President's Welcome Message
Welcome to SCTE’s new website. I have come kicking and screaming into the web-world, but now I am convinced it is totally necessary for SCTE to have a bigger presence on the web. In this California world where professional-development hours are no longer required to renew our credentials, I find that I want SCTE to be more than it has ever been before. Our Fall Conference and Spring Fling are still essential, but I am the kind of person who likes to meet up with like-minded people as often as possible. I think a bunch of activity options during the year are better than just two.
SCTE is hoping to offer more activities than ever this year. I would like to add a community-service component for interested members. I think when a group of committed English teachers gets together, we can accomplish miracles. We could adopt some schools and build some literary gardens; we could paint a mural on a dilapidated library wall; we could find some after-school- program places that need updating and fix them up. While we are working, we can be gabbing about school issues, but we would be giving back while making friends; those who can, can whistle while they work.
We are also hoping to invite members to come up with activities they would like to share with other members. Someone might have a Christmas decoration-making party and lunch. Other members would pay for their lunch and supplies and add a ten dollar donation which would go toward our community-service projects or our scholarship fund. Wouldn’t it be fun to host a carwash party, an Easter egg painting party or…the possibilities are endless. And again, English teachers are perfectly capable of talking about all kinds of classroom issues and ideas as they work.
And please remember, when you are a member of SCTE, you are also a member of CATE. CATE’s February convention is not to be missed, and California English is an award-winning journal full of inspirational articles. If you are a long-time member, become even more involved; if you are new to SCTE/CATE, give us a try. We will try really hard not to disappoint.
Feel free to contact me anytime at or at (562) 436-5759.