ALASKA

Sitka, AK
Sitka Alaska PDK Chapter
Collected books for an elementary school affected by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast.

ARIZONA

Prescott, AZ
Yavapai Arizona PDK Chapter
Sponsored a “Distinguished Educational Leaders” recognition banquet. Over 100 applications were sent to surrounding school districts. Selections were made by a committee. Honorees were awarded plaques and received a complimentary dinner. Each honoree's school district also received $300.

ARKANSAS

Arkadelphia, AR
Henderson State University PDK Chapter
Donated $250 for clothes and supplies for children displaced by Hurricane Katrina and enrolled in Arkadelphia Arkansas Public Schools.

Fayetteville, AR
University of Arkansas PDK Chapter
Reached out to students entering the profession by sponsoring a reception for graduating college seniors.

Harrison, AR
Ozark Mountain PDK Chapter
Chapter members donated books and bears for children participating in the Ozark Reading Council program.

State University, AR
Arkansas State University PDK Chapter
The chapter honored Sandie Melton, English instructor at Arkansas State University Mountain Home, with the 2006 Above and Beyond Award at a reception held at the university. An excerpt states that Melton's “stellar characteristic is her dedication to the teaching profession and her desire to create the most qualified, prepared teachers who will enter the school systems and teach the child of tomorrow.” The chapter also recognized 12 other teachers from surrounding school districts. Each of the teachers were selected for their “willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty for their students and the profession.”

CALIFORNIA

Newport Beach, CA
Trabuco California PDK Chapter
The chapter offers a scholarship every year to a Coast District student transferring to a four-year university who plans to go into teaching.

Walnut, CA
Mt. San Antonio California PDK Chapter
The chapter gave $1,000 to the Pioneer High School FEA to help with the expenses of attending the annual FEA conference in San Diego.

CANADA

Ottawa, Ontario
University of Ottawa PDK Chapter
Organized a “Schools Helping Schools Hurricane Katrina Fund Auction.” The spirit of the auction was to raise funds for the displaced students of New Orleans. Funds raised by the auction were donated to the Houston Independent School District.

Toronto, Ontario
University of Toronto PDK Chapter
The chapter sponsors four awards for students at all levels of education. Prospective Educator Award for secondary students planning to major in education, Excellence in Student Teaching Award for Faculty of Education students doing in-school teaching practica, and the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award for recent doctoral graduates of Faculties of Education. In addition to receiving a monetary award and/or a year's membership in PDK, these applications are entered in the PDK International competition. The last award, which is local only, is the Jackman Award for Faculty of Education students.

Toronto, Ontario
University of Toronto PDK Chapter
Celebrated 50 years of providing research, service, and leadership to Toronto educators. The gala event was attended by International President Jo Ann Fujioka and Executive Director Bill Bushaw. The celebration began with a reception in the Lieutenant Governor's Suite followed by dinner in the “Great Hall” at the Unversity of Toronto. The chapter has granted many scholarships and awards over the years to those new to the profession as well as veteran educators.

CONNECTICUT

Danbury, CT
Western Connecticut State University PDK Chapter
Designated Ann's Place, a cancer support and educational group co-founded by the wife of the chapter's first president, as the recipient of the $780 raised by participating in PDK's Walk for Education.

FLORIDA

Bonita Springs, FL
Walden University Cyberspace PDK Chapter
Delivered pre-school supplies and toys to Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, where a pre-school was set-up on the base for over 2,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees.

Plantation, FL
Broward County Florida PDK Chapter
Conducted a Gift Card Drive to assist families and students displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Tampa, FL
Tampa Florida PDK Chapter
For a donation of $100 to the chapter's scholarship and awards fund the donor receives a personalized 9 x 12 plaque.

GEORGIA

Brunswick, GA
Coastal Georgia PDK Chapter
Contributed to the Katrina relief effort sponsored by the American Association of Community Colleges. The contributions provided assistance to damaged colleges and their faulty, staff, and students in the Gulf Coast.

Marietta, GA
Kennesaw Mountain Georgia PDK Chapter
Chapter members brought new stuffed teddy bears to donate to the local police, fire departments, and other emergency personnel for distribution to children who need a little support in times of trouble.

GUAM

Agana, Guam
Guam PDK Chapter
The chapter awarded a $500 scholarship to a high school senior pursuing a career in education.

Agana, Guam
Guam PDK Chapter
Before the fall election, the chapter hosted a Meet the Candidates forum. This was a good opportunity to learn the potential senators' thoughts about education and other important issues.

ILLINOIS

Decatur, IL
Decatur Illinois PDK Chapter
Collected unused music instruments and donated them to the Symphony Guild for students of the Decatur Public Schools.

JAPAN

Okinawa, Japan
Okinawa Japan PDK Chapter
Over $11,000 was raised by the chapter at an evening auction for scholarship fundraising. Two $4,000 scholarships; and, one $2,000 scholarship were presented to local high school students who will be education majors in college.

LOUISIANA

Monroe, LA
University of Louisiana/Monroe PDK Chapter
Members volunteered at local Hurricane Katrina shelters. The chapter donated clothes and personal hygiene items.

MARYLAND

Baltimore, MD
Towson University PDK Chapter
Co-sponsored a workshop on “National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.” Teacher candidates, preservice and inservice teachers, and graduate students attended. The workshop was presented by Ron Helms through the PDK Traveling Scholar program.

MINNESOTA

Moorhead, MN
Moorhead Minnesota-Fargo North Dakota PDK Chapter
Organized a “Showcase of Educational Innovation.” Presenters included graduate students and education practitioners.

NEW YORK

Albany, NY
State University of New York/Albany Chapter and The College of St. Rose Club
Sponsored an exceptional program featuring a panel presentation with five area superintendents focusing on current topics in education.

Buffalo, NY
Buffalo-South PDK Chapter
The chapter's service project for this year is “Becca's Closet.” This organization was started by a 16-year old Florida cheerleader and honor student who was killed in an automobile accident. Before her death, she had started a dress bank that provided dresses and formal accessories to high school girls who did not have the resources to purchase these. The Buffalo-South PDK Chapter donated 110 formal dresses/gowns to the Becca's Closet chapter in Williamsville.

Staten Island, NY
Staten Island New York PDK Chapter
Literary service project helped to create good cheer during the holidays! The chapter collected stuffed animals and related children's books that were donated to a local agency.

Utica, NY
Utica New York PDK Chapter
Honored Kitty Kernan as this year's “Friend of Education.” Kitty is the founder and director of the Utica Volunteer Reading Tutor Program.

NORTH CAROLINA

Charlotte, NC
Charlotte North Carolina PDK Chapter 
Members brought new copies of favorite childhood books to the annual “Share a Book” meeting. Members showed the book, told why it had special meaning to them, and why children today would still enjoy the book. The books were donated to a school in the Gulf area on behalf of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

OHIO

Huron, OH Firelands College PDK Chapter Co-sponsor of a math and science symposium designed to build excitement for incorporating these subjects into the curriculum in grades K-12. The symposium was kicked off by a speaker from the Smithsonian Institute's National Air and Space Museum. Four contact hours and a certificate awarded to attendees. College credit also was available. Toledo, OH Toledo Ohio PDK Chapter Proposals were submitted and screened by the chapter's research committee and $250 was awarded to the best Action Research Mini-Grant proposal for 2006-2007. The winner will be recognized at the Spring banquet. Toledo, OH Toledo Ohio PDK Chapter The chapter joined forces with area school FEA chapters to assemble over 200 boxes of books for shipment to a school in Louisiana that lost their library in Hurricane Katrina. Shown are some of the teachers, FEA students, and Kappan leaders who participated in the collection. (photos below)

TEXAS Commerce, TX Texas A&M University-Commerce PDK Chapter Sponsored a guest speaker to talk about public school assistance efforts and how members can help students affected by Hurricane Katrina. Houston, TX University of Houston/University Park PDK Chapter Community members who advocate for education through various programs and volunteer opportunities were recognized at an Advocacy Luncheon sponsored by three Houston chapters. Scholarship recipients also were recognized at the event and new members were inducted into the association. President-elect John Amato was present and shared the many advocacy programs and initiatives sponsored by PDK International with the audience. The Houston Area and University of Houston/Clear Lake chapters joined the University of Houston/University Park Chapter to sponsor the special event held at the Junior League. (photos below) Please see the slideshow for additional information and pictures.             Houston, TX University of Houston/University Park PDK Chapter Check out the slideshow of the successful Research Conference sponsored by the University of Houston/University Park, Houston Area, and University of Houston/Clear Lake chapters. The conference included keynote speaker, Dr. David Baker, breakout sessions by educational practitioners and leaders, and a platform for graduate students to present papers on research. “Hat's off to another great collaborative” said Sharon Delesbore, who developed the slideshow presentation. A portion of the funding for the conference was provided by the PDK Educational Foundation in recognition of annual giving contributions received from the UH/Clear Lake chapter. Houston, TX University of Houston/Clear Lake PDK Chapter Organized a school supply drive in an effort to help displaced Hurricane Katrina students feel better about their new environment. Huntsville, TX Sam Houston State University PDK Chapter Sponsored an “Educators are Sweethearts” event during the month of February to recognize teachers who have made a significant difference. A musical tribute was presented by a quartet and teachers were honored with red carnations and a certificate of distinction. San Antonio, TX Alamo PDK Chapter The chapter awarded scholarships to two high school seniors. One is pursuing a career as a special education teacher and the other a math teacher. San Antonio, TX San Antonio Texas PDK Chapter The Walk for Education raised funds to award two $300 scholarships to students pursuing a career in education.

VIRGINIA Harrisonburg, VA Shenandoah Valley Virginia PDK Chapter “I was never prouder to be a Kappan” said Violet Allain, membership representative for the chapter. Violet personally drove 2,000 miles to deliver 30 boxes of books and 40 gift cards valued at $2,000 to schools and a marine education center in Mississippi affected by Hurricane Katrina. The chapter made a commitment to the Mississippi Gulf Coast PDK Chapter to provide assistance. (photos below)

WISCONSIN

Kenosha, WI
Kenosha-Racine Wisconsin PDK Chapter
Sponsored a workshop on “Educator Self-Esteem” and arranged a one-hour radio interview with PDK Traveling Scholar, Richard Lipka. In additional to self-esteem, other topics covered in the interview were characteristics of master teachers, student achievement and assessment, and the role of television in school violence.