Greetings from across the ocean! I'm writing this blog from the airport in Athens, Greece as I wait for my return flight to the USA. I had the pleasure of attending the European PTA Convention in Garmisch, Germany.
What an awesome experience. PTA National Secretary-Treasurer, Betsy Landers, and I were fortunate to represent the mainland.

Some of you may not be aware that we actually have PTAs and PTSAs in Europe, but we do. They're located on military installations at the Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS for short). The EPTA President, Wendy Dean, and her team did a superb job hosting the convention. People attended from Germany, London, Italy...all over Europe.

In addition to meeting with convention attendees, we had an opportunity to dialogue with DoDDS' leadership and explore how we can reactivate the PTAs in the Pacific (Japan, Korea, etc.).

The needs and challenges facing our military and civilian families serving the country abroad are different than being on the mainland. Our incoming President, Chuck Saylors, has helped us all understand the need to provide more support to these families in the US and abroad.

Our trip also included a school visit which was quite intriguing. We visited Garmisch Elementary, one of the smaller schools in the EPTA. They don't even serve hot lunch...children must bring their own.

Of course we had the good fortune to have great weather and fantastic food including the German staple, schnitzel. If you check Betsy's or my Facebook page, you'll find a host of photos uploaded during our visit. Oh, if you're not on Facebook, you should be. It's a wonderful tool and great way to stay engaged and connected with people around the world. It's also a great way to stay connected to PTA! http://www.pta.org

While I left Germany, I remained in Europe on vacation and visited France (Strasbourg), Italy (Venice, Florence & Rome) and Greece (Santorini). As I attempted to disconnect and disengage from work, I was continually mindful of the education crisis we face in the United States. The average European I met, regardless of the country, spoke anywhere from 3-5 languages. We've come a long way as a country, but we still have a long way to go.





Thanks for following my travels. You can also become a fan on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Parent-Teacher-Association/16682202028#/pages/Byron-V-Garrett/74863141241

Stay tuned to see what's next.

Labels: blog, Byron V. Garrett, CEO, DoDDs, EPTA, Europe, Germany, Military families

I just got back from an altitude training camp in Sun Valley, Idaho, but it was a break from all my traveling and I got a chance to see my Mom. Even amidst my training, I love spending time with her especially when she cooks for us all. Such a treat!

Michael wasn’t in Sun Valley with me, but was sending me workouts while I was away and my dry land workouts were intense as always. Now, it’s back to Florida with Michael pacing around the pool as I prepare for Nationals and World Champ Trials coming up in August.

If you’ve read my book, you know I’m crazy about staying fit and working out. Having a goal like the Olympics or World Championships really motivates me, but I think it’s so important to stay active any way you can.

Our kids are lucky to have physical fitness in schools and enough energy to run around all day when they aren’t glued in front of the television, but as adults it’s important not only to set a good example, but to stay healthy by exercising every day.

On PTA.org, there are tons of ways to help your kids stay active and support physical education in schools. While I get letters and emails everyday from fans telling me how much I motivate them to stay fit, don’t forget about the importance of motivating your kids to do the same.

I hope everyone had a Happy Mother’s Day and don’t forget to vote for the PTA on Facebook!

I recently attended the SC PTA Convention in Greenville, SC. It was a tremendous opportunity to return to the state where I finished high school and where my folks currently live.

I graduated from Seneca HS just outside of Clemson and US Senator Lindsey Graham was my mock trial teacher. My father, a United Methodist Pastor, has held appointments across the state and he and my mom currently reside in Camden, just outside of Columbia.

Returning to Greenville was special because it's the first place I moved after undergrad and began my corporate career. During that time I developed some great friendships that I still cherish today.

The SC PTA arranged for me to visit 4 schools in Greenville County as well as meet with Dr. Fisher, Superintendent of Schools. Greenville is fortunate in that every school has a PTA. One school we visited has 900 PTA members out of a 1200 student population. That's awesome for an elementary school.

I also visited an amazing high school and middle school, both with excellent Principals. Mr. Brooks at Southside HS is relatively new with this being his first principalship, but he gets parental involvement and sees the PTA as his support base and leading contributor to the success of his students. Ms. Cox is a veteran Principal with a stellar reputation and is making things happen in a significant way on her campus as evident by the number of parents (new and old) who joined us for a chat. She and her dog gave me a tour of the school which was a special treat.

A key highlight of my visit was the opportunity to tour Washington Center, a school for students with special needs...especially those deemed medically fragile. I encourage anyone who doesn't understand the issues that face our schools in trying to serve this unique population to visit this school. Amazing doesn't even describe the staff, facility, students and parents at this school. Talk about meeting the needs of all children. You would have been in awe as Gregory, a blind student, navigated his way around campus and was taking a typing class; or experiencing Jessie giving us a tour on his adapted tricycle. If you really WANT to get a handle on disparities, student needs, test scores and the spirit of achievement visit Washington. We're often times setting academic standards for students to meet and forget that for some of our students simple being able to chew, walk or talk is achievement in and of itself. Kudos to Wanda, Linda and the entire staff for a job not only well done, but done well.

Special thanks to Phil Clark and the entire SC PTA for the welcome reception, coordination of the radio and TV interviews, school visits, an excellent conference and even the BMW X6 that they secure for my use while there.

Get in to it SC. You have much to be proud of, including our incoming National President.







Note: You can join Byron’s Facebook fan page if you’d like to stay updated with his busy schedule and work on behalf of America’s children in between blog posts. Check it out here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Parent-Teacher-Association/16682202028#/pages/Byron-V-Garrett/74863141241