Conference 11: A word with the 2011 grant recipients

The EdTA Annual Conference grants give new educators and pre-professional members access to workshops and opportunities to earn continuing education units and graduate-level credit. As day one of the 2011 EdTA Conference drew to a close, we spoke with this year's recipients about their initial impressions and what they hope to gain from this experience. 

Stacy Rumbaugh (new educator)

"I teach at Deltona High School in Florida, where I was also a student and Thespian troupe member (Troupe 7436)."

"I want to come back to my classroom with renewed energy and give my students more of the resources and strategies that are available.  Our school and district, specifically, is really cracking down on assessments and curriculum. Last year at the Florida Conference we worked together on regenerating the standards for the state, so it was cool that I was able to print those out and bring them to the PDI and we were able to use them. Teachers from other areas around the nation were excited to see what I brought."

Marcy Goodnow (new educator)

"I'm in my second year at Paso Robles High School in California, teaching drama, dance, and leadership. Drama is definitely my passion. I took over a program that had kind of fizzled out so I'm rebuilding and focusing on just pulling things back together right now."

"I'm looking forward to just building up my teacher repertoire and meeting people and seeing what they're doing. Some of it's great because I'm finding out I'm on the right track.  I want to build my foundation as a teacher and know what's up and coming, and use technology, and use the tools that are out there in support of my curriculum."

Benjamin Stewart (pre-professional)

"I started the year thinking I would be substitute teaching at some Seattle middle schools and high schools. Then just last night I got a call from a principal at a Seattle high school and she wants to hire me, so I start there next Tuesday."

"I'm looking to add to my toolbox, particularly in regard to directing and assessment in the classroom. I want to look at some of the other rubrics that are out there, and to meet other teachers."

Katherine Stout (pre-professional)

"I just got hired this year officially at Ramona Convent Secondary School in Alhambra to be their drama production director after school. I should be getting my MA at the end of this year in theatre education from Cal State San Bernardino in California."

"I've only been here for one day and have already gotten so much out of it. In today's PDI we planned out a whole year's worth of theatre classes."