Man I could not get used to that humidity and heat of Penticton.  Overall, it was a great conference, one that I am glad I attended since it gave me the opportunity to golf on a Country Club course, use the full set of clubs (orevious golfing experience had me using just a 9 Iron and a Putter), meet new people and see Penticton in the morning.

That first day we got there, the heat was something that I noticed right away.  There was a huge thundercloud that was passing over but no rain, that came later in the trip but the thunder sure did sound cool.  I like me a good thunderstorm but this time just sat in the room and listened to it rather than go outside and watch the lightning.

It was funny because it is known for its sun but I think we may have brought to the rain with us.  I was happy it was not 38 or 40 as I heard it got up to already this summer in Penticton.  After we were done our round of golf, I had to get into that clubhouse and wash my face with cold water as the heat was starting to get to me, I feared dehydration or heat stroke but managed to get through the golf game okay.

So as we were heading to the clubhouse, I made a beeline for the washroom so I could splash that wonderful cold water on my face.  I turn on the faucet and had to do a double check because even though i had turned it to cold water, there was nothing but warm and hot water coming out.

I mentioned that to the guy who lived in Penticton and was golfing with us and he laughed pretty hard at my comment that even the cold water is hot in Penticton.  =)  It was.  So as I sit here waiting for my flight out of Vancouver, I went to the White Spot and asked for some ice water.  I had about 4 glasses it was so good.

The Conference was pretty good in that as a Trustee I was able to sit in the workshops and learn something new right alongside many teachers and administrators.  It was kind of funny in some places since the presenters recognized the amount of teachers that were there and spoke to them primarily.  One thing that stuck with me was around the discussion of adult learners and changing people’s minds.  There was a comment about the resources that are often requested at the beginning of the school year.

It was said that those new resources do not last unless they are incorporated into already existing best practices.  The comment was that these new resources will last anywhere from 6 minutes to 6 months unless they are properly incorporated.  As a Trustee, that is good news.  =)

I also learned that assessment is something that can be utilized in the classroom as well as district wide.  I had a great time and it was very nice seeing some familiar faces and meeting new people.  There is something about a conference and having so many like minded people meeting.