Bob Morris reminisces about attending his first ASCD Conference.
It was 1976 when I was finishing my doctoral work at Indiana State University, and my major professor, William Van Til, told me to pack my bags because I was going to the ASCD Conference in Miami Beach. Well, back then if your major professor said to do something, you did it—even if you didn't have very much money.
The ASCD Conference was where all the big names went to make presentations; debate educational issues; and, most important, see each other. It was a yearly reunion of sorts. Van Til was already a past president of the Association, and he knew everyone. That's what was great for me—getting to meet and talk with the ASCD folks like Bob Leeper; Gordon Cawelti; Geneva Gay; and my favorite, Sarah Arlington. Also, that's where I met Ralph Tyler for the first time and was awed by his remarks at a Professors of Curriculum meeting, which I got to attend. It was at this meeting, and those that followed, that I got to see firsthand how close the occupation is.
I have attended ASCD meetings faithfully (only missing one) over the past 31 years. What I've learned from my time with ASCD has been that the organization is whatever you want it to be. It's been, at times, a great source of professional information through its publications and conferences and, at other times, an even greater source for developing professional friendships. So, for the past few ASCD conferences, I've been bringing my students with me, like Van Til brought me years ago. This year [I brought] 17 students from Georgia to the ASCD Annual Conference in New Orleans. It [was] a first "professional adventure" for most of them, but one I know they'll always remember and associate with me—and that sounds pretty good to me.