Why I can't go to #ISTE without my students...

#ISTE14

We just returned from #ISTE14 in Atlanta… and I’m feeling exhausted, excited, and inspired!  It recharges my batteries every year; this year was no different!  I love learning from so many amazing teachers.  And by teachers - I mean the 11-year-old kind - those young people usually known as “students.”

 I can’t go to ISTE without my kids - my Oak Hill eLeaders.  You see, they are my greatest teachers.  I have learned more from them in our past three years together than words can begin to describe.  They have changed my life in countless ways, because they’ve been my greatest teachers.  We’ve logged a lot of miles together, traveling to various conferences around the country to teach teachers how to use techie tools.  It’s been such a blast!

2014 marked our team’s second trip to ISTE.  Last year, we made the journey to San Antonio.  Check out our pics here.

Experiencing #ISTE14 through their eyes is much more magical than through my own, narrow lens.  Why?

They ask questions.
They explore.
They laugh.
They have FUN!
They tell their story.
They share what they know because they’re not scared.
They take greater risks.
They lead.
They teach.
They are BRAVE.

(Let’s be honest.  Traveling through the vendor hall is much more fun with them as well, but I almost lost them forever when they found the Minecraft booth!)

Check out more pics here...

 During our poster session, we had such thoughtful conversations with people from all across the country.  It was so fun to step aside, let the Oak Hill eLeaders shine and do their thing!  Isn’t that what we’re called to do as teachers?  Empower them and get out of their way!




In his book, Drive, Dan Pink challenges us to provide opportunities in which our students have autonomy; we must give them choices and let them make decisions and own their learning. They need time to practice so they can "get good" at such tasks, which he identifies as mastery.  They also need to feel that they are a part of a bigger project, which he calls purpose.  What better way to provide such opportunities, than to collaborate and travel to conferences to teach others?  

 As I reflect on our experiences at ISTE, I recognize the need for more support for those of us who sponsor student tech teams.  I’m on a mission to create some opportunities for us "Tech Team Coaches" to connect and learn from each other.  Stay tuned.  :-)

 Have you taken your students to conferences before?  If so, I’d love to hear from you.  If you haven’t, I want to challenge you to consider it.  There is so much we can all learn from them.  Sometimes I think we become guilty of talking so much about students, but we don’t take the time to stop and listen to them.  We don’t take the time to learn from them.  Let’s change that.

Thanks, #ISTE14, for more wonderful memories.  My brain hurts and my heart is full.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.