I am presently an Elementary Principal in the western part of Massachusetts.

Prior to my work in adminstration, I taught secondary English including Advanced Placement Literature, Journalism and Composition.

Before entering Education, I led Sales and Marketing teams in the High Tech industry in Manhattan, San Francisco, and Boston.

I grew up in coastal Virginia and have spent much time travelling overseas.

My favorite places to return to have been in the Mideast and Southeast Asia.

Here at home I continue to marvel and be inspired by the hard work that public school teachers do. My own faculty in particular.

Teaching is hard work.

Period!

But it is also a joy and gives most of us part of our soul.

I am pleased to contribute to the BLC this year by co-presenting with Dr. Eunhee Jung from the IVECA foundation.

Through Dr. Jung's foundation, I have been able to assist my teachers in connecting our students with students from across the globe in a shared cross-cultural collaboration.

What a journey!

I hope you can make time to hear about this exciting and important initiative when we speak on Wednesday morning from 10:20-11:25 am in the Arlington Room.

If you are able to stop in, please say hi.

If not, don't hesitate to email me at merritttp@ses.sunderland.ma.us and I'm happy to share with you at a later time.

In the meantime, I wish you a good conference and happy exploring!