Congratulations to Carole LeCren and her fine CATE 2003 convention committee for the splendid work on CATE 2003 in Palm Springs. The outstanding speakers, the informative workshops, the delicious meals….all combined to make a professionally enriching and personally rewarding experience for those who attended.

What an honor for me to present awards to California teachers! It’s just one of the joys of presiding at CATE Annual Conventions, where we set aside time at each general session and convention meal event to announce the awards and to read excerpts from letters written about the recipients. Please take time to view the photo journal our webmaster, Larry Jordan, publishes at CATEweb.org for a glimpse of the convention people, places, and events.

I’ve chosen to use this column to share with you the names of those who received the acknowledgements of fine service during the CATE 2003 Convention and to invite you to consider nominating through your local council one your colleagues to receive such honor next year in San Diego at CATE 2004. Each year, the councils nominate educators in a designated category for the Classroom Excellence Awards.

Award of Merit Winners 2003 for an individual and a community organization who support English/language arts education
Frank Castner, Librarian, Palm Springs High School, Palm Springs
Price Foundation Charities, Scholarships for students and programs for teachers, San Diego

Classroom Excellence Awards for 2003 for outstanding work in their schools
Kathy Allen, Palos Verdes Intermediate School (retired), Palos Verdes
Diane Barilone, Fitzgerald Elementary School, Rialto
Janice Boles, Jefferson Elementary School, Lindsay
Norleen Clark, Thompson Junior High School, Bakersfield
Mary Crowlie, Citrus Elementary School, Chico
Minnia Curtis, Carlsbad High School, Carlsbad
Marlin Roehl, El Diamante and Mt. Whitney High Schools, Visalia
Pauline Sahakian, Clovis High School, Clovis
Bob Sizoo, Humboldt State University, Arcata
Gary Thomas, Turlock Junior High School, Turlock

Distinguished Service Award Winner 2003 for long-term service at the local, state, and national level
Robin Briscoe Luby, Grossmont High School, San Diego

Virginia Reid Scholarship Recipient 2003 for novice elementary school teachers.
Jabari Anderson, E. Morris Cox Elementary School, Oakland

Kyoko Sato, of California State University, Northridge is a candidate for Vice President of NCTE. We urge you to vote for her, not just because she’s a former CATE Executive Board member, but also because she’s a fine woman, a dedicated teacher of teachers, and an articulate person who will be our voice at the national level.

CATE friends and colleagues, the school year is winding down for many of us, and we recognize that there still is much to do. We are professionals; we can make it. But we don’t have to make it alone if we take the time to share the good times and the good ideas. I urge you to maintain your contact with CATE through active participation in the events and publications of your local councils. We are here to serve you, in person and electronically at CATEweb.org and CATENet.

Oscar Browne, our current convention chair already has begun work on next year’s event and I invite you now to attend CATE 2004 in San Diego – even if you have to help pay the expenses yourself! Do as our parents did to prepare for Christmas. Start a CATE Convention Savings Account! Yes, with automatic withdrawals from your paycheck, you won’t have to worry or wonder whether or not you’ll be set for the February 2004 event. And, just the anticipation of being there will keep your spirits up until it’s time to gather at the Town and Country Convention Center to meet and greet English/language arts teachers and teachers of teachers who are dedicated to improving their skills and maintaining their enthusiasm through interaction with like minded professionals.