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Conference Corner – Ralph Egolf

Our 50^th statewide conference recently concluded at the beautiful Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, and it was an enormous success.  Nearly 600 people attended the three day conference, which began on Thursday, October 11^th and concluded on Saturday the 13^th.  The Conference and 50^th Anniversary Committees did a wonderful job of planning and executing the many activities of this very special event.

Thursday began with four very successful pre-conference workshops, including a packed reading strategies workshop hosted by Holt, Rinehart and Winston and presented by nationally known reading specialists Judith Irvin and Janel Wood. Thursday evening attendees were privileged to hear two very entertaining and motivating speakers, Bert Bower and Kenneth Davis. Both of these gentlemen are nationally known speakers and authors.  Their messages inspired those attending to return to the classroom with a renewed spirit and to strive to excite their students about history. 

Friday morning kicked off with a general session featuring a welcome from Orange County Superintendent Ron Blocker and Orange County School Board member Joie Cadle. They were followed by speakers Gayle Thieman and Susan Griffin from the NCSS and former Congressman Lou Frey.  A special moment occurred when Endowment Chair Kris Scola and Board members Sally Day and Sheila Keller presented the first installment of a $100,000 grant to the FSU College of Education for the purpose of enhancing training through the Social Studies Education Department. This was part of the 50^th Anniversary celebration and was given to FSU because it was the birthplace of the FCSS in 1952. Dr. Marcy Driscoll, Dean of the College, was on hand to receive the grant. Finally, Sheila Keller unveiled the first book written about the history of FCSS entitled, Better Together: The Story of the Florida Council for the Social Studies.

Friday continued with over 70 well received breakout sessions and, of course, the fantastic exhibits hall, where over 40 vendors demonstrated the latest materials. During the day, our first silent auction was held to raise money for the endowment. Items auctioned included signed sports memorabilia, signed books and scripts, and hotel getaways. Over $2000 was raised for the endowment fund and it was so successful that plans are being made to include this event every year. 

Every year, a highlight of the conference is the Teacher-of-the-Year Awards Dinner.

Ms. Nan Palermo, Director of Special Curriculum Services for Orange County Schools, delivered a very thoughtful speech honoring all of the award recipients.This year, over 40 educators from across the state were honored as winners from their respectful districts. In addition, former Congressman Lou Frey, former Senator Bob Graham and Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Fred Lewis were recognized as Outstanding Citizens. Other winners included: McDougal Littell Warren Tracy Beginning Teacher Awards – Anne Roycroft(Winner) and Shakeba Thomas(Runner up); Pearson Prentice Hall Excellence in Teaching History – Barbara Nauditt; ProQuest Global Education Award – Beverly Ledbetter; Agnes Crabtree International Relations Award – Maureen Marullo; B.J. Allen Social Studies Professional Award – Susan Fogarty; J.R. Skretting Outstanding Leadership Award – Teresa Murphy; Wilma Simmons Golden Service Award – Fran Holleran; and the Doyle Casteel Award – Dr. Theron Trimble.

Many comments were received that this was the best conference they had attended. Next year’s conference also promises to be a great one!  Please start making plans to attend next year’s conference in revitalized downtown St. Petersburg at the recently renovated Hilton Bayfront October 23rd -26^th. The Pinellas Council for the Social Studies has already been planning to make it a very special event. There is a very important change to note about the 2008 conference.  Due to the recent conflicts we have had with professional planning dates, the primary day of breakout sessions will be on Saturday for the first time. Hope to see you there!