I want to thank all the example lesson teachers, session presenters, panelists, and participants for a WONDERFUL Mid-year Conference. There was amazing feedback from JTEs, as well. If you would like any of the materials from the sessions or presentations, please contact me directly for copies.

Our guest presenters were even impressed and complimentary about the conference – I am elated and proud at the impression that you all made and cannot express my gratitude enough.

If you would like to read some of the great things said about you and see the official plug for next year, please make with the clickie!

From Bob Juppe (our keynote speaker), Tsukuba Gakuin University

"I cannot express what a delightful time I had as both speaker and participant. The JETs were so wonderfully approachable and congenial (on the final night, five of them invited me to have a beer before I left for Echigoyuzawa!!! Just the fact that they did that impressed me to no end.) The schedule was run beautifully, and planned extremely well. The diversity of the workshops was appealing; I am sure that the ALTs could find something interesting among the wide selection, whose offerings definitely reflected the deep experience and expertise of the teachers."

You guys rock. Thank you everyone for making this year a success!

If you still have Lesson Plan Wish lists – send them to me, it’s not too late! If didn’t get the chance to wander through the gallery, let me know and we’ll set up a time for you to come look at it or for me to bring it to you.

If you CD was a bust - let me know and I'll send you the information immediately.

Now here's my plug for next year:

Mid-year conference is only as good as the volunteers who work it. The people who presented great sessions worked their tails off. Those people may or may not be here next year. Keep in mind that presenting sessions like these are excellent resume builder and well as personal development builders. If you are interested in creating a goal for yourself, think about what you could present at Mid-year Conference, or Orientation for that matter, that would be for your own personal career development.

If you weren't so fond of the way something was presented this year - take it over and make it your own for the next seminar. Make suggestions for new content. All of us are educated, intelligent individuals with expertise in a certain field. Apply what you know to life here in Japan and help provide insight in a professional capacity to your peers. That is what mid-year is about, mentoring and development of our ALT community by the community.

Again, that said, in addition to peer development, we will try to have equally fabulous professionals come to speak. If you have suggestions for main speakers or presenters, at anytime during the year, please send them in. We have a few in mind already - but Muko-sensei and I would GREATLY appreciate your input. If we know what you want, we can try to make that happen.

You all are my heroes. Thank you everyone!

-Tonya