West Wind receives New Communications Award
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West Wind Education Policy Inc. is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a 2012 Commendation of Excellence in the Government division in the External Communications & Communities category of the Society for New Communications Research Excellence in New Communications Awards program. The prestigious awards program honors individuals and organizations pioneering the use of social media and Internet communications technologies. Continue reading “West Wind receives New Communications Award”
In an effort to learn about ways to make websites more accessible to all, I had a conversation with Jonathan Green, Communications Specialist with the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN) recently. Thank you to Jonathan for taking the time to share his knowledge.
I love to sail. I love being out on the water, feeling the power of the wind, watching the sails fill with air and propel the boat across the waves, and being a member of a crew. When sailing with a crew, I am always impressed by the way the sailors work together. Each person knows what they are supposed to do and takes care of their own role, whether it is taking the helm, hoisting the mainsail, bringing across the traveler, trimming the sails to the wind, or hiking out to balance the boat’s weight. 
As I drove into work this morning, I realized that in a foreseeable amount of time (one month from now), a long-term goal that has been one of the biggest challenges I ever set out to achieve will culminate: I will defend my dissertation and have earned my PhD. Though it’s easy to pat myself on the back for realizing a long-held dream, I think it’s important to acknowledge that I didn’t get here alone. 
As students enter their school buildings this August, it is timely to think about what the start of the school year was like fifty-five years ago when Elizabeth Eckford and eight other students who were the first black students to enroll in Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. I would highly recommend that you read “ELIZABETH AND HAZEL: Two Women of Little Rock” by David Margolick. In this non-fiction book, Margolick describes the events building up to the day that fifteen-year-old Elizabeth was photographed as she was swarmed by an angry mob at the steps of Central High School and tells the story of how this iconic photograph became a symbol of the civil rights movement across the world. 
Mandi: Today I saw another one of the big differences between a Kindergartener and a 2nd Grader: the Kindergartener kisses Mom profusely, yells bye, and gives Mom and Dad a high five; the 2nd Grader blushes profusely when Mom tries for a kiss, waves bye shyly, and rolls his eyes when Mom puts up her hand for a high five – but he does it anyway! And I learned that this mom is just as teary and nervous when the second child goes off to Kindergarten as the first. My little girl looked so tiny, walking through that door. I am grateful for the wonderful teachers who welcomed both of them into their classes this morning and whose rooms were already filled with lesson plans, books, great displays, and all the markings of people who love their jobs and are dedicated to helping their students. I’m ready for this next family adventure and glad to have the support of such amazing teachers, staff, and a great principal on the journey with us! Finn 2nd, Jocie Kindergarten