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Dear #NCTE15

Dear #NCTE15, 

 Thank you---
for belly laughs and seeping tears
for strategies, insights, and new plans
for authors who sign books!
for considering me "your people" and "your tribe"
for celebrating the new and the risk and the innovative
for justice and advocacy
for fun!

I return home---
fulfilled
renewed
relaxed
excited
inspired
motivated
overjoyed.

I was a #firsttimer. I attended on the kindness of the North Texas council and my administrators, not really knowing what I would find but thrilled by the opportunity. I had no idea what sort of incredible chaos I was in for! Amazingly intelligent people shared their genius. Taylor Mali made me laugh until I cried! Lois Lowry moved me. Deeply. Shanna Peeples smiled and hugged me. And Laurie Halse Anderson signed and giggled and was utterly kind! Jeff Anderson was everywhere I was, chatting me up as I laughed uncontrollably. I finally heard Carol Jago. Wow. Penny Kittle made me want to be her all over again.

In short, I was a drooling fan girl for most of the weekend. And it lingers...

The bonus? I attended with a peer who I admire and respect immensely. Conveniently, she's a ton of fun and even better at stalking authors than I! We bounced ideas and shared philosophies and slowly, over our four days in the almost frigid north (we are Texas girls, after all!), we found our enthusiasm and excitement that had dimmed a little this year, particularly in the darker days of fall. I think we just may be ready to return to our school and take on the world again for our students!

We also have a plan. #NCTE16 and #ALAN16, we are coming for YOU! Get ready to have the Hebron High School delegation invade. Not sure if you or Atlanta are ready for us, but I assure you, we will be ready for you.

#NCTE15, my gratitude runs deep. Words fail. But I promise, my students will not fail you with the gifts you've given them through me. I will be the vessel.

Thank you,

Donna Friend
high school teacher
YA reader
eternal learner


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