"Secret No More: VATE Recognized as NCTE Affiliate of Excellence"

Written by Chuck Miller, 2008 Executive Secretary; first published in VATE's (Virginia Association of Teachers of English) award-winning newsletter, The Needle's Eye (Volume 28, Issue 3)

You may be aware of an advertising campaign for Northwestern Mutual, which identifies itself as "The Quiet Company." The thought process behind the slogan

Jan Suppa-Friedman, VATE's tireless NCTE liaison, "holding court" at a recent VATE conference.

is that Northwestern is a company that is solid and dependable, which goes about its business without a need for glitzy, gimmicky commercials to "toots its own horn." In many ways, our organization, the Virginia Association of Teachers of English, is like that. If you have any doubt about what VATE is all about, just check out the latest on our award winning website, www.vate.org, and you will be amazed at all that we have accomplished as we promote professionalism for the teachers of English and language arts through the Commonwealth. Yet, like the corporate image of Northwestern, VATE is solid and dependable, and not likely to make a lot of noise on its own behalf.

But, there is an old proverb, that, if it is not Biblical (Forgive me if I sound sacrilegious.), probably ought to be, which goes as follows: "If thou dost not toot they own horn, then thy horn shalt not be tooted." So, I would like to take this opportunity to brag a bit. As the title of my article proudly announces, NCTE has recognized something that we have known for some time now; VATE is a high quality professional organization, and we have the 2007 NCTE Affiliate Excellence Award to confirm it. VATE received this commendation back in November during the Affiliate Breakfast at the NCTE Convention in New York City. The award is a tribute to the efforts of all our members, but a special word of recognition is due to Jan Suppa-Friedman, our NCTE liaison, who spent countless hours documenting our accomplishments and presenting them to the Council in a very handsome portfolio.

So, the secret is out, at least on a national level. But ironically, VATE is still a well-kept secret in some areas of our state. And, that presents a challenge for me and for you to get the word out about VATE. I have tried to be a good ambassador for VATE for the twenty years that I have served on the executive board, and I ask you to join me in letting the English and language arts teachers in Virginia know how good we are.

When a "rookie" joins the English department at your school or a student teacher serves in your classroom, explain to her/him the significance of being a part of our professional organization, maybe even purchase a membership as a gift for the teacher. When you encounter a colleague who is not a member of VATE, share a copy of The Needle's Eye or The Virginia English Bulletin. Better yet, invite the colleague to join you in attending the 2008 VATE conference. Encourage your department chair or principal to consider purchasing a school level membership. Do whatever it takes to ensure that VATE is no longer one of the best-kept secrets in Virginia.