“Things are difficult before they are easy” is a quotation I wrote on a card and put on the music rack when my children were taking piano lessons. Inevitably my daughter and two sons complained about how hard their assignment was the day they returned from meeting with their teacher, but before the next lesson, if they had practiced diligently, the three of them usually were bragging that the piece was a cinch. We professional educators are having difficult times now, and sometimes we feel overwhelmed and find it difficult to stay vigilant and remain diligent to the tasks set before us. Yes, we know things become easier to handle when we step back and look at them from various perspectives and then tackle them systematically. We recognize that just as my children had little control over the musical scores their piano instructor assigned, few of us have much control over the assignments our administrators pass along to us. When we look at the situation objectively, we acknowledge that they have difficult challenges themselves trying to meet the goals of the No Child Left Behind legislation. A cartoon I saw in a 1990 NCTE Notes Plus publication reminded me of our common struggle to be responsible educators. The cartoon caption says, “I expect you all to be independent, innovative, critical thinkers who will do exactly as I say.” While none of us can be comfortable with such a conundrum, we can adapt to the constraints that may confound us, but that never will bind us. We can maintain our optimism as educators – with a little help from our friends – in CATE.

It is because of the optimum and enthusiasm of such CATE officers as Membership Chair, Chiyo Masuda, who died this spring, that many of us are encouraged to remain diligent in our roles as members of the Executive Board and leaders in our local councils. Chiyo epitomized the dedication of our veteran teachers who generously share their experience – even after they retire from the classroom. We shall miss her warm smile and wry humor. Chiyo has left us a legacy and a challenge.

When I began my tenure as your president two years ago, I wrote in my President’s Perspective that CATE is for YOU. I end my time as your president persuaded that your Executive Board and local councils’ efforts prove this to be true. CATE is here to listen and to serve. Many of you have taken advantage of the electronic media on CATEweb, CATENet, and e-mail to learn about, comment upon, and respond to us who serve on the Executive Board of Directors. A number of you have faithfully attended your local conferences and workshops, and made your way to the CATE conventions in Palm Springs and San Diego – even when you’ve had to spend your own money to do so. You recognize that, even without the generous budgets you used to tap to fund professional growth opportunities for you and your colleagues, it is important to stay connected with other professionals. We thank you for your confidence and for your support.

We are delighted to see that despite the reduced resources, you continue your generosity to the profession by offering to share your talents, experience, and enthusiasm with your colleagues in a variety of ways. Carol Jago, our California English editor, reports that she regularly receives many more fine manuscripts than she can publish in each issue. This quality obviously helped CATE earn an NCTE Award for Affiliate Journals last year, and also helps to keep you informed about best practices, upcoming events, and new resources available to enhance your teaching and expand your professional libraries. Don Mayfield, who has served as program chair of the CATE convention committee, informs us that he too has had a bountiful array of workshop and session proposals from which to choose when scheduling workshop sessions each year. Cheryl Joseph, Program Chair for CATE 2005 fully expects this trend to continue.

Our local council presidents tell us that you have responded positively to their collaborations and innovations. The northern councils joined together to present the Napa Conference designed to bring nationally renowned educators and presenters to CATE members in more remote areas of (Redwood), Teisha Hase (Upper), Angus Dunstan (Capitol) and Charleen Delfino (Central), exhibit the camaraderie and strength that comes from working together. The Southland Council, under the leadership of Catherine Linn, scheduled round tables in various locales throughout their vast geographical region, and Central Council has taken its programs to the teacher education programs in their local colleges. The Inland Councils, TUCATE (Carol Surabian, President) and FACET (Jeannie Oppliger, President) continue to hold the Yosemite Conference for educators in that region of the state. And TUCATE instituted a series of afternoon teacher institutes to reach out to educators in Tulare County. The Greater San Diego Council, host council for CATE 2004, held a dinner with author, lê thi diem thúy (The Gangster We Are All Looking For) in lieu of its annual Promising Practices conference. All of the councils have made conscientious efforts to reach out to and provide support for new teachers in their regions.

CATE is working with the California Writing Project, under the leadership of Jayne Marlink and her executive board, and we have begun a joint effort to hold not just a writing project pre-conference, but also to offer a full CWP strand during the main CATE convention. Further collaborative efforts continue in the work of the California Young Reader Medal Committee, comprised of representatives from CATE, the California Reading Association, the California School Librarians Association, and California Library Association. These cooperative projects enrich us all. I encourage you to check the CATE website to stay up to date on events in your area and throughout the state. Our NCTE Award Winning Webmaster, Larry Jordan, does an outstanding job keeping the information current and presented attractively.

Maureen Rippee, your incoming President, is just the person to guide us in the coming years. She is a devoted teacher and skillful leader committed to setting the course through the difficult times that lie ahead. And she and the other recently elected officers, that include Akiko Morimoto, re-elected as Vice-President; Oscar Browne, elected Member-at-Large, Unspecified; Jaimi Kreilart, Member-at-Large, Secondary; and Kathy Allen, re-elected Member-at-Large, Elementary, will need your support. I’m pleased that I will remain on this hard working board as I move from the presidency, taking on the responsibilities of past-president and being in a position to assist the co-chairs of CATE 2005. Michelle Berry and Linda Stockton are working diligently on the annual convention, to which they have given the theme “The Power of One Teacher. Yes, we realize that none of us can navigate those difficult roads alone; our journey is easier with the fuel of friendships. CATE strives to provide that circle of comrades for each of you. We invite you to visit our website, CATEweb.org, regularly, for up to date information and to begin planning now to attend CATE 2005 next February at the Santa Clara Convention where you can expand your circle of friends.