Yesterday was my last official work day of the school year and I spent it in the most awesome way possible. I traveled up the road to White Oak Middle School and spent the day learning from the best at the TCEA Area 7 Conference, put on by my good friend and librarian extraordinaire, the ever-fabulous Michelle Cooper.
Our keynote speaker was Shannon Miller. Um, yeah. SHANNON MILLER! Y'all. May I just say that I left the keynote so inspired, so determined, and so ready to really champion for my kids to use their voice and left the first session more excited than ever to be a Future-Ready Librarian. While I've followed her on Twitter, read her blog, and have been involved in the Future-Ready Libraries Facebook group, I had never had the opportunity to meet Shannon until yesterday. What a delightful person! I feel like I gained a friend. She is so sincere and knowledgeable and real.
The breakout sessions were great, too. I went to one that was a Future-Ready conversation, led by Shannon Miller, Mary Kay Wisener, and my friend & mentor Sharon Gullett. One of the things I really loved about this session was the feeling of camaraderie in the room and the support given to folks who are brand-new incoming librarians.
My second breakout session was also led by Shannon Miller and was a celebration of some her favorite innovative things going on in libraries. I left with a list of apps to try and was texting library friends with lists of things they need to try!
I went to a breakout session led by Marsha Edney (also a good friend and such a hoot!) about using green screens. So, I've always thought green screens are cool and all, but I got ideas yesterday on how to use them with classes that could be game-changers for our students. Inspiring! I think I have a place in mind that would be perfect for this in the library. Now to convince the powers that be.
Even my lunch break was enjoyable. I was the lone librarian from my district to attend, so I didn't go with ready-made lunch partners. However, I made a new librarian friend (she is both a new librarian and new friend) and we enjoyed getting to know one another during this time. We've connected on Twitter and I can't wait to see how her year goes.
My last breakout session was led by Andy Adams from Region 7, who was an engaging speaker and again, I left with lists of apps to play with both for creating my own videos and for having students create videos to use in innovative ways.
Our closing speaker was Jamie Donnally who began #globalmakerday which I will totally be participating in from now on. SO COOL. Seriously, anytime a learning day ends with play-do and Bloxels, and 3-D pens you know you've had a good day. This is something to remember in our own days-of-learning with students. Did I mention I came home with the cutest, coolest sphero ever? YAY! for door prizes!
What a day, y'all. What a fabulous, learning-filled, FUN-filled, glorious day to end my school year on just the perfect note.
No comments:
Post a Comment