Fall 2009

Successful Summer Workshops
By Elyse Rethlake, MLRC Summer Assistant

This past summer, 344 of you – daytime caregivers and child educators – accepted the challenge and attended a S.M.A.R.T. workshop.  You lugged the heavy manuals and curriculum guides to and from cars and hotel rooms; you battled for elbow space at crowded tables; you hoped the coffee wouldn’t run out and that today’s lunch would be as tasty as yesterday’s.  You squinted at Power Point presentations and attempted to process the information while visualizing the implementation of the program into your classroom.  You came from North Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Delaware, South Dakota and as far away as Bermuda.  You cut, taped, and brainstormed your way to a S.M.A.R.T. classroom with Make & Take Activities.  Most importantly, you made a significant effort to improve children’s lives.  Your hard work will dramatically help your students by giving them motivation and allowing them to develop the skills they need to lead a better, more productive life.  All students, particularly those who are struggling to learn, will have a greater opportunity to achieve their goals.  Remember!  Do not be discouraged when 80 hours of Core Activities seems insurmountable; you are already helping by receiving the training and extending that awareness into your classroom.  Though they may not realize it now, your students will be forever grateful.