During TCEA this week one thing is certainly becoming more and more clear to me. For me, this week has not been about learning something new nearly as much as it has been about making connections.
I am lucky to work in a district that by educational technology standards is ahead of the game. I cannot say that I have been wowed by any “next big thing”, nor have I been overwhelmed with new knowledge. I certainly have come across some great new ways to incorporate our existing technology. I have added some tips to help teachers incorporate technology into their classrooms. The sessions themselves do not carry the same awe-inspiring weight they once did, however. The team I work with and my PLN do a great job of keeping me up-to-date and inspired.
By far, the most valuable things taken away from this week are the connections I make with other educators. As much as I get from Twitter and the rest of social media, there is still nothing quite like a face to face meeting. Making that personal connection with others makes a difference. It recharges me and allows me to refocus on the big picture of what my job, my passion, is.
I need to make sure that I am considering that when working with my own family of teachers. I can get distracted with all the other tasks and too quickly resort to a quick email, hand-out, or video to solve a problem. Even though these mthods can often quickly solve a problem, the personal connections we make is what builds and inspires those around us. Make a connection…be someone’s inspiration!
