I've been attending NSTA conferences off and on since the early 1980s. But this year, since I've retooled (rather than retired!), I don’t have to report back to a district on specific topics, and I'm taking a break from doing presentations. I'm a free agent!

Conferences are rejuvenating. It's exciting to be surrounded by thousands of folks who share similar interests, and there is so much to learn, both formally at sessions and informally through meeting other people. But it's hard to get to conferences, especially if it's on the opposite coast and travel expenses are high. This time of March could also be the testing window for state assessments, and I know it's hard to get good substitutes (or any substitutes at all in some cases).

But here's an offer you can't refuse. Since I am a free agent, I can plan my own conference schedule. If you can't make the conference, but there are hot topics you'd like to suggest, let me know and I'll focus my energies on a few of them and report back through this conference blog site, with session summaries and resources. Just add your suggestions through a comment below!