Today I got to hang with about 300 other teachers, honing our craft, talking about what worked and what didn't, at a lovely conference at Montclair State University.

Our Governor was not there. Our union was not there. Our students were not there.

Just us, talking shop, formally and informally.

With the storm clouds rolling in, it's easy to forget why we do this. It's nice to get a pay check, true--despite the howls of the ridiculously rich, there's no shame in earning a living. Still, we get more than that. Far more than that.

I'm good. I want to be better. Most of us do.

Thank you Cheryl Hopper for a wonderful conference.