Four Tuesday Themes

So I didn't actually set foot in Rhode Island, but did drive through it again on my way to Hartford, CT. this afternoon. Four interesting themes to this day.

1. A woman at today's seminar told me she had to jump through hoops to attend. She submitted her paperwork indicating that she would pay for the seminar out of her own pocket ,but her principal did not want to pay for her substitute. He finally relented. She said that this principal actually makes notes of when BER seminars are in town and has actually threatened to fire any teacher who takes a sick or personal day on the day of a BER seminar! I know we are in serious economic times, but this administrator's attitude is galling! Punish a teacher for wanting to pay her own money to learn new techniques to help her become a better teacher and better serve her students???????

2. I had my first Portuguese teachers at a seminar today. Two of them!

3. NO ONE said it was too cold! NO ONE was crabby! Well, no one was crabby about the seminar, but many were crabby because there were no pastries or bagels. BER has eliminated them as one of many cost cutting strategies as states and districts have vastly reduced funds for inservice education. Taking food away from teachers, however, is a dangerous thing to do!

4. As we approached the hotel entrance I noticed a very tall tower that looks someting like a prison with tiny windows. It's not a prison. It's the Otis Elevator Research Facility...and the 3rd tallest building in Connecticut! Sounds like just the sort of place that the Kosnik family would visit on vacation! Within five miles of this location are also the following incredible sights: The New England Carousel Museum, the American Clock and Watch Museum, and the Lock Museum of America! So many museums, so little time!