It's fall and we are all back to work, the good work of teaching the next generation of students. One of the great things about teaching is watching our young ones become older ones. It's fun to see last year's eighth graders performing in the marching band and watching last year's student teachers begin teaching. I am very proud of my students who have become committed teachers and who are doing such good work in our profession.

I am grateful to all of you who have expressed your appreciation for the TBA Convention. It has truly been a wonderful experience to be part of the TBA Board of Directors, and I want to thank all of my colleagues on the Board for their great work. Next year's convention is already taking shape, and Rey Meza is doing a terrific job as President.

I was inspired once again at the convention. It was wonderful to hear Dick Floyd talk about his mentors and inspirations. Bryce Taylor reminded all of us about the essence of both teaching and learning. Eugene Corporon's superb concert and the great musicians of the Air Force Academy Band were icing on the cake. Isn't it astonishing how many great teachers there are in Texas? What a wonderful place to work!

I was also thrilled with the number of young teachers who came to the convention. This is the future of our profession, and we need to invest in them if we are to have the kind of future we want for our children and our students. Did you know that this was the largest TBA Convention ever? There were over 2,400 active members in San Antonio this July The total count, including students, spouses, exhibitors and sustaining members was over 6,500. One of the reasons there are so many great teachers in Texas is that you are willing to devote time and energy, even in the summer, to continue to learn and grow.

However, I have had a hard time since the convention. One of my students, Isaiah Ray, on his way to Leander to begin teaching, was tragically killed in an automobile accident. Isaiah was a luminous person, who I, and everyone who knew him, loved with all our heart. He was a high school student of Brian Gibbs and Frank Troyka, who inspired him to teach. He was to work with Amy Allison and Chris Yee, who, along with all of Isaiah's friends and family are grieving his loss. He was already a wonderful teacher and an inspiration to many.

I know that most of you have gone through the same experience. It is the hardest part of being a teacher. When you really invest in students, you have to love them. Losing them is really heart wrenching. However, we need to keep loving and giving our students everything we can, and remember that each moment we have with them is precious. I am going back to school remembering that is what Isaiah would have wanted me to do. I will love my students, because that is what is right to do, and I will do it to honor the memory of Isaiah Ray.