Welcome Message

Welcome Message from the EARCOS Executive Director

Dear ETC Delegates:

Welcome to the EARCOS Teachers’ Conference (ETC) 2013 at Concordia International School Shanghai (CISS). We would like to thank Gregg Pinnick and the CISS staff for the use of their great campus. Steve Nurre and Curt Larson were so valuable with onsite support. Thanks to Kerry Jacobson and Andy Torris of Shanghai American School for hosting the PE pre-conference with over 100 participants. It has been a cooperative effort on the part of both schools and we applaud their effort.

This is the second time in ETC’s eleven-year history that it is being hosted on a school campus. The campus setting has enabled us to provide more intense coverage in specialty areas of physical education, performing and visual arts, technology, and counseling.(We also have 20 University admissions officers attending a pre conference. A school setting holds costs in check but also allows for quality professional development.

This ETC offers three excellent keynote presenters in Liv Arnesen, Michael Furdyk, and Zoe Weil. (Jean Blaydes is the keynote presenter for the PE pre conference.) We have 8 preconference offerings, and 93 workshop sessions geared to meet our teachers’ needs. In addition, our job-a-like sessions will provide an opportunity for teachers to meet with their colleagues who work in similar areas. ETC will also include a record number of 95 teacher presenter workshop sessions, which are always practical and well-presented. Please support your fellow teachers and try to attend as many of these as possible. Student talent will again be highlighted at our general sessions with CISS and Shanghai Community International School music performances as well as the winners in the Shanghai Asian Film festival. EARCOS has great talent so join us in supporting our students and please be on time for each general session. SAS Teacher reps and schools have chosen the “Baobei foundation” as the charity ETC will support this year.

Thanks to all our ETC teacher representatives who have spent many hours assisting their teachers with workshops, registration for the conference, and hotel and transportation arrangements. Without their dedication it would be impossible to host our conference the way we do. Thanks to our EARCOS staff members who have worked endless hours to assist with the many details and logistics. The contributions of Elaine, Vitz, Ver, Edzel, and Robert with their attention to detail is commendable. Our Assistant Director Bill Oldread has been invaluable in the planning.

Finally, it is always my hope that our delegates make new contacts, be challenged by our presenters, renew friendships, and enjoy our hospitality. Visit our exhibitors and let them know that we appreciate their sponsorship that helps us provide the best professional development possible. I’m proud and happy to be the director of this wonderful organization.

Dick Krajczar and the EARCOS team.

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