5. A chance to meet (and hear speak) educational leaders and/or speakers such as retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Maya Angelou, Grant Wiggins, Jay McTighe. This year all three persons mentioned either presented or spoke at the conference. I was particularly excited to meet one of the modern day pioneers of education unit planning Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins. I was especially touched by Maya Angelou’s speech about educators being the “rainbow” in so many children’s day.