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Worth the Ride

I spent most of today, with Vicki Day, at a workshop provided by New York State ASCD and New York Learning Forward entitled, Shifting and Evolving Professional Learning in 21st Century Schools. We both drove over 2 hours to attend this event.

We were asked to give a keynote about social media and school administration. We were invited by Dr. Valerie Kelsey. She had called me a few weeks back after reading our article in SAANYS' Vanguard Magazine. It was nice to know that something we had written actually resonated with someone we had not had the honor of meeting yet. We knew the information meant something to each other. But, to have someone (outside your circle or PLN) reflect on the piece and then reach out to us was a neat feeling!

Using that article as a guide, we developed a keynote around the main ideas of the article. Our primary goal was to show the impact of a PLN on our own professional practice. We both have said it before. A PLN can not be underestimated. In the rehearsals leading up today, we both shared our notes about members of our PLN. Sure, we talked about many amazing apps that can be used to flip communication and practice flipped leadership (including smore.com, touchcast, remind, and brainshark). But, more than that...we talked about the people of our PLN that have enriched our lives.

  • When we talked about school branding, we ended up talking about Tony Sinanis.
  • When we talked about flipped communication, we shared our interactions with Peter DeWitt.

We are grateful for the opportunity today provided us. We hope our message of connectedness resonated with someone in the group -- even if it is in a very small way. That's what being a part of a PLN is all about.  Joining twitter just over a year ago has proven to be worth the ride. I am looking forward to where the road takes me next. Today took some bravery on our part, but we did it. 




For a look at the material and resources (all hyperlinked) that were used today, please click here. 

P.S. THANK YOU Vicki Day for being an incredible partner today! You rock, sister. (Another PS...add this song to your playlist: ) ).

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 16, 2014 at 9:08 PM

    I so wish I could have been there. Once again you show why you are great. You highlight and speak about others and not yourself! I am proud of you for giving that address! That is no small feat! Congratulations and allow yourself to feel good about what you did. You deserve it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJuly 16, 2014 at 9:19 PM

      But you WERE there! :) At least in spirit, anyways. :) We are thankful for the opportunity today presented on so many level.s

      Delete
  2. Aaron DavisAugust 6, 2014 at 7:22 AM

    Sometimes it seems that people and relationships are too often the forgotten element to being a connected educator. I have come across some great ideas, but each of which is so often linked to a person or a particular situation. Sadly, teachers are sometimes told to connect as if it is something simply done and then it is finished. However, it is better considered as a verb http://readingwritingresponding.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/pln-verb-or-noun.html I recently reflected on my year blogging and was astounded how many people have influenced me, let alone the ones that have gone unmentioned http://readingwritingresponding.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/influences-and-inspiration-reflection.html Thanks Lisa for sharing your ride.

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