Thank you Rebecca Herzog for hosting Poetry Friday!
I felt exhilarated, but a bit like a fish out of water here in Baltimore at the NCTE conference that began this morning. I’d attended many writer’s conferences, but never a conference for thousands of English teachers.
However, it must be common to feel a bit lost, because at registration, I was given a yellow ribbon for my name tag: First Time Attendee. I stuck it on my name tag and began to tackle the inch thick catalogue of events.
My situation, a writer new to NCTE, is not a hardship, though the unease of being new is universal. All new folks appreciate being welcomed, as I certainly felt here today in Baltimore. Here’s a haiku to celebrate the day:
NCTE
First time attendee
wearing a yellow ribbon–
conference courage.
Conference courage, I love it! Hope you have a fun time. 🙂
My times at NCTE are favorite memories. Wishing you a marvelous “first time”!
Enjoy your experience at NCTE. I never took the opportunity to go, but it looks incredible!
I hope that you’re having a marvelous time! It sounds wonderful.
Hooray! I hope you’ve learned and had lots of fun. There are lots of Poetry Friday people there. I also hope you’ve met many and enjoyed their company.
How exciting to be at NCTE. Enjoy every moment.
Attending NCTE is high on my wish list! Lucky you to do so. I remember when I attended the ILA conference in Boston and how intimidating it all was. I’m sure your “conference courage” served you well, and I hope you had a wonderful time!
I wish I was there, Janice! We could have been first time attendees together. 🙂
I’m sure it is overwhelming! I’ve never been to NCTE but I’ve been to IRA (now ILA) which I don’t think is even as big. It’s SO cool and fun, though, to be around all those teachers and writers. Hope you’ve had a fabulous time!