The annual National State Teachers of the Year conference was held in Alaska from June 16-27, 2008. The Alaskan experience was enjoyed by 24 TOYs and 35 family members and friends.
The 49th state, our last frontier purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, was in rare form with picture-perfect weather each day for the visit of NSTOY members and guests from across the United States, Guam, and Australia. Each day was filled with learning, planning for NSTOY's future, socializing, and wondrous opportunities and experiences. With Alaskan TOYs Jerry and Trudy Bendzak and their charming son Tyson planning the Alaskan experience and Kansas TOY Don Everhart making the travel arrangements, the trip could not have been more perfect from the first day forward.
Upon arrival in Seattle, TOYs were greeted by the Bendzak family and reunited with fellow members and friends. During the evening meeting, they munched on various seafood morsels provided by the Bendzaks while they prepared for their trip to “The Last Frontier” and planned for the future of NSTOY, a combination that couldn't have been better, as “North to the Future” is Alaska's state motto.
While at sea, TOYs gathered under the leadership of Peggy Allan for a day of planning for NSTOY's future. Exciting opportunities are ahead for NSTOY, so get ready to be part of this:
| President's Message | Page 2 |
| Excerpts from the Exec | Page 3 |
| Maine: Conference 2009 | Page 4 |
| Conference Registration Form | Page 5 |
| 2009 Membership Drive | Page 6 |
| 2008 Chasing Rainbows Award | Page 7 |
| This Year's National TOY | Page 8 |
| NSTOY Awards Annual Scholarships | Page 9 |
| Does Your State Have A Chapter? | Page 10 |
| Noise From TOYs | Page 11 |
| Proposed Constitutional Change | Page 12 |
| Summary of Business Meetings | Page 14 |
| Call For Presentations | Page 15 |
| Financial Report | Page 17 |
| Editor's Corner | Page 18 |
