Anna_Roseboro CATE President

Thank you so much for the confidence you've expressed in me to serve as President of the California Association of Teachers of English. I count it a privilege to be able to spend these next two years working with a board of talented professionals who are committed to helping to make your job as a language arts teacher both fulfilling and effective. I look forward, during my tenure, to attending an event sponsored by each of the councils where I'll have the opportunity to meet and greet you personally and to encourage you, to support you, and to share with you ways that you can depend on CATE to provide the assistance you need to help you fulfill your dreams of becoming the best educator you can be in whatever setting you find yourself.

For many of you, this is the end of the school year and as you reflect on the time you've spent with your students, you may wonder whether or not you've done all you could do to prepare your students for the myriad of challenges that lie ahead of them. I can assure you that your efforts have not been in vain. I was reminded of this fact when I read these thoughts from a little book entitled hugs for teachers.

"Like rippling rings on a pond, your encouraging words, your positive reinforcements, and your assuring smiles are all going places. Places that thirst for these things, places you could never go yourself, into lives you'll never get to meet.

"But really, you want it this way. It's the way it was for you. You yourself are a ring from someone else's splashing rock. Like branches of shade, your effort doesn't stop here. It goes on to cool other souls. Like you, it will reach out, comfort, shelter, and accept.

"None of it stops with you. It started with you, but it won't stop there. Not by a long shot.

"Your students will carry your gifts away. Your kind words, your pure passions, and your guiding light will be passed out by them like bread to the hungry.

" They will take your humble light and set off diamonds in the sky. There will be fireworks in the future. People will gasp at their dazzling display, delight in their shimmering brilliance - all ablaze from your one tiny spark.

"Oh no, dear teacher. It doesn't stop here."

So, my colleague, take heart. Someone is a better person for having spent time in your classroom. Now that you may have a little more time for yourself, you'll be able to take advantage of one benefit of CATE membership - this journal that comes out five times a year. You'll discover ways that other educators implement the values articulated in "The Core Values of the California Association of Teachers of English," which affirms that "CATE believes that literature kindles the imagination" and "we want to assure that a multitude of voices and perspectives are heard."

Speaking of voices, on behalf of the Board, I invite you to add yours to those of your colleagues who'll be presenting workshops at our annual convention next February. Carol LeCren, Chair of CATE Convention 2002, has chosen the theme, "Valuing the Voice of the Classroom Teacher" as a springboard to highlight professionals whose education and experience, intellect and insight help to make the classroom experiences of young people in our state so special. We urge you join the chorus of presenters to be featured when educators gather in Palm Springs. You'll find information here in the journal on how to submit a workshop proposal. To show you how valuable your voice is to the rest of us, the Board has arranged for the lead presenter on the proposal to receive complimentary registration.

As you plan your time of refreshment and rejuvenation, remember that "It is a luxury to learn, but the luxury of learning is not to be compared with the luxury of teaching." Bask in this fact; revel in the knowledge that you are valuable member of the profession of the highest calling; you are valuable to our society not just because you're a teacher, but because you are a teacher of the language arts.

Anna J. Small Roseboro