LM October 2015

Conference Candids

The mood being set by a wonderful musical group from Des Plaines CCSD 62, the IASA 51st Annual Conference got off to a rousing start last week. The musical group The D62s consisting of teachers, a principal and a retired teacher from the school district of IASA President Dr. Jane L. Westerhold played and sang a variety of songs from the 80s and 90s and had the crowd on its feet. The conference, which was held in downtown Springfield at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and at the Prairie Capital Convention center, attracted more than 600 attendees from more than 450 school districts in Illinois. In her opening remarks, Dr. Westerhold told superintendents and other administrators "We are a family...don't be afraid to ask for support." The D62s punctuated her point by singing Sister Sledge's "We Are Family". The Opening Ceremonies included the Pledge of Allegiance led by Amy Lewis, the Illinois Education Association 2015 Teacher of the Year (and a member of The D62s). The National Anthem was performed by The D62s' lead singers Diane Robinson and Mary Prost.

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