National AfterSchool Alliance 24th Annual Convention

Overall, I am so glad I was able to attend this convention (yes, even despite the tornado warning and subsequent evac to the bowels of the hotel). It was an incredible learning experience. There were So. Many. Workshops that I wish I had been able to clone myself. I enjoyed checking out the vendors and had made a point to visit every single one online first. I was most excited to visit the Lintor Make-A-Book, Inc folks. I have a book binding workshop in mind for TWZ and this company can provide me with the materials I'll need to do that.

As my schooling nears completion, and during, friends have asked whether I plan to go on to get my Master's. I always emphatically say no because just doing this was too hard. Really. Hard. I can count on all my fingers and toes how many times I asked myself "What the hell are you doing?" I needed many pep talks from my family and friends (not to mention my core faculty), I needed a lot of hugs from my husband, and just constant reminders of why I was getting a Nonprofit Mgmt degree in the first place. And I would get those reminders in the form of articles, random conversation, or random research for homework. I got another reminder when I visited Charter Oak State College's booth and learned that I could get another bachelor's degree, in Child and Youth Development, or earn a certificate in After School Education. So, not a Master's, but an opportunity to further my education. I really don't know if I want to do it again. I'm 40-yrs-old! I don't want to be in school forever! At some point, I'm going to have just "get out of my pajamas and get to work" making my dream come true. At this point, if I didn't have to work and could go to school full-time, then I might reconsider and keep going ( for my Master's, another Bachelor's, whatever). Unless that happens (by winning the lottery. I really need to play more often), I'm SO done. I visited many other vendors as well and got a backpack's worth of information to take home. The spring semester is almost over, so I'll be able to go through it more thoroughly.

The one item that I would consider a prized possession is the Core Knowledge and Competencies for Afterschool and Youth Development Professionals that everyone got in their goody bag. The NAA, in collaboration with the National Institute on Out-of-School-Time (NIOST) created a booklet that is the "core knowledge and competencies that describe the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed by professionals to provide high-quality afterschool and youth development programming and support the learning and development of children and youth. This is intended to set a foundation for professional development and career advancement, informing the course of study for educators, as well as provide guidance in the development of career ladders, credentials and qualifications, and other methods of assessing practitioner skill and knowledge." Wonderful, fabulous resource that I will keep around for a very long time (unless they update it, then I'll get another copy).

The next annual convention is next year, mid-April in Indianapolis. Another city I've never visited. I hope I'll be able to attend.