It's been a fun-filled day, and I haven't even left the country. I arrived at the airport at 7:30AM and met a fellow teacher before heading to the hotel. Our room wasn't ready since it was so early so we decided to venture out to the national mall. The heat made the walk a bit unbearable, but we eventually made it to the Holocaust Museum. It's definitely a must see if in the area, and for parents concerned about the heavy content, they do have a "light" version that is elementary school appropriate. Afterwards we returned to the hotel for the meet and greet with all twenty-four participants. I feel very lucky to be a part of this program--the other teachers are amazing. They come from diverse areas and backgrounds, and have some great ideas for programs to implement when we return. It will be interesting to see how our ideas evolve throughout our travels.
This evening a reception was held for us at the Botanical Gardens next to the Capitol Building. Receptions can only be held after hours with congressional approval. Luckily, we had that. Representative Donald Payne (NJ-D) joined us and offered his congratulations. He's a former teacher and understands how hard our jobs can be. I had the opportunity to talk to him for awhile and we had a great conversation about the state of education both here and in South Africa.
That's all for tonight. I need to rest up before the long flight tomorrow. Next blog will come from Johannesburg. South Africa here I come!
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