October 13-16 Seminar in DC

Dinner at Top of the Town with an amazing vista of the DC monuments

I arrived in DC on Wednesday afternoon and met the other participants involved in the seminar planned for Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and the US.  On Wednesday night we all met for a welcome dinner at the Top of the Town.  This is where I met the two Brazilian principals whom I would host for the next few weeks.  Maria da Conceicao Fererreia, an elementary principal from Acre, Brazil and Amim Costa Haddad, a high school principal from Amazonas, Brazil will both spend time with school administrators and visit Catoosa County, Georgia schools over the next few weeks.

On Thursday Jose Vieira de Sousa, the Team Leader for the Brazil delegation gave the US administrators an overview of the education system of Brazil.  His presentation was very informative and gave me the background I certainly needed to be able to get the most of the rest of the seminar.  Jose, who is also visiting New Jersey, will be coming to Chattanooga the last half of the exchange.

On Thursday night we were treated to a night bus tour of the DC monuments and then were on our own for dinner and exploring the city.  I went to a La Tasca for tapas with some of my new US and Brazilian friends for a fun evening. (Jose Vieira de Sousa, Brazilian team leader, is 2nd from right in the picture above.)

The White House is "Pink" to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Week

One of the highlights of the seminar was a presentation by Mel Riddile, Associate Director of High School Service, National Association of Secondary School Principals.  Mr. Riddile is a former High School Principal of the Year who spoke about putting good ideas into practice by designing and implementing "smart solutions".

Mel Riddile's presentation

Before coming to DC, I had been asked to assemble information about the ways my school system uses volunteers and works with the community.  During an afternoon session on Friday all of the US principals gave ideas to the international principals during a gallery walk style Community and Volunteerism Fair.  This session proved to be a popular one for the international principals.  I am proud of the work the schools in Catoosa  County do and enjoyed talking about my system to others.

Showing my presentation to Jose

Some other shots of the seminar:

Mary Beth Pelosky, principal of Nottingham Elementary in Arlington, VA with her school's presentation.

Planning for the next 2 weeks.

Getting to know each other at the seminar

Finally, on Friday night the American Council for International Education hosted all of us at their headquarters for a reception.  There was lots of good food, dancing, singing and enjoying each other on  our last night in DC.

Fun at the reception

Some of the Brazilian delegation showed off a few salsa dance steps.

Amim, Conceicao and I flew back to Chattanooga on Saturday afternoon.  I had gift baskets with Chattanooga items waiting on them when they checked into their hotel.   At the hotel we met our translator, Junia Brenner, who will be with us during the entire visit.  Later on Saturday we did a walking tour of Chattanooga and had dinner at Lupi's downtown.

Lunch at Chili's in the airport.

Gift baskets with items from the region.

On the riverfront of Chattanooga.

This exchange is off to a terrific start.  I am really looking forward to the next few weeks.