After such a great conference my mind is wide open to new ideas and techniques. I want to send a heartfelt thank you to the amazing group of presenters who gave their own time to enhance all of our programs. Having a growth mindset sometimes gets the better of me and I end up biting off more than I can chew, but I guess that’s better than getting stuck in a rut, which I’ve been in too. I also want to thank our conference board and executive board for working tirelessly all year to put together another fantastic Rocky Mountain States Conference. Most of all, I need to thank our membership! It is because of all of you that we continue to be CTEA. Leaner budgets and increased workloads have reduced our conference attendance numbers over the years. This year I am asking for your help in reaching out to our colleagues; in our buildings, our districts, our CTSO networks, and friendships throughout the state. I began my involvement with CTEA when I moved to Colorado in 2001. To this day I have many great memories of laughing, learning and honoring my friends. I want to continue to make new memories and create memories for our veteran and new generation of educators alike! If each of us works in earnest to bring along one new member to our next conference we can essentially double our numbers (the math in STEM ;) This means that we have double the workshop opportunities, double the hallway conversations (which often lead to amazing classroom ideas), double the laughs and of course double the food! Essentialy, “CTEA x2!” As an all-volunteer board we are looking for your help as we begin to plan next year’s conference. We need CTEA members with many different talents. From cloud reaching tech savvy folks to those who are ground based go getters. Please email me and let me know if you would like to help out in any capacity. The board would love to continue to have our conference planning happen via web based meetings, so physical distance should not deter you from getting more involved. I look forward to serving you all this year by continuing the legacy of CTEA that has been entrusted to me, as the previous Presidents have done for me. But I cannot do it alone, the Executive Board is right here with me every step of the way, working on your behalf to create a network of teachers and administrators who are here to support and inspire one another. Best wishes and Rock On!
Marc Finer
CTEA President
Marc Finer
CTEA President