On tap for June

A couple of years ago, I got smart and started submitting very similar session proposals to the state school library and ed tech conferences we have here each June. It has worked out well -- given the mad rush at the end of the year, I can do the prep work for both at once, and enjoy the conferences a little bit more. In past years, I’ve talked about Google's "reading suite," next gen read/write web tools, and digitized primary sources. This year, it’s global learning resources for “around the world in thirty sites.” I presented it today at ASLA and I'll reprise it again for AETC on Wednesday, June  4.

The conference today was terrific -- probably the best ASLA I can remember. The highlight was Tommy Bice, our state superintendent, mentioning having read Beautiful Ruins and The Goldfinch over the last couple of weeks, then talking about building support for school libraries with legislators, in part by writing up a document outlining how libraries contribute to learning to be adopted by the state board.

I was also the grateful recipient of a doctoral scholarship from ASLA. I mentioned my recent volte-face about Macs. I Around the same time, I completely changed my attitude about applying for scholarships and fellowships, particularly for smaller amounts. I read a very persuasive piece somewhere arguing that is a cumulative record of earning funding, beginning with small amounts, that counts in substantiating a record of successful financial support. So I steeled myself to apply and got funding from this professional organization and also UNT this summer. And I feel real gratitude for the $500 towards my never-ending doctoral expenses. It will defray a surprise semester’s tuition, as I have to be registered this summer to file my graduation papers with the graduate school. And I have a date for my dissertation defense -- June 20.