June 30, 2013 @ Reflection
The flights were non-eventful. I am meeting new people from Derby, which is nice. The six people with whom I are traveling are two teachers from the high school (English & Special Education), two teachers from the middle school (Science & Computer Studies), one elementary music teacher, and an elementary reading facilitator.
Once we arrived in DC, we were shuttled to the hotel, which was helpful, because this city is HUGE. The hotel is very nice. I had just enough time to change clothes and meet my new friends in the hotel lobby so we could grab something to eat before the Opening Keynote.
The Opening Keynote was inspiring. Dr. Sue Szachowicz, the principal from Brockton High School in Massachusetts, presented her school’s demographic and achievement scores. The shift in pedagogy and culture was significant. She titled her presentation, “It’s not about the kids…It’s About the Adults!” Her leadership and initiative are inspiring – the change that has occurred there has been extraordinary. Her focus on literacy was affirming.
The hierarchy of the organization (International Center for Leadership in Education) is apparent as namedropping was hopping. They seem like a big family; either that, or they prioritize brownnosing. :)
Overall, the Opening Keynote was exciting. The conference will definitely be beneficial. I look forward to be informed by the organization’s mission (Rigor, Relevance, Relationships). I hope the conference is rigorous and relevant. I hope I make relationships to network (and continue to network) with other in-district and out-of-district educators.
Once we arrived in DC, we were shuttled to the hotel, which was helpful, because this city is HUGE. The hotel is very nice. I had just enough time to change clothes and meet my new friends in the hotel lobby so we could grab something to eat before the Opening Keynote.
The Opening Keynote was inspiring. Dr. Sue Szachowicz, the principal from Brockton High School in Massachusetts, presented her school’s demographic and achievement scores. The shift in pedagogy and culture was significant. She titled her presentation, “It’s not about the kids…It’s About the Adults!” Her leadership and initiative are inspiring – the change that has occurred there has been extraordinary. Her focus on literacy was affirming.
The hierarchy of the organization (International Center for Leadership in Education) is apparent as namedropping was hopping. They seem like a big family; either that, or they prioritize brownnosing. :)
Overall, the Opening Keynote was exciting. The conference will definitely be beneficial. I look forward to be informed by the organization’s mission (Rigor, Relevance, Relationships). I hope the conference is rigorous and relevant. I hope I make relationships to network (and continue to network) with other in-district and out-of-district educators.
July 01, 2013 @ Reflection
The conference is exciting. There are some big names here...and lots of people. Washington DC is huge. Our hotel is a 5-minute walk to the conference center. The conference center is the Gaylord. And, to that, I say, "Oh my Gaylord!" It. Is. Huge. There is a Botanical Gardens, several restaurants, huge conference rooms, not to mention hotel rooms (which I haven't seen any...but I assume they are there). Today, I went to another opening keynote (by B. Daggett). It was very impressive. He focused on the college and career readiness of students. The amount of students not succeeding in post-secondary education is alarming. Furthermore, skills we are teaching students are not skills future employers are needing, says Daggett.
The morning sessions I attended were Next Generation Assessments and Text Complexity. Next Generation Assessment presentation was extraordinary. In fact, it probably would receive the Silver Medal (according to me). The websites and tools given are helpful in preparing for the Common Core. I am excited to see how these resources develop. The resources I received here are definitely worth sharing. The second session was on text complexity. It was OK. Most of the information she gave us I had already been trained on through the district. This session would have been excellent for a non-Language Arts teacher though.
The afternoon sessions for me were George Reed Middle School (Model School) and Parent Engagement. George Reed was OK. I commend that school with the gains achieved. They definitely are growing and seem to have key players on board. The Bronze Medal (in my opinion) was my afternoon session called, "Strategies for Parent Engagement." This may be my goal this upcoming school year. The tools presented were very helpful. The presenter continued to say, "I have the greatest job in the world...sorry that you do not." He must not know very many people...and he surely doesn't know about my job. :) Aside from his confidence and continual namedropping, he had a lot of great ideas. I am mostly interested in the books he cited. They seem pretty powerful (Side note: I went to the bookstore to see one of the books he was talking about...$83.00....nah...probably not getting that one.).
In the evening, we hopped aboard a ferry and went over to Alexandria, VA. We ate at a fishy place (literally, they sold fish). It was nice. I ordered a lobster. Never in my life have I ever had to shell one of those pesky little buggers. I didn't know how to do it. Oh well...it was good...what I had of it. The eyes were a little creepy, but it was good. They served it with a bib. Ain't nobody (especially a man in his dirty thirties) got time for a bib.
The taxi ride back to the hotel was exciting. A taxi for four was hailed and agreed to take five. Oh, mercy.
The morning sessions I attended were Next Generation Assessments and Text Complexity. Next Generation Assessment presentation was extraordinary. In fact, it probably would receive the Silver Medal (according to me). The websites and tools given are helpful in preparing for the Common Core. I am excited to see how these resources develop. The resources I received here are definitely worth sharing. The second session was on text complexity. It was OK. Most of the information she gave us I had already been trained on through the district. This session would have been excellent for a non-Language Arts teacher though.
The afternoon sessions for me were George Reed Middle School (Model School) and Parent Engagement. George Reed was OK. I commend that school with the gains achieved. They definitely are growing and seem to have key players on board. The Bronze Medal (in my opinion) was my afternoon session called, "Strategies for Parent Engagement." This may be my goal this upcoming school year. The tools presented were very helpful. The presenter continued to say, "I have the greatest job in the world...sorry that you do not." He must not know very many people...and he surely doesn't know about my job. :) Aside from his confidence and continual namedropping, he had a lot of great ideas. I am mostly interested in the books he cited. They seem pretty powerful (Side note: I went to the bookstore to see one of the books he was talking about...$83.00....nah...probably not getting that one.).
In the evening, we hopped aboard a ferry and went over to Alexandria, VA. We ate at a fishy place (literally, they sold fish). It was nice. I ordered a lobster. Never in my life have I ever had to shell one of those pesky little buggers. I didn't know how to do it. Oh well...it was good...what I had of it. The eyes were a little creepy, but it was good. They served it with a bib. Ain't nobody (especially a man in his dirty thirties) got time for a bib.
The taxi ride back to the hotel was exciting. A taxi for four was hailed and agreed to take five. Oh, mercy.
July 02, 2013 @ Reflection
Today is the last full day. This morning I attended another "Model Schools" presentation (A.B. Combs Leadership Magnet). The presenter was excellent. She was a hands-on presenter giving us manipulatives to work with as she presented. This was nice, but I couldn't take notes while I was playing her games. I did get a couple of ideas that I am going to steal (pipe cleaners and paper airplanes).
The second morning session I attended wins the gold. It was called "New-Age Model to Support the 21st Century Learner." It was awesome. It was presented by a non-teacher (gasp) who definitely thinks outside of the box. The only negative about this one was his information and presentation has not been uploaded. ERRR. I hope to get it soon. I may e-mail him. He infused the 21st learner with project-based learning....awesome ideas.
Ate lunch at the same place I have eaten lunch all week long....(Yes, I know the cashier by name....Ivanna!). It's good. It's rained every day so far...
Afternoon session was "Systemwide Focus on Digital Learning." I liked his videos. He had great ideas...presentation was a little dry. He, like the one above, has not shared yet. Following that session, I explored the book store, the conference hub (venders, etc.), and the GayLord. I also saw that one of my tweets hit the big screen. :)
The evening was the highlight of the trip. We purchased tickets for a Moonlight Bus Tour. Our tour guide, Benjamin, was EXCELLENT. He showed us Washington DC like no other. His knowledge of "your capital city (He did say that a lot.)" was impressive. The bus driver, "Miss Michelle" kept us moving (literally and figuratively). She was a ray of sunshine on the rainy and cloudy evening. But, wow...WHAT. A. CITY.
The second morning session I attended wins the gold. It was called "New-Age Model to Support the 21st Century Learner." It was awesome. It was presented by a non-teacher (gasp) who definitely thinks outside of the box. The only negative about this one was his information and presentation has not been uploaded. ERRR. I hope to get it soon. I may e-mail him. He infused the 21st learner with project-based learning....awesome ideas.
Ate lunch at the same place I have eaten lunch all week long....(Yes, I know the cashier by name....Ivanna!). It's good. It's rained every day so far...
Afternoon session was "Systemwide Focus on Digital Learning." I liked his videos. He had great ideas...presentation was a little dry. He, like the one above, has not shared yet. Following that session, I explored the book store, the conference hub (venders, etc.), and the GayLord. I also saw that one of my tweets hit the big screen. :)
The evening was the highlight of the trip. We purchased tickets for a Moonlight Bus Tour. Our tour guide, Benjamin, was EXCELLENT. He showed us Washington DC like no other. His knowledge of "your capital city (He did say that a lot.)" was impressive. The bus driver, "Miss Michelle" kept us moving (literally and figuratively). She was a ray of sunshine on the rainy and cloudy evening. But, wow...WHAT. A. CITY.
July 03, 2013 @ Reflection. Final.
My morning session was "Are you ready for the Technology Demands of the Common Core?" It was OK. The PPT was impressive, but how it tied to the CCCS was not apparent (or at least not to me). It was a lot like the "Systemwide Focus on Digital Learning."
Back to hotel. Packed. Bussed. Airported. Flew. Airported. Flew. Family surprised me at the airport! I sure missed them.
Overall, the conference was very enjoyable. It is exciting though to be in a district where a lot of the great ideas I heard are happening in the classrooms of 260. The ideas and take-aways I have from this conference are great. I am excited to share them with my fellow educators.
Back to hotel. Packed. Bussed. Airported. Flew. Airported. Flew. Family surprised me at the airport! I sure missed them.
Overall, the conference was very enjoyable. It is exciting though to be in a district where a lot of the great ideas I heard are happening in the classrooms of 260. The ideas and take-aways I have from this conference are great. I am excited to share them with my fellow educators.