Angel Rodriguez Presenting at the 2014 Statewide Family Engagement Conference

I just found out today that I will be presenting at the 2014 Statewide Family Engagement Conference for the GADOE in Athens, GA! 

This is what I was sent earlier today...

Dear Mr. Rodriguez -

Thank you for your interest in the 2014 Statewide Family Engagement Conference.  We had a large number of quality proposal applications to choose from, which made the committee's task very difficult.  

I'm just gonna be real. At this point, I'm thinking the news isn't going to be good. "Large number of quality proposals"..."this was a difficult task"... OH NO!!! I think the 2014 Statewide Family Engagement Conference is breaking up with me!

That's okay. I love teaching parents how to be involved, as well as showing teachers ways to make this irreplaceable partnership better and stronger. This truly is my passion and I'll never stop trying to make a difference! If I don't get this opportunity, there will be others in the future...I just know there will be. I'll just be patient and continue to pursue my passion...I just need to be strong...I'll carry on....

*** Cue Titanic Theme Song "My Heart Will Go On Celine Dion" 

However, I am pleased to announce that your conference proposal "Family Engagement De-mystified and De-constructed!" has been accepted. We look forward to having you share your expertise with our participants!  

OH THANK GOODNESS!!! I try to always find the good in every situation and I'm always the eternal optimist, but having said that, it feels absolutely wonderful to find the good in an already great situation. I could not be happier with this chance to share with peers and colleagues!

I'm going to do everything I can to make a real impact at this conference. I want as many people as possible to walk away fired up about making a positive change regarding parental involvement. I want them to feel empowered and I desire nothing more than for this information to come across as practical AND achievable. I once heard Shawn Achor say that our environment does not shape our reality, but rather it is the lens in which we view our environment that shapes it. I want to help provide educators with a new lens regarding parental engagement and help aid any way I can in the discovery and appreciation of this incredibly powerful asset...PARENT INVOLVEMENT! 

I'm going to give this everything I've got! Anyone wearing socks to my presentation is guaranteed to leave barefoot, cause I'm planning on knocking them all off! Attend at your own risk! You have been warned.