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May/Jun 2024 | Vol. 81 No. 3

To an Optimistic Future...

By Dr. Debbie LeBlanc

2022-2024 International President

pring is one of my favorite
Stimes of the year. It
signals new beginnings, new
growth, and a refreshing
hopefulness for what is to
come. This is also the time of

year when many of our working
educators will begin their final weeks of the school
year. We have said it many times in many ways: Our
teachers, no matter if they’re working in schools for
all ages, churches, businesses, hospitals, or other non-
traditional educational settings, need our help now ears, sounding boards, mentors, guides, you name
more than ever. There is plenty for us as DKG members it—we are the perfect group of women to provide this

to do. Now is the time to meet with local school leaders support. Stuck for ideas? Come to the international
as they plan for the 2024–2025 school year. Let convention in July, where multiple sessions are
them know that members are available for providing devoted to these very topics.
professional development, assistance in setting up Speaking of the convention, members of the
classrooms, mentoring, tutoring within the school day, steering committee recently visited the Gaylord
and more. Frankly, the ideas are endless. But we must National Resort at National Harbor, Maryland, for
strike now while the iron is hot and administrators are a final walk-through in preparation for the 2024
grappling with the question, “How are we going to be International Convention. As expected, the trip did not
able to do all of this?” disappoint. Our planning meetings were supported

As expectations of teachers continue to rise, by the gracious and informative on-site senior event
teacher retention is falling. DKG members can truly be managers. We finalized room locations for the dinners
that light at the end of the tunnel—a light of ongoing and celebrations, General Sessions, Marketplace,
professionalism, support, and friendship that is and workshops as well as exceptional ideas for food
desperately needed across our world. Remember that options at our meal events. Each day holds something
SEE (Supporting Early-career Educators) is one of the new and exciting for all members. It is important that
Society’s two international initiatives. Let’s take a look members register before the deadline of June 9, 2024,

at our state organization and chapter goals and see because, after that, registration fees will increase by
where these activities could be supported. In addition, 50% (as dictated by our governing documents). Note
I would be remiss if I did not remind all of us of the also that there will be NO registration on site. The
enormous opportunities to support our collegiate absolute final deadline for registrations is July 2,
members who, despite dismal forecasts and a sense 2024. Log on to the DKG website for complete details.
of doom and gloom from some (not me!), are preparing Remember, your attendance provides the privilege
to enter the teaching profession! We can be their eyes, of voice and vote at all general See PRES p.3

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