Yesterday evening I got confirmation that I received a scholarship to go to the University of Connecticut’s Confratute. Better yet I found out that one of my colleagues also got a scholarship to go as well so I’ll have some company. I really can’t wait for this opportunity to network with people in the education field and to attend such a highly regarded professional learning event.
As I did the first time I heard the name, you might be thinking what is a ‘confratute?’ Taken straight from their website:
“Confratute is a combined CONFerence, and an instiTUTE with a lot of FRATernity in between. Confratute is geared toward providing educators with research-based practical strategies for engagement and enrichment learning for all students, as well as meeting the needs of gifted and talented students.”
Speaking from the perspective of a gifted and talented teacher, if this event can live up to what it claims it could be revolutionary to my growth as a teacher. I don’t doubt that any of these claims are true based on the people that I’ve talked to that have been and rave about this program. Oddly enough, I’m also really looking forward to the atmosphere of living on a college campus for a week and spending time getting to know others attending.
Speaking as an outsider looking in, there are some things about the confratute that I’m struggling to understand. I’m trying to understand the schedule for the week, but it’s not the most user friendly thing to look over. There are tons of classes, but there are also references to a strand that we’ll take so I’m not sure exactly what my schedule will look like for the week. I’m also relatively uneasy about driving through the Connecticut countryside, but with my trusty iPhone I’m sure everything will go fine.
I’m not worried in the least and I’m anticipating what valuable resources I can learn from such an event. Did I mention I’ve never been to the state of Connecticut? This is going to be an awesome experience!
Hi Tyler,
I’m Dave McGann and this will be my 20th year at Confratute. This will be something that you will never forget! Many teachers return year after year and once you arrive you will feel like you are family! You will make life long friends and will be so busy the time will fly by. You can check out Confratutes 2 Facebook pages also to get some idea through pictures. There are also one or two videos on Youtube by typing in Confratute. I’m not sure where you are coming from but if you are flying in and rentting a car from Bradley International it’s easy to get to UConn. As you exit the airport look for signs leading you to 91 South ( Hartford). Once on 95 take Exit 35A (291 Manchester). Follow that and take the exit for 84 East towards Boston. Once on 84, take exit 68 (195 Tolland Mansfield). Take a right at the end of the ramp and follow it straight (this road will eventually take you through the center of UConn). You will go past Route 32 and then Route 44. Once you pass Route 44 the University will be about a mile and a half ahead. You really can’t miss it. You will check in at a place called Rome Hall. There will be signs and assistants to direct you as to where you should be. As far as the strands and schedule, there will be consultants in or near Command Central (right by where you checked into housing). If you have any questions at all feel free to email me at dem145@yahoo.com
Looking forward to meeting you!
Dave
Dave,
Thanks so much for your comment! A colleague and I are both flying up from Dallas, TX and are really excited. I’ve never been to Connecticut, so it’ll be a whole new experience. Thank you so much for the Facebook page and youtube videos, I’ll definitely look those up. Hopefully we’ll run into each other during the course of our week!
Tyler
Hi Tyler,
I’m Dave McGann and this will be my 20th year at Confratute. This will be something that you will never forget! Many teachers return year after year and once you arrive you will feel like you are family! You will make life long friends and will be so busy the time will fly by. You can check out Confratutes 2 Facebook pages also to get some idea through pictures. There are also one or two videos on Youtube by typing in Confratute. I’m not sure where you are coming from but if you are flying in and rentting a car from Bradley International it’s easy to get to UConn. As you exit the airport look for signs leading you to 91 South ( Hartford). Once on 95 take Exit 35A (291 Manchester). Follow that and take the exit for 84 East towards Boston. Once on 84, take exit 68 (195 Tolland Mansfield). Take a right at the end of the ramp and follow it straight (this road will eventually take you through the center of UConn). You will go past Route 32 and then Route 44. Once you pass Route 44 the University will be about a mile and a half ahead. You really can’t miss it. You will check in at a place called Rome Hall. There will be signs and assistants to direct you as to where you should be. As far as the strands and schedule, there will be consultants in or near Command Central (right by where you checked into housing). If you have any questions at all feel free to email me at dem145@yahoo.com
Looking forward to meeting you!
Dave
Dave,
Thanks so much for your comment! A colleague and I are both flying up from Dallas, TX and are really excited. I’ve never been to Connecticut, so it’ll be a whole new experience. Thank you so much for the Facebook page and youtube videos, I’ll definitely look those up. Hopefully we’ll run into each other during the course of our week!
Tyler