It is hard to imagine that most schools are into the first six weeks of classes; I hope that those special challenges associated with the opening of school were manageable and that you are finding the new school year to be rich with positive experiences.

The opening of school always presents many new and exciting experiences for new teachers and those who are returning to a given teaching field after an absence. In order to address issues and questions common for home economics teachers who fit the categories of "new" or "returning" (returning to a home economics assignment following an absence from teaching or a period of teaching outside the home economics discipline), an intensive training conference has been scheduled for October 8-9. This conference, to be conducted in Austin, will focus on issues related to program philosophy, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Home Economics Education, effective instruction, curriculum, instructional resources, management, funding, reporting, Future Homemakers of America activities, State Board of Education policies, and the implementation of education initiatives (career concentrations, coherent sequences of courses, integration of academic skills, and Tech Prep) through home economics education. Home economics instruction at the middle school level, as well as the high school level, will be specifically addressed; specific considerations for teaching in various instructional arrangements will be the focus of some session options. Of course, opportunity will be provided for conference participants to pose their unique questions.

The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 8, and conclude at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 9; in addition to the other conference sessions, teachers of Home Economics Career Preparation (HECP) and Diversified Career Preparation are encouraged to participate in a special session on Friday evening addressing the unique needs of instructional arrangements which include a work-based training component. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Austin South, 3401 South IH-35, Austin, 78741. A block of guest rooms is being held and can be reserved by calling the hotel and identifying that the guest will be participating in the TEA-Home Economics Conference; the hotel phone number is (512) 448-2444. The hotel rate is $70.00 plus tax for single, double, or triple/quad occupancy. Rooms must be reserved by September 23 to ensure receiving that room rate; rooms not reserved by our group by September 23 will be reserved at the conference rate on a space available basis only. Ground transportation from the airport to the hotel is available at no cost and can be requested by utilizing one of the terminal's hotel courtesy phones to notify the hotel of your need for transportation.

In order for printing and meal arrangements to be finalized, pre-registration for the conference is required. Since a limited amount of meeting room space is available, and so that the content can be appropriately tailored for the intended audience, participation is open only to those teachers meeting the definition of "new or returning" as previously indicated. Persons desiring to attend should complete the enclosed registration form and submit a $30.00 registration fee (this includes the cost of lunch on Friday and Saturday). The registration fee should be a school check, personal check, or money order payable to "Home Economics Conference;" purchase orders cannot be accepted. The deadline for receipt of the registration form and fee is September 28; they should be mailed to:

Home Economics Conference
PO Box 9589
Austin, TX 78766-9589

As you can see, the topics to be included are central to conducting an effective home economics education program; we believe that teachers want to do outstanding work and will, if they have both a clear vision of the expectations and the tools for meeting the expectations. This conference has been designed to bring the expectations into focus, to sharpen professional skills, and to make participants aware of resources at their disposal. One copy of this mailing is being sent to each campus on our mailing list for home economics programs; please assist us by distributing copies of the information to all "new" or "returning" home economics teachers on your campus. Additionally, please take whatever steps are possible to assure that personnel in either of these categories on other campuses have in fact received the information.

In addition, a teacher mentor program is being established as past of the statewide initiatives for Home Economics Education for the 1999-2000 school year as a means of helping to promote the success and retention of new home economics teachers. The purpose of this initiative is to provide direct support and assistance for new teachers and those returning to teaching the discipline following a period of absence. Mentors have been selected through an application process and represent various geographic regions of the state. They are knowledgeable professionals who are willing to accept the responsibility of facilitating the professional growth and support of colleagues. Those new and returning teachers who are selected to participate in the teacher mentor project will initially meet their mentor teachers during the 1999 Professional Development Conference for New and Returning Home Economics Teachers. Remaining mentor-mentee activities will focus around telephone, e-mail, and mail exchange of ideas, resources, and support related to home economics education.

New and returning home economics teachers desiring home economics teacher mentors for the 1999-2000 school year should complete the enclosed application and submit it to the address shown on the form by September 28, 1999, along with registration for the Professional Development Conference for New and Returning Home Economics Teachers. Geographic locations and home economics teaching assignments will be considered; although, priority will be given to applications from new and returning home economics teachers who desire to have home economics teacher mentors who are from school districts and/or campuses on which he/she is the only home economics teacher.

Thank you for your support and assistance. Please feel free to contact this office at (512) 463-9454 if there are questions regarding this matter or your home economics education program.

Sincerely,
Gay Nell McGinnis, Director
Home Economics Education

For further information on this topic, contact Home Economics Education at (512) 463-9454

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