Beta Nu Chapter members at TSO 92nd State Convention
The Delta Gamma Society International’s (DKG) Texas State Organization 92nd State Convention was held June 16-19, 2021, at the Denton Convention Center, Denton Texas. Two Beta Nu Chapter members attended: Beta Nu Chapter President Letitia Estep and Parliamentarian Phyllis Macmillan. In Marlin, Beta Nu Chapter (of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International) was organized November 2, 1935, by Founder and Alpha State Executive Secretary, Dr. Annie Webb Blanton. Beta Nu Chapter includes five counties: Falls, Milam, Robertson, Leon and Madison,
The DKG Society has withstood the test of changing times, professionally, politically, sociologically, generationally, economically, and spiritually. That is important because its sole mission is to promote professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. That is, DKG makes a difference in the lives of educators and the lives of their students; its vision is leading women educators impacting education worldwide. It remains persistent in its mission and vision.
The Opening Session of the 92nd Texas State Organization Convention began on June 16 at 7 p.m. Welcome from Denton was given by Gerard Hudspeth, Mayor of Denton and Dr. Carline Feyton, Chancellor and President of Texas Women’s University. Complex yet meticulously organized sessions were presented before and after the TSO Business Meeting: Executive Board and General Assembly on Friday, June 18.
For the profession of educators, Tim Lee, Executive Director of TRTA, spoke “about the national issues of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) which mpact members who have worked under TRS and Social Security.” (92nd Texas State Organization Convention Program, p.19) With the upcoming year being a Legislative year for Texas, Tim outlined the issues of importance to members especially TRS Care, the health care program. Members were encouraged to be prepared to contact their respective representatives when necessary.
Six-hundred and seventy-four members (active or retired educators from pre-school to university levels) participated in sessions to learn. The concept of multi-dimensionality of leadership skills states that all members are critical to the success of an organization. In a breakout session “Lead from the Heart”, by Cynthia Moore, DKG International (virtual Canada) the emphasis was on leaders coaching others in the organization to do their personal nest, also to listen to colleagues’ views and direct their organization on a realistic path to excellence in the uncertain future.
There were 87 breakout sessions. They ranged from “What’s Trending with Kids Today; A Look at Alcohol and Other Drugs Tempting our Kids” to teaching strategies such as Think-Pair-Share, Socratic Seminar, 4 Corners, and Classroom Discussions and how to do them in both virtual and in-person classrooms and how to use other tools to create collaboration in the COVID classroom. There was a session, “The Journey on the Road of Grief” and yet another “It’s Not Hard to be a Global Educator.” Educators, retired or not, benefitted from “A Laugh a Day Keeps Anxieties Way” or “Savor the Similarities and Differences Among the Generations” by Dr. Karen Duke.
In ‘Texas Lesson Study: Where Every Lesson Needs a Storyline and Operation’ participants looked at the instructional design of Texas Lesson Study and examined the impact lesson study has for administrators, teachers, and students. Teachers learned the process, five resources available via the Texas Gateway, and the impact of inquiry-based research in job-imbedded professional development.
Session “Using the Science of Reading to Improve Student Success” provided “research evidence of how children learn to read and the most effective ways to teach them, how the components and principles of structured literacy follow the research and can improve student success.” (92nd State Texas Organization Convention program, p.57)
For Assessments for Secondary Students, there was “How Students Want to be Assessed!” The objective of this session was to provide educators with tools and strategies for creating engaging, quick, and easy formative assessments in the classroom to support both in-person and virtual learners. “Time Management Tools for Today’s Leaders” and “The Glass Classroom: Dr. Maria Montessori phenomenon” engaged hundreds of participants.
There were Member in Print Awards, Media Awards 2021, Scholarships Awards, Chapter Spotlight Programs and Service Projects, and Five-Star Newsletters 2021 recognition, and more.
A tour of the Visual Arts Gallery provided an insight into the development of art skills in the academic system. Meanwhile, vendors in a centrally located marketplace within the convention hall provided DKG emblems, blouses, bags, pins, candles, napkins, cups, and a myriad of other home crafted wares. There was a First Aid Section and a Volunteer for DKG 2021 International Convention in San Antonio sign-up table.
“2020-2021 has been like no other. For the first time, a state convention was NOT held, and we were all introduced to a phenomenon known as COVID-19. Even today, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our lives. Through it all, members of the Alpha State Texas Educational Foundation (ASTEF) Board of Directors continued to work in partnership with TSO to encourage projects and activities designed to benefit education and educators in Texas. Funds managed by ASTEF continue to support projects, scholarships, grants for aspiring educators as well as leadership training events for DKG members, impacting thousands of educators and students across the state.” (92nd Texas State Organization Convention program, p.47) ASTEF celebrated its 10th Anniversary at the convention.
The Presidents and Founders’ Banquet was held on Friday, June 18, at 7 p.m. It featured the installation of 2021-2023 Elected State Personnel and the Texas State Chorus. The finale at the Presidents’ and Founders’ Banquet was The Delta Kappa Gamma Song, words by Founders Dr. Anne Webb and Cora M. Martin and music by L.M. Fox. Every member stood, held hands in a continuous chain and sang the heartfelt words.
A Celebration of Life and Remembrance was held on Saturday, June 19, at 8:30-9:30 a.m. The celebration of a person’s life recalled the persons now gone who have left us with wonderful memories. The women honored at The Celebration of Life and Remembrance lived a full life as professionals and as members of Delta Kappa Gamma. They were educators who changed the lives of the children, parents and professionals with whom they came in contact.
Members of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International look forward to participation in the DKG Society International Conference which will be held July 21-24 in San Antonio, Texas.