School and Community Fall 2023

I loved the breakout sessions at these events but felt that there weren’t many opportunities for early educators to have professional development at the time. The next year, my dear friend and colleague, Mary Watkins, and I led our own breakout session. Our first presentation was in regards to helping early education teachers find ways to implement writing in the classroom in a fun and exploratory way. I have gone on to enjoy sharing two more times after that first presentation. These lessons are something I have been given the opportunity to share with my coworkers as in-house professional development for our district as well. I am already brainstorming my next adventure to offer as a breakout session. I often think back to the days when I was a quiet member. Maybe that is where you are today. If so, I want to encourage you to step up! SEEK an opportunity to find a leadership role in your CTA. You have strengths that will benefit others, and we need strong leaders not only in our schools, but in MSTA. GO to Open Hearing and Convention as a voting delegate. GO to Leadership in the summer! Consider running for your region board and officer positions. Who knows, maybe you will be bold and someday run to be MSTA President! I am sharing this with you to challenge you, but I am also re reading my words and challenging myself as I have taken over our local CTA Presidency this year. If you aren’t sure where to start, begin by finding your CTA president and share that you would like to sit on a committee. This is a safe entry way to becoming a leader. MSTA has shaped me professionally by allowing me to connect with other educators who share ideas, supporting teacher work in the classroom and within my district. These connections have

extended into my personal life as well. Erin Burnham and Amy Kelsey introduced me to a fellow MSTA member, (President-Elect at that time), Nic Vasquez. When Nic and I had our first date, fellow MSTA member Jon Sorens watched Nic’s kids! (I don’t even want to talk about the amount of sugar consumed on Jon’s watch…) Sparks flew and we became inseparable. It was so fun to attend MSTA events together as members and to be so involved! For those of you at Convention 2018, during the President’s Bash for Toni Schmidt, Nic got down on one knee in front of a crowd of 300 (I don’t know the actual number, but it sure felt like a LOT of people) and asked me to be his forever bride! We are now rocking the blended life, and are both still loving MSTA. I think MSTA is an organization that is full of networking, learning and growth opportunities if you fully invest. If you aren’t sure who to go to, reach out to your member service coordinator. If you aren’t even sure who that is, jump on MSTA. org where you will find contact information for each region. Don’t worry if you contact the wrong service coordinator, people are so kind and friendly they will simply help you connect with the correct coordinator! MSTA is certainly living up to their mission statement of “Empowering Missouri’s Teachers.” Don’t be a stranger - I can’t wait to see you at Convention in November!

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