As we wrap up another great IDEA/ITEC conference, I want to thank all of you who attended.  I also want to thank everyone who is involved in setting everything up including both our board and the TEAI board.  Lastly, I want to thank the vendors and presenters as well.  It takes a lot of work behind the scenes by a lot of people to put on a great conference for our teachers every year.  Furthermore, thanks to our 3 new board members who have stepped up to help the organization.  It has been a privilege to serve as your president the past 3 years.  I want to thank everyone for that opportunity as it has allowed me to develop great friendships and professional opportunities across the state.  As I reflect on the past three years, we have undertaken some of our biggest challenges including continuing growth of competitions and opportunities for our students and educators as well as modernizing the organization with a new name a logo that I hope continues to represent our organization for years to come.  None of this would have been possible without everyone’s help and support.  I urge you as members to get involved in our organization and help us continue to grow.  I will continue to help our efforts to grow as the communications director and I look forward to helping our presence grow via social media and the website.  Jeff Brown was elected as president and he will be taking over by the end of this calendar year.  Be on the lookout for competition registration coming in early December.  Thanks again to all the teachers, students, and administrators who have supported this organization as well as myself over the past three years.

Brian Rick

Past President/Communications Director