FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 13, 1999
For more information contact:
Bob Reap, Co-Director
Teachers.Net http://teachers.net/
SAN DIEGO, CA -- SAN DIEGO, CA - Teachers.Net isn't just the most sprawling and popular Internet gathering place for educators from all over the world, it appears to be one of the most effective community-building influences on and off the Internet. Since its creation in 1996, the site has spawned numerous real-life gatherings of educators who wish to convert their virtual friendships into real-life encounters. Beginning with a gathering in Cherokee, North Carolina during the summer of 1998, enclaves of "T.Netters" have formed in several regions of the country.
"These are spontaneous activities, planned entirely by educators who frequent the site," explains Bob Reap, site administrator. "We in the Teachers.Net organization have done nothing to assist or nurture these get-togethers, other than to post announcements before and photos after each event." Reap is quick to add, "But we love what is happening! Some of these groups even arranged for specially made tee shirts commemorating their gatherings."
Director of Promotions Kathleen Carpenter agrees. "These people are so enthusiastic that they are practically doing my job for me by spreading the word from coast to coast that there is something truly unique about Teachers.Net. And it isn't just the dozens of terrific free resources we offer. The warmth and vigor of the tens of thousands who rely on the site for professional and social interaction set Teachers.Net apart from other Internet sites for educators. This is a real phenomenon!"
During this Spring, a proliferation of posts on the Teachers.Net "chatboards" rallied educators by region to "Join us!" as organizers in Florida, Missouri, Texas, California, Virginia posted information about meeting places, accommodations, and activities that made each gathering unique. Mostly social in nature, some itineraries have included organized "field trips" to take in local attractions. Colonial Williamsburg, Old Sacramento, Branson, Missouri were among the sites that saw groups of T.Netters and their families enjoying their various attractions.
The 1999 gatherings found inspiration in accounts of the 1998 event in Cherokee, North Carolina which drew participants from that state as well as Michigan, California, Ohio, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Saudi Arabia and featured a full schedule of activities, including white water rafting. Cyber-friends who admitted to some anxiety before meeting in "the real world," discovered that all came together with a surprising sense of familiarity.
"It was as though we'd known one another for eons," marveled the organizer, known on the Teachers.Net site as Bill T/3/NC. "Any traces of doubt or anxiety I had were swept away and the following days were filled with fun, fellowship and, yes, real adventure, involving everything from riding the rapids in a raft to one of our group winning $800 at Harrah's Casino in Cherokee."
The only obstacle that created a temporary problem for the group in Cherokee was the confusion caused by aliases many of the teachers use when posting on Teachers.Net message boards or chatting in the chatrooms. As is customary on the Internet, many people are known by pseudonyms, or in the case of Teachers.Net, little more than first name with grade level and state abbreviation attached.
"I received a telephone call at home in Connecticut from Cherokee, N.C. during the first morning of their gathering," laughs Kathleen Carpenter. "It was "Jude," frantic that car trouble prevented her from arriving on time for the group's initial meeting place. There she was in a hotel lobby, surrounded by people, any of whom could have been the T.Netters she went to meet. But Jude didn't know what any of the other people in her group looked like, nor did she know any of her cyber-friends' real names! 'I can't very well ask to have the desk page Goose, YENDOR and Dr. Doolittle!'"
Teachers.Net creator, Tony Bott looks with pleasure at the growing collection of autographed t-shirts touting site-inspired gatherings around the country. "I knew I wanted to create something of value that educators could connect with, but this is truly amazing. Bob Reap and I couldn't have imagined this much success three years ago, but we'll take it," he says with a wink.