Wow what a week! After finishing the Des Moines Literacy Institute, I spent an amazing two days in Omaha with an incredible group of ELL/ESL teachers talking about the "PROMISE" of equity, differentiation, and literacy for all students. I then jetted off to Washington DC for the annual National Educational Computing Conference better known as NECC.
For the past year or so, I have been hearing my Edublogger and Twitter friends speak about NECC. It did not take me long to conclude that NECC has become the MUST attend event. For years, conferences have been an exciting part of my professional growth. I have looked forward and have been enriched by the learning that has come form my attendance at IRA, NCTE, and ASCD.
But this conference was like no other on so many levels. Unlike past conference experiences, where I had a one shot chance to see and hear from the great voices and experts who have inluenced my work; I was meeting my network of influencers. Many whom I now consider my colleagues, mentors, and friends. It was like a family reunion. The relationships that have developed are hard to explain, even make sense of at times. When I shared with my husband that I would be sharing a room with two ladies that I had never met in person, I must admit it seemed strange to describe out loud. "Honey...you don't understand. It really is okay. She is coolcatteacher- trust me, I am safe" . I knew that I was not meeting strangers. I was more than safe. I felt immediately welcomed by friends to a family that I am so amazed and honored to belong to.
Rarely am I at a loss for words. Talking about teaching, learning, and education is like breathing to me, yet I have sat in front of a blank computer screen for three days trying to find the exact words to represent what this experience has been like for me and why this matters for you; especially if you were unable to attend.
First, I believe that every learner, every human being needs to feel this supported and valued. Life is too short to go through the trials and tribulations without a "network" of amazing individuals that take the journey with you. I have talked about the importance of having a PLN, but not near enough. Knowing you are a part of something bigger, knowing that you have a place to ask questions, be challenged, collaborate, and learn risk free is priceless. We have the power and the tools available for EVERY teacher to experience this kind of learning in this kind of community.
Second, I could not help thinking about how school would change for kids if they had an opportunity every day to connect with other like minded learners, share ideas, offer support, and share that work with a bigger audience in both formal and informal ways. Again, we have the power and the tools to make that happen.
Learning in this way is exhilarating, enlightening, challenging, and contagious. This conference to me was not about the tools, even though I enjoyed hearing about the latest and greatest gizmos and gagets, it was unequivocally about the people.
The power to transform schools is about harnessing this feeling, and creating conditions in our classrooms where ALL learners (that includes the teacher) can't wait to wake up in the morning and do not want to go to bed at night because they do not want to miss a second of a conversation, an experience, or an opportunity to learn and grow from another. Learning so powerful that you would and could give up sleep (and I soooo love my sleep), forgo shopping (and you know I love my shoes), and even miss a meals because the learning experience is more delicious that all that combined!! This got me wondering...
- When is the last time you described a learning experience in this way?
- When is the last time your students described learning to be like this?
- When was the last time you felt valued by your contributions to someone else's learning?
- When was the last time you felt challenged, motivated, excited, and ready to change the world?
I hope you said yesterday! If not, that is a problem that is far greater than lack of technology or sub-par curriculum. If we do not see learning as transformational, life altering, passionately exciting...how are we going to expect that our kids will see learning differently?
There is still lots to process about the "content" of the three days. I will share the tools, the wise words, and some projects that I am pondering to bring learning like this directly to our classrooms. But for now...I am going to bask in the learning joy.
Two words for me: UNBELIEVABLE UNBELIEVABLE!
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