For twelve days, I traveled from one professional development experience to another. What a blessing! So much fun.
Want to tag along?
The first stop on this journey was the Arkansas Reading Association's summer Council Leadership Institute. A very busy two and half days!
Here, the Board invited local council leaders in for two days of plotting and planning to ensure 2018-2019 is quite the success. Besides being actively involved in the Board, I again will serve as President of my local council. I have a dream...that more of our teachers will be involved within our local council this upcoming year.
May I encourage you to become involved in your local or state literacy organization? Nothing more inspiring than planning events with other literacy leaders! Yes, more to come as we plan our 46th Annual Fall Literacy Conference and our 2nd Annual Online Conference. Fun!
From these two and half days, I flew to Orlando, Florida, to spend three days with fellow National Board Teacher and Arkansas Teachers for National Board Certification Board member at the National Board Academy, an event where the NB Networks meet and plan for the upcoming year. From the moment I arrived, I knew this year would be different as my friend was inspired, engaged, and motivated to re-energize our ATNBC. This began quite the intense several days of birthing a vision. Ever given birth? It's work! But so rewarding. I look forward to seeing this plan come to fruition.
Then, we played. Our last evening there, we visited the Magic Kingdom, my first visit in 25+ years. Fun, indeed!
May I encourage you to become a National Board Certified Teacher? Without a doubt, some of the best personal growth and reflection in which I have ever engaged. Plus, what a group with whom to connect! Powerful! #NBCTstrong!
Following these days, I spent one (of the three offered...but on a very tight schedule) at the Digital Ed Alliance Google Summit, hosted annually in Trumann, AR. There, I presented a session on Collaboration...using Docs, Slides, Classroom. There, I attended sessions and fell further in love with Google Sites (I have moved my website to a Google Site and purchased my own domain name...may check it out here: CafeGillmore).
I had intended to complete Level 1 and 2 of Google Educator in June...hummm...yes, well, where has this summer gone?! Still committed to completing this goal!
May I encourage you to complete this goal with me? This year, we continue further implementing a 1-to-1 endeavor in grades 6-12, so staying abreast of all-things-Google is my goal!
The next morning...way before the break of dawn, I arrived at the airport by 4:00 AM to fly to Austin, TX, to attend the International Literacy Association's annual conference. Friday was a workday for state affiliates...Sat/Sun were conference days...with Monday's being the first annual Children's Literature Day. I soooo enjoyed all days. Attending sessions with the greats...Penny Kittle and Kelly Gallagher...and then attending their sessions...and many others I admire...that was just the cherry on the top of this very delicious cake of continual professional development days.
Children's Literature Day...what a day! Three keynotes (had to miss the last one to catch my flight home...and was I ready...remember, this was Day 12 on the road!)...Author Meetups (seven authors...and seven new books!)...a delicious lunch...and then a meeting with two authors and Jacqueline Stallworth (Twitter: @thebigseablog...she is amazing!).
During this last session, the books presented further inspired two units I want to create and lead/teach with my English 11 class (first time I have taught this grade level in some time...!...) More about this later in the year...as these units will be hosted second semester.
I attended this conference with four others from the Arkansas Reading Association. We accomplished much by networking during much of our time there. Confirmed our January book club with author Michael Shoulders! Yay!
May I encourage you to be a Changemaker? This I want to continue to be this year...with my students, with my peers...for myself. Won't you join me?
Thanks for taking this journey with me!
Please share! What was the best professional development of your summer?
