Welcome Message

Dear ETC Delegate:

Welcome delegates to the 17th annual EARCOS Teachers’ Conference here at the International School Bangkok. It is a bittersweet time as we will be without our guide and mentor for the past sixteen conferences, Dr. K., who passed away last month from heart failure due to complications of pneumonia. We will miss his steadying hand, his boundless energy, his electric smile, and everything else about him, but we will also celebrate his legacy and pay tribute to the man who was the face of EARCOS.

This conference will offer over 160 workshops in the areas of PE, Wellness, the Visual and Performing Arts, and Technology and showcase three outstanding leaders in three of these areas in our keynote sessions. Greg Dale is currently a professor at Duke University and Director of the Sport Psychology and Leadership Programs for Duke Athletics. He will keynote the opening day of our conference. Peter Boonshaft, celebrated music educator, conductor, and author and currently Professor of Music at Hofstra university will start us off on the right foot on day two. Dr. Marilyn Stewart, Emerita Professor of Art Education at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and a member of the writing team for the National Visual Arts Standards will kick off day three for us.

The EARCOS Teacher Advisory Committee led by Chris Bell selected the Hug Project as this year’s charity recipient. This non-profit organization assists victims of child trafficking.

Our sincere thanks go out to the staff here at ISB for their great support in preparation for and during the conference along with the ETC Advisory Committee and all our Teacher Reps. Thanks also to the daily efforts of our dedicated EARCOS staff, Giselle, Elaine, Ver, Robert, Edzel, RJ, and Rodz.

Finally, it is our hope that in your time here you will make new friends, renew old friendships embrace challenges from our presenters and enjoy the ISB hospitality. Please visit our exhibitors in the Elementary AC Gym and let them know that we appreciate their sponsorship.

Please have an enjoyable and professionally stimulating three days here at ISB.

Bill Oldread and the EARCOS team.