The Sheraton Sand Key Resort in Clearwater Beach continues to be a wonderful location for NTI
As in years past, the 2011 conference was packed with high quality sessions and activities that (borrowing the words of Dr. Barbara Smith), produced the highest level of discourse ever for this conference.
NTI attendees received a padfolio filled with
excellent information and resources
The program this year included State Day Activities which hosted all of the various states both CSEFEL and TACSEI work with to increase their capacity to support professional and policy development that promote social and emotional development and address challenging behaviors.
This is one of those conferences where attendees work hard, make the most of their time networking and learning new skills presented at each of the 3-hour long workshops.
On Thursday (the first full day of sessions), monsoon-like weather came through for much of the day. There was even a tornado (or two) that touched down a few miles from our conference site!
On Thursday (the first full day of sessions), monsoon-like weather came through for much of the day. There was even a tornado (or two) that touched down a few miles from our conference site!
Check out the next three photos below. I took these photos of the back side of the Sheraton that flooded after the rainstorm!
The tent covers were submerged in rain water and pumps had to be brought in to remove the water.
This is the view of the hotel from the beach ---
to get to the beach we had to trek through ankle deep water!
The opening night reception was suppose to be held in these tent areas but the weather was definitely not cooperative that day!
Even after the glorious Florida sun came out on Friday and Saturday, the sessions continued to be at full capacity. One of my favorite things about this conference is it's "intimate" atmosphere -- this year there were about 580 attendees and presenters. There were at least 6 sessions to choose from for each 3-hour block session.
Dr. Patricia McDaid traveled from Alaska to share her work on culturally relevant practices using the Pyramid Model with the Alaskan communities
A sample of a fun activity at one of the sessions.
This is all about children after all!
As an attendee, this note on the door was not a "welcome" site for some of the sessions.
Good thing there were many more sessions that attendees could choose from!
A comment from an attendee after she attended just her first session, "The session I attended was phenomenal! If it was the only session I could attend, I feel the conference had been worth it!"
The energy throughout the conference was amazing.
One thing that truly makes this a successful conference is the partnerships among the Centers and the national organizations. It is unlike other conferences in that each of the partners have come together to bond on a common commitment to promote children's social and emotional development.
Thank you CSEFEL, TACSEI, DEC, NAEYC, NACCRRA, NABE, NHSA, NASMHPD, PACER Center, ITCA, IDEA 619 Consortium, and NASDSE for showing how collaborations can truly work and produce great outcomes!!
Kudos to Drs. Lise Fox and Mary Louise Hemmeter for leading the charge and to the dedicated DEC Staff -- Sarah, Cynthia, and Natalie for all their hard work!!
Kudos to Drs. Lise Fox and Mary Louise Hemmeter for leading the charge and to the dedicated DEC Staff -- Sarah, Cynthia, and Natalie for all their hard work!!
See you next year in Clearwater Beach!
Mark your calendars today -- March 28-31, 2012!!
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