you in Pittsburgh!
Kyena