Friday, May 29, 2009: Briefing at Disneyland Hotel

Friday, May 29, 2009
2009 California Teacher of the Year Trip to Japan Briefing

We all gathered at 9 a.m. in the Frontier Room of the Disneyland Hotel complex with Tamiko Nakamoto, the informal JTB liaison and grant coordinator to discuss the specifics of our trip to Japan on June 27 to July 5. We were joined by Jack Hawkins, president of the California Teachers of the Year Foundation; Connie Blackburn, Vice Chair; and Karen O'Conner, Secretary; Dan Winters from JTB, and Kim Edwards from the Awards Unit

Jose, Alastair, Mark and Lori




Mark did have a photo of one of the twins after all.




Deb Sigman from CDE, Lori, and Alastair


Jose and Mark


Tamiko Nakamoto and Jack Hawkins


Getting the lay of the land with our new maps.

We received a bunch of great tourist material that was very helpful in orienting us to where we will be traveling and what we will be doing.

The three of us from Northern California will be travelling down to Los Angeles where we will all

At the briefing table


Dan from JTB.



Dan demonstrating to Lori how to properly present a business card.




Who's the old guy with the shopping bag?

Thursday, May 28, 2009: Party at Carole Broule's

Thursday, May 26, 2009
Teacher of the Year Gathering at Carole Brouhle's

Wednesday, May 13, 2009: Getting the Call

Wednesday, May 13, 2009
I got a call from Kim Edwards yesterday telling me that approval had been given for me to be a part of the 2009 California Teachers of the Year Trip to Japan, June 27 to July 5.

In my year, 2003, I had been invited to go on the trip when Virginia Avila couldn't go, but I had to turn the opportunity down because I had a commitment to teach at a summer workshop at Columbia university in New York.

Kim sent out this email today.
Good morning Tamiko and Mitzi,
I hope you are doing well and Tamiko, I look forward to seeing you May 29!

Yesterday the final traveler, the teacher replacing Alex Kajitani, was named. He is Jim (James) Jordan, award-winning yearbook and high school English teacher who lives here in Northern California. That makes for three travelers leaving (possibly) from Northern California: Deb Sigman, Mark Teeters, and Jim Jordan.

I will forward the two forms from Jim just as soon as I receive them. He is VERY excited, as his parents met in Tokyo in 1945 and his dream has always been to visit Japan. Jim is the person responsible for the annual "Year in Review" powerpoint that is shown at the dinner. He always does a fabulous job!

Looking forward to seeing you, Tamiko! Dreams G, Dreams Tower, Disneyland Hotel, 9 a.m. - noon, May 29.

Thank you,
Kim

This email was sent out on Wednesday afternoon.

Dear Japan travelers,
Yesterday I was informed that award-winning yearbook coordinator and English teacher Jim Jordan of Del Campo High in the San Juan Unified School District will be traveling to Japan as an official replacement for Alex. Jim was selected at the highest level of this Department in accordance with a waiting list protocol.

You know Jim from the photo/orientation/professional development day held in Sacramento shortly after you were selected. He also coordinated your videos for the February 9 Gala, where he wowed guests with the memorable "Year in Review."

As Alex has already mentioned to you, Deputy Deb Sigman will be the delegation head.

Please join me in congratulating Jim. You will see him at the Japan orientation if not the evening before.

Kim