Today was day two of the third annual 10 Tech Summer Conference, a wonderful learning and sharing opportunity for our staff. This year, for the first time, we also have people from other districts participating in the sessions. Over 100 people are attending this year, testimony to the need for technology support and to the quality of the learning sessions.
I am proud of the focus on this work and the commitment of so many of our staff to spend the first few days of break continuing their learning. We have many people to thank for this great opportunity beginning with Kimberly Allison. Kimberly is the vision and commitment behind the summer conference and spends many hours planning, coordinating, and supporting those that teach sessions. Of course, it takes many others to put this learning opportunity together and to ensure that it operates smoothly. Three people that provide much of this support are Walt Szklarski, Ethan Smith, and Cindy Barnhart.
Each day of the session there are many options to choose from taught by different members of our staff. Thank you for your commitment and willingness to share your experience and expertise to support the learning of your colleagues.
I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the contribution of Dawn Wakeley in supporting the work of Walt, Kimberly, and Ethan. She provides guidance and serves as their coach as they supply leadership for embedding technology into the learning experiences provided in our classrooms. We have created a highly effective instructional team to support this work that will be enhanced next year with the addition of Christine Thurston.
The team is now shifting their focus to plan for a community technology conference where parents, students, and community members can come together in a new learning experience.
Thanks!
1 comment:
Thank you for the kind words, Mike. You're right--without the help of so many, this conference couldn't happen. Another factor for the conference's success is working in a place that the provides both the autonomy and support necessary to have someone say, "Hey, why don't we put on a tech conference?"and have it happen.
But, really, the main factor to the success of this conference is the teachers and staff who CHOOSE to spend some of their first days of summer learning. Inside. Without pay, and only the hope of winning a prize. It reaffirms the fact that we (as humans) are programed to learn, that learning can be and should be the reward in itself. If it were up to me, they would have all "won" an iPod Touch at the end of the three days. They certainly all deserved it, but boy am I moved by the fact that they didn't need a tangible reward to make the days worth it. We work with some wonderful people. When I win the lottery, you'll all get an iPod Touch! Thank you teachers and staff for making this week one of the highlights of our whole year!
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