End of the school year does not necessarily mean vacation

So, the school year ended, and my summer "vacation" has started.  Anyone who knows me knows that for the past couple of years, the summer has meant planning for the next school year.  This year is not much different.

I'm the Local area coordinator for the NSTA Portland Area Conference.  That event is happening in October, and I spent the first weekend working with my committee to get some strings tied up and sent on to NSTA so they could complete the conference webpage.

I was also called to Jury duty the first two days of my "vacation."  I was selected for a criminal case the first day, but spent most of the time in the jury room waiting while there were some negotiations going on.  In the end, the defendant plead out and we were sent back to the jury pool shortly before lunch.  As the lunch break neared, they called a list of names to report back that day.  I was not on that list and was dismissed for the day.  I had completed my jury duty.

My colleagues Susan (l) and Moe (r)

But wait! There's more!  On Wednesday of that first week, I traveled with my long-time friend and colleague, Moe, to the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators Annual Princpals conference in Seaside.  There, we staffed the OSTA booth, handing out information and talking to administrators about the Next Generation Science Standards that will be adopted by Oregon by the end of the year.  I also gave a session along with my President-Elect, Susan, which was well attended.  I was very proud to represent and advocate for Oregon's science teachers.

Coming back from the conference, I then started in on completing the first advanced chemistry unit materials in order to take them in to the print shop to ensure they would be ready for the beginning of school.  There is nothing more irritating to me than standing in front of a copy machine.  It has to be the biggest waste of my time.  So I do everything I can to be able to get it out to the people who are there to do it for me.  Monday it was in!

I had the opportunity to represent and advocate for Oregon's science teachers again at the STEAM forum hosted by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici.  She is on the Science, Space, and Technology committee in congress and is the lead for their STEAM Caucus.  I'm not sure what will come of this, but I was honored to have been invited, and made a point to let them know to call on OSTA if we can be of service to them regarding science education in Oregon.

After that meeting, I high-tailed it out to the beach to be with George and our friends, Lynn & Steve.  It was nice to have some fun that was not related to work.  We will be vacationing with Lynn & Steve starting July 21 when we all arrive in Boston.

My next opportunity to represent Oregon's Science teachers will be at the National Congress on Science Education July 17-20 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  During that time, I will be working with my President-elect on OSTA business and networking with our colleagues from all over the US and Canada.

After that, the real vacation begins, with my sweetie, when we meet up in Boston.  Stay tuned...