DKG International Convention: A Woman of Importance: An Instrument of Peace

 Join Us for the Combined Session of the DKG Forums:

 Canadian, European, Latin American, and United States

Potomac Ballroom

 Friday, July 12, 2024

 3:00-4:00 P.M.

Marion Blumenthal Lazan

DKG International Honorary Member

There are still women and men among us who bear witness to the unspeakable, terrible events of the years when the Nazi regime ruled Germany. While speaking of her family’s odyssey during the years of 1939 to 1948, Marion is a true instrument of peace as she continually advocates for tolerance and respect when she addresses her audience of students and adults all over the United States and Europe.

We are honored to present a virtual visit with Marion and her holocaust story. It is a message of perseverance, determination, faith, and hope.

Find more convention info here. 

Calling ALL US DKG Members: Get Ready to Attend the US Forum 2024 National Legislative Seminar, March 10-13th!

The US Forum Steering Committee has been very busy planning an exciting and informative seminar in Washington DC. We hope you will join us for this unique, signature event that is only offered to DKG members every two years.

The National Legislative Seminar takes place at the Holiday Inn National Airport, Crystal City, just a short distance from the sights and sounds of our nation’s capital. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to learn from experts on the key issues identified by DKG members, hone your advocacy skills, and discuss solutions with members from across the country and with your congressional representatives in the House and Senate!

Registration for the seminar is $340.00 and includes all meals. You can register and pay online or download the registration form and pay by check. Go to www.dkgusforum.org to complete your registration and find out about reserving your hotel room.

Just a reminder that the deadline to reserve a room at the seminar rate of $129.00 is Tuesday, February 6^th! Don’t delay. The phone number to contact the hotel for a reservation is listed on the Registration Form. You will also find this number on the US Forum website, www.dkgusforum.org.

A full schedule of engaging speakers and activities, both at the hotel and in Washington, DC, is being planned for you. Did you know that during the National Legislative Seminar, you can participate in a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, learn about women and education Issues in the upcoming legislative session, understand how the federal government is helping to improve mental health services for all Americans, and gain a better idea of the ways that artificial intelligence systems will impact teaching and learning in the very near future?

You’ll even get to meet some of the Senators and Representatives from your home state during the Day on the Hill event on Tuesday, March 12^th!

Don't miss this amazing opportunity to join with fellow DKG members to learn, grow, and advocate for women, children, and education in our nation’s beautiful Capitol! Register now at www.dkgusforum.org.

See you in DC in March!

“KEY ACTIONS OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS"

The U.S. Forum Steering Committee is delighted to announce that Gwen Graham,

Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs, United States Department of Education will be an honored guest on Monday afternoon March 11, 2024, from 4-5 p.m. at the National Legislative Seminar. She will speak on the topic:

“KEY ACTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS"

Gwen Graham is a former member of the US House of Representatives, (Florida), 2018 candidate for governor of Florida, daughter of a public school teacher (Adele Khoury), and daughter of former governor of Florida, Bob Graham.

She is a respected former member of Congress with a reputation for fairness, compassion, and problem-solving. Graham served as the Congressional representative from Florida's 2nd District during the 114th Congress and was known as one of the House's most bipartisan members. She is an attorney and prior to her service in Congress, Graham focused her practice on public education as Chief of Labor and Employee Relations for the Leon County School District. She was involved in every aspect of the educational process and was recognized for her integrity and fairness. She also served as a board member of the statewide Florida Educational Negotiators. Graham is a proud product of public K-12 education as are her children, and she served as PTA President and School Advisory Council Chair while they were young. She currently serves as a board director of the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida, the Florida State Parks Foundation, Ruth's List, and as Vice Chair of the City of Tallahassee Independent Ethics Board.

The National Legislative Seminar is on March 10-13, 2024. Register here. 

Women & Educational Issues in the Upcoming Legislative Landscape

Come join us to kick off the official beginning of the 2024 National legislative Seminar. Back by popular demand, Lisa Maatz will motivate us to get involved in the legislative process. You don’t want to miss her session on Sunday afternoon from 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Women and Educational Issues in the Upcoming Legislative Landscape

Lisa Maatz, former AAUW Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy, spearheaded the campaign that led to the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and other crucial women’s rights and civil rights legislation during her 15 years with the organization. After working on Capitol Hill for Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Lisa represented women’s equity groups on Capitol Hill for almost 25 years. She is a savvy advocate and engaging speaker, with a reputation for her strategic and creative approach to all things including government affairs, grassroots advocacy, and nonprofit management.

 

After moving back to Northeast Ohio, Lisa became the senior advisor at Ohio Citizen Action, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes people to protect public health, improve environmental quality, benefit consumers, and strengthen our democracy. She is now an independent consultant working nationwide, specializing in gender equity issues, grassroots advocacy, and nonprofit management. She works primarily with membership organizations and continues her public speaking on a variety of invited topics.

 

Lisa is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Ohio University, has two masters’ degrees from the Ohio State University, and has held an adjunct appointment with the Women and Politics Institute at OSU and American University.

The National Legislative Seminar is on March 10-13, 2024. Register here.

“Improving our Nation’s Mental Health Service Systems”

We are delighted to announce that, as part of the National Legislative Seminar on Monday March 11, 2024, and in keeping with our focus on mental health needs of our members and their students, that Dr. Anita Everett, M.D. Director of the Center for Mental Health Services will be a special guest speaker.  She will speak to us from 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. that day. Her topic will be “Improving our Nation’s Mental Health Service Systems.”

This is a topic of serious concern for all of us.

Dr. Anita Everett is the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency, which is an agency under the authority of the

Federal Health and Human Services Agency.

In this role she provides executive leadership for federal efforts to improve the nation’s mental health service systems. Before joining the staff of SAMHSA, she worked at The Johns Hopkins Bayview Community and General Psychiatry Center in Maryland, where she directed 22 community psychology programs that provided a range of services to individuals from preschool age to older adults, including recovery support services for persons with serious mental illnesses.  She also served as a member of the faculty at the Bloomberg School of Health and John Hopkins University. From 1999 to 2003, she was the Inspector General to the Office of the Governor in the Department of Mental Health in Virginia. She also has experience working on international projects in Iraq and Afghanistan on the implementation of mental health services in these countries.

Her insight will be very beneficial for all of us.

National Legislative Seminar - March 10-13, 2024

Register here.  

National Legislative Seminar Options!

You don’t want to miss Monday morning March 11, 2024, of the National Legislative Seminar where two options have been planned for you. It is your choice about which one you attend.

7:00-8:00 a.m.--Grab and Go Breakfast

Option 1

8:00 a.m. Arlington Cemetery for the Laying of the Wreath. DKG members have the opportunity to participate with the Honor Guard in an impressive ceremony of laying our DKG wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. A bus will take participants to and from the cemetery. This tour is led by Darlene Cook, US Forum Chair. Walking is involved at the cemetery.

Option 2

8:15 a.m.-9: 15 a.m.—More Than Just a Parking Permit: Your Rights and Responsibilities in Navigating the Health Care System: The Maze of Doctors, Insurance, and More.

Come to this session to discuss some of your rights and responsibilities. With the increasing population of our members with cancer, heart issues, and more, it is important we all know how to advocate for ourselves and our loved ones.

Speaker: Bev Johns, Northeast Representative, US Forum

9:30 a.m.-10: 15 a.m.- Little known facts about African American Women Educators and Suffragettes in Washington, DC.  During the 19^th and 20^th centuries, Black women played a key role for universal suffrage. They participated in political meetings and organized political societies. African American women attended political conventions where they planned strategies to gain the right to vote. They were truly activists.

10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m.—Famous women sites in the District of Columbia: An Overview.

There are many sites in the District of Columbia that are recognized as important historical sites that honor women. Come to this session to learn where they are and their importance.

Featured Speaker:  Patricia Ford Neal, speaker for both above sessions has served as president of Nu Zeta Chapter and the District of Columbia State Organization President, 2019-2021. She is a native Washingtonian and became a member of DKG in 1985. She is also incoming President of the African American Genealogy and Historical Society of Prince George County, Maryland.

Register for the National Legislative Seminar today at:

www.dkgusforum.org

The Role of AI Systems in Today’s Classrooms

US Forum - National Legislative Seminar - March 10-13, 2024

Presenter:  Rob Weil, Director of Field Programs in the Educational Issues Department of the American Federation of Teachers.  Rob taught high school math in Colorado for 20 years and has been with AFT since 2001.

“There is a lot of speculation regarding the future of teaching and learning in K-12 education, especially with recent developments in technology. The world-wide release of ChatGPT and other generative artificial intelligence platforms have created a plethora of new, even more difficult, questions. What role will these AI systems play in classrooms? What do students need to learn to succeed in an AI saturated world? How will teaching change? How do you strike a balance between teachers and machines? And obviously, will AI replace teachers or other education workers?”

When: Sunday, March 10, 2024, 6:30 p.m. 

Register here. 

IMPROVING THE WORKING CONDITIONS OF EDUCATORS: WHAT CAN EACH OF US DO

US Forum - National Legislative Seminar - March 10-13, 2024

This panel will tackle the tough issues surrounding how can we improve the working conditions of educators. How can we ensure we retain good educators? How can we ensure that our students are taught by well qualified educators? What can each of us do to create positive school climates that promote the well-being of all staff?

This panel of esteemed presenters bring a wealth of experience to the field. Join us for a thought provoking and solutions-oriented panel.

Sheila Gaiser is from DKG CA Area II where she is Area II Legislative Chair. She is also on CA President’s Educational Law and Policy committee as well as US Forum Legislative State and Federal Committee as CA representative.  After teaching second grade for 5 years, she left for better pay in the private sector. She returned to teaching after 30 years in the corporate world in various managerial positions where she was listed in Who’s Who of American Women. She was an educator for 18 years as a teacher, teacher mentor, teacher trainer, grade level leader, assistant principal intern, and elected representative to both state and national teacher conventions.  

Katina Keever is the President of Virginia DKG. She lives in Gloucester, VA. She has been a member of DKG and the Gamma Nu chapter since May 2011, having served in a variety of chapter and state roles. Katina is entering her 27th year in education. She currently works as the Student Services Coordinator in Gloucester County Public Schools, but also spent ten years as a school administrator and 14 years in the elementary classroom serving students in grades 1st through 4th grade over the years.

Linda McCrary, a member of the NEA Board of Directors, a former DKG SE Regional Director, and Chair of the DKG Educational Foundation, a classroom teacher and librarian in TN, has devoted her life to philanthropy and advocacy for education, educators, and students.  She believes in and advocates for candidates and legislation supportive of equity. She was the 1994 – 1996 chair of the US Forum Steering Committee, which proposed the National Legislative Seminar as a project of the US Forum.  She is a wife of 60 years, a mother, and a grandmother.

Sally Nazelrod is the president of Maryland DKG. She is the retired Coordinator of Health and Physical Education in Baltimore County Public Schools and is the current President of the Eastern Seaboard Region of the National Academy for Health and Physical Literacy-NAHPL. She lives in Manchester in Carroll County, Maryland and is the mother of 2 sons and grandmother of 4. 

Bev Johns, US Forum, Northeast Representative, will moderate the panel. 

Register for the National Legislative Seminar here.

US Forum NLS: An Evening With The Arts

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 from 7:15 p.m.-8:30 p.m. 

Artful Tools 

Open your minds to the amazing impact that art can have in your academic and personal lives. Join two museum professionals as they present functional strategies that will enhance programming for students and support unique growth opportunities for educators.
 
Featured Speakers:

Tondra J Odom, President of DKG, DC
Tondra is a retired District of Columbia elementary school teacher as well as a museum educator. She will provide you with strategic art tools that will augment teaching and learning experiences for every student, irrespective of demographics. Her goal is to give every child an opportunity to have access to a quality education, making a high academic outcome possible.
 
Marjorie J Mitzner, MEd, MAT
Museum Educator
You don't have to be an artist to appreciate and utilize the arts. With a wealth of experience both inside classrooms and museums, Marjorie understands the importance of self-care. She will provide us with tools to process the stressors of daily life using thought-provoking methods and beautiful works of art. 

Join the US Forum National Legislative Seminar on March 10-13, 2024!