MINERVA

Mission Statement: The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional

and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

In this issue:

A Message from

Kate York

Board Members

Reviews

Greetings from

Diane Billam

Chronology

“As I think back to my visit to Estonia in March, my first memory is of snow piled up alongside all the roads, and the frozen rivers and lakes. On my flight across from Helsinki, even the sea was covered in ice! I have a special fondness for DKG Estonia because I was present when the installation of the first chapter took place. I had been unable to go to the installation of the second chapter because I was travelling round the world! I was therefore delighted when the International President asked me to be the International representative for the Estonian state meeting. This year’s visit was very special because I had the opportunity of visiting Pärnu. It was a real pleasure to meet new member for supper at the yacht club, overlooking frozen sea! I’m still enthralled with the beautiful brooch presented to me that evening. Sleeping in a room completely lined with wood, to the accompaniment of a wood-burning stove, was another amazing experience. On the following morning I was very impressed by visits to a school and the local university college. The school was immaculate, having recently been refurbished. The university, a branch of Tartu Ülikool, is housed in an impressive combination of re-modelled buildings and state-of-the-art modern architecture. At both venues we were taken round by DKG members who were proud to show us where they work. Back at Jõgisoo, overnight snow resulted in a treacherous car journey to collect food from the caterer, but we successfully navigated a narrow, snowbound lane, before driving into the city for the state meeting, held at the school where Meeri Sild teaches – I remembered her from Oslo.

I was fortunate to have longer than I had expected to be able to talk to members, although I was sorry that this was due to the illness of two speakers. I had excellent instant translation to help me follow everything that was presented in Estonian. I was really encouraged by the number of members planning to come to Baden-Baden in the summer, and I look forward to seeing them again there. The method of the election of Margarita as the new State President was planned by Anu very thoughtfully – this impressed me. The initiation of two new members confirmed that the chapters are still growing, and I was glad to be able to be present for the ceremony. I would like to thank everyone for a warm welcome (in contrast to the weather), for friendliness and for great hospitality. I hope to come again soon.”

DKG International Estonia State Newsletter

Summer 2011 No. 01

Kate York, Europe Regional Director: Visiting Estonia

“…I have a special fondness for

DKG Estonia because I was

present when the installation of

the first chapter took place..”

Kate York,

Europe Regional Director

In Pärnu, 2011: Reet Soosaar, Kate York and Anu Joon at Pärnu College

State President of DKG Estonia and Alpha Chapter president (up to 2010)

Goals and functions Activities

03.2008–07.2009 1. Representing the Society - to participate in European Forum (up to 2010: Amsterdam, Oslo, Chicago) - to introduce Estonian educational system (in Sweden, Västeros, Skövde)

2. Getting acquainted with the traditions of the Society, Constitution etc.

- to take part in International Conventions (Chicago) - to keep in touch with DKG members all over the world - to get acquainted with DKG paper-work -to share the information with the members - to carry out annual and regular meetings

3.Getting to know well the members of the DKG in Estonia

- to find out the aims and needs of the members - to get acquainted to each other’s work

07.2009–07.2011 1.Retaining/enlarging the membership, initiating a new chapter

- to make preparations for opening the Beta Chapter - to open Beta Chapter in Pärnu (16.03.1010) - to initiate new members - to carry out annual and regular meetings (6.03.2010 and 5.03.2011)

2.Taking actively part in the life of the Society, continuing the work on getting well acquainted with the Society

- to represent the DKG Society Estonia abroad and - to participate in International Conventions - to prepare the alterations in the structure of DKG Estonia (two chapters) - to keep a blog and to file the documentation - to inspire and engage the members in the work of the Society

3. Inspiring the professional development of the members of the Society

- to plan and organize interesting meetings - to participate in International meetings

Suggestions for enhancement

Proposals for the future development

• To activate the work of the committees • To activate the passive members • To keep up the good cooperation between Alpha

and Beta Chapters • To open new chapter (e.g. in Tartu) • To participate actively in International conferences • To learn more about the scholarship possibilities in

DKG • To create a buzz • To start a charity

About the professional development of the members

• To make a research into the history of education in Estonia

• To get to know and share the knowledge about famous educators in the history of education in Estonia (Johannes Käis)

• To carry out research in schools • To celebrate Hilda Taba’s 110th

anniversary in December 2012

About the Society: • To celebrate the anniversary of the Society

in May • To apply more actively for DKG

scholarships • To find financial support by writing projects

in order to forward the work of DKG Estonia

Summary of my work as the president of the International DKG Society in Estonia.

“I would like to thank my team – Piret and Sirje – for excellent and balanced teamwork!

Also I would like to thank all members of our Society for the trust and good advice given!” Anu Joon, State President of DKG International Estonia, 2008-2011

DKG International Convention, Chicago, 2008

Summer 2011 Page 2

“Three years as an executive secretary has been an enhancing and special experience. What made it exceptional was the fact that we worked 3 years instead of 2. As we were the first executive board of the newly founded DKG society in Estonia, then during the first year we explored the values of the society and got used to its principles and only during the second and the third years we apprehended how we should act as a state organisation of an international society. Today, recalling the beginning of our mission, some things were quite funny. I remember our first meeting in the restaurant ‘Captain Tenkesh’. We did not know each other, we could remember neither our names properly nor our faces after the first get-together. But it was challenging to achieve the main goal with newly gathered people: to actuate the DKG Estonia.

Greetings from Diane Billam

“It has been my great pleasure to come to Estonia last year and this for your State Conference in Tallinn. I came as State President of Great Britain State, to bring greetings and best wishes from our members to yours. We celebrated our 30th birthday within DKG on 19 November 2007. and it has been so good to welcome you into the family. I was fortunate to stay with Anu Joon and her husband in 2010, and with Margarita Hanschmidt and hers this year. Both made me so welcome that it felt like coming home. Along with Kate York, European Regional Director, who came and stayed with Anu this year, it was most enjoyable to visit the Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum and take a sleigh ride, and the Estonian Art Gallery where Kate and I had our photo taken by the big chair made of tyres! Along with your inspiring conference, and the installation of two new members, thank you again for a most enjoyable stay in your beautiful country. I hope to come again some time!” Diane Billam State President, Great Britain State

My three years as an executive secretary (2008-2011)

Recollections of the treasurer “I accepted this position with the knowledge that I will have to collect so called “coffee-money’’ in our organization but the responsibility turned out to be much more demanding. It can not be said that I was totally frightened because, as we all know, life is full of surprises for anyone. All important financial documents have been under my control and handed in to the authorities, including business year accounts to the register of companies. However, a brighter person who can find supplementary funds through the projects of European Union will be more needed for our organization. So, good luck, Margit! Anyway, I can still help you with “collections”…” Sirje Hellerma

“…every beginning is

laborious.

Hardships pose

challenges and you are

learning faster.”

Piret Tamme,

Secretary of DKG

International Estonia

2008-2011

As an executive secretary I have helped to organise events and meetings and kept the minutes. The final rephasing of the minutes of proceedings was like an analysis of performance which helped to design the whole process. In conclusion, it can be said that every beginning is laborious. Hardships pose challenges and you are learning faster. During the three years we all have changed. I have personally acquired new knowledge and skills but the most important – I have become acquainted with new interesting people. I wish to our new executive secretary endurance and persistence, also creativity and enterprising spirit. “ Piret Tamme

“…responsibility turned out to be much more demanding.”

Sirje Hellerma,

Treasurer of DKG International Estonia 2008-2011

DKG European Regional Conference, Oslo 2009

Annual Meeting of 2010. Beta Chapter is opened!

Summer 2011 Page 3

In the next issue: Europe Regional Conference in Baden Baden Plans for autumn and winter

DKG International Estonia: State President Anu Joon 2008-2011 Anu.Joon@aasmaepk.edu.ee Margarita Hanschmidt 2011-2013 1704rita@gmail.com Executive Secretary Epp Raag epp@21k.ee Alpha President Merike Saar merike.saar@gmail.com Beta President Katrin Saks kat3z@hot.ee Treasurer 2011-2013 Margit Timakov Margit.Timakov@gmail.com Educational Excellence Urve Läänemets urvelaanemets@hot.ee Membership Reeli Tänavsuu Reeli28@gmail.com Editor Evelin Vaab evefine23@gmail.com Webmaster Meeri Sild meerisild@gmail.com European Forum Anu Ariste Anu.Ariste@aasmaepk.edu.ee Scholarship Tiiu Vitsut Tiiu.Vitsut@gmail.com

Year 2007 September – In Tallinn French School: Establishment of the foundation group on the initiative of Marianne Scardeus (Sweden); Meeting with Mailis Reps, the former Minister of Education November – In Audentes School: Prof. A. Lensment ‘What is Russian Identity?’; P. Kaare ‘Internet Addiction Disorder’; Marianne Scardeus about DKG Year 2008 February- Election of an Executive Board. Articles of Association. March- Initiation of International DKG Estonia April- In IT College: Anu Joon ‘DKG – international networking’ July- International DKG Convention in Chicago October- In Publishing House ”Avita”: ”How are textbooks created?” Impressions of convention, annual plan; formulation of committees. December –Christmas Celebrations Year 2009 February - A meeting with the members of Estonian Women’s Studies and Resource Centre (ENUT) March - A visit to Laidoner Museum April – Meeting with P. Kreitzberg in the Riigikogu. A visit to Swedish Sigma Chapter. May – A meeting with Norwegian and Swedish DKG members June – In Tallinn Co-educational School: Presentations by T.Aunin and M. Sild August - Anu Sepp was awarded a Norwegian DKG grant. European DKG Conference in Oslo September – In Ääsmäe Basic School and Ääsmäe Community Centre: Impressions of Oslo conference. October – In Miina Härma Gymnasium: A Regional English Language Coordinator Lisa Harsbarger’s presentation November - European Forum in Amsterdam, participated by A. Joon December – A meeting with Beta Chapter applicants in Pärnu. Year 2010 January – At Beta Chapter’s meeting in Pärnu February – In Tallinn University: The museum of Estonian Pedagogy. M.Torm ’The history of kindergartens’ March - DKG Estonia Annual Conference: ‘Teachers’ training courses’. M. Torm ‘Pre-school education and its representatives’; Sigrun Klara Hannesdottir ’DKG International; A.Sepp ’If school sings, the nation sings’; The initiation of Beta Chapter; Charity Lottery for orphans. April – In Tallinn University of Technology: M. Viigimägi ’Health Improvement’ July - DKG International Convention in Spokane August – In Laitse Castle and Tauno Kangro’s Granite villa: M.Saar becomes Alfa Chapter President. October - Guided tour to Estonian National Museum in Tartu November - European Forum in Germany participated by A. Ariste December – Guided tours in the Library of Tallinn University of Technology and Radiology Centre of North Estonia Medical Centre (PERH). Year 2011 January – In Keila Gymnasium: Plans for Annual Conference; E.Vaab ‘Introduction to interior design’ March – DKG Estonia Annual Conference ’Literacy in the 21st century’. Elections of DKG Estonia State President and Executive Board.

3 Years of DKG International Estonia - Chronology