So, here goes. This is my first blog post!! To be honest, I have certainly participated in blog before. However, this is the first time I have started my own blog. I am not quite sure if this will stick or if this will “withstand the test of time”, yet I have been so inspired by my recent attendance at #edscape, that I needed to take a few “first steps”.
On Saturday morning at 7:00am, I thought about not attending the Edscape Conference. I thought about my two awesome children, who I never seem to have enough time with. I thought about the many observations and reports that would be left undone. I thought about the boxes throughout my house that are waiting to be unpacked. There were so many reasons to just not go. Yet, as I struggle to find my footing in my professional life, I realized that in not going, I would a) let down my colleagues who were probably already on their way, and b) remain in the proverbial silo. Fifteen minutes after my internal fight began, I decided to get going not knowing what the day would hold.
Needless to say, there are not enough words to describe how glad I am that I made the decision to attend this conference. Edscape was beyond my expectations and certainly the inspiration I needed. Keynoter George Couros was amazing! His words reminded me that being connected is not about being a techie genius…instead, being connected is what we all aspire to be. After all, we are all human. Connect.Engage.Inspire.
The rest of the day unfolded with learning from many great presenters as well as networking with my own colleagues. As I thought about all that I was missing at home, I realized that this day was the best Professional Development that I have had since I attended a National Convention. (I still really missed my children!!!) However, it was not just the great presentations. Beyond that, it was the connections that I made to incredible educators…twitter being the catalyst.
I end my first post by saying two final statements…
Thank you: Thank you to George and Eric Sheninger for creating such an opportunity. Thank you to my quickly developing PLN. Thank you to my husband and children for letting mom go! Thank you to the awesome educators I work with each and every day who inspire me to continue learning.
Promises: I promise to connect with others. I promise to take everything one step at a time. I promise to share my excitement with others.
So…that’s it. I did it. First Blog Post done! 🙂
principalcapes 
Great job, Bonnie! I appreciate your insights. Blogging is hard. I started one at the beginning of this school year and despite all the thinking that goes on in my head 24/7, I find it difficult to put those thoughts out there for the world to see. I feel like nothing I have to say can possibly match the likes of a George Couros or Eric Sheninger. But I came away from Edscape thinking…we’re all in this together. Sure some people have more followers or travel the world giving keynotes, but we’re all in this for the kids. So I’m going to try to keep that as my focus. We want our kids to learn and share, so I’m going to try to model that. I wish you luck with your blog. Keep sharing!
Well said! Thank you so much, Anne, for the encouragement. You are right…this is all about the kids. Best wishes!
Bonnie, Great first post! I too enjoyed my day. We need to keep connected in a profession that can sometimes be very self-contained to the classrooms we inhabit. Any educator who is not making connections is not doing what needs to be done for the profession and for the students. Keep blogging! Jeanine
Jeanine, wasn’t Edscape amazing? I agree that teaching can be very isolating. As a principal, I feel this even more. However, with my PLN, I feel different because we do not have to do this alone. We are all here to support each other — all to help students succeed!
When I see someone take a leap and jump into their own learning, it is an awesome feeling. Congratulations on your leap Bonnie! You will be amazed at where it can lead 🙂
P.S. Thank you for your kind words!
Bonnie, Kudos to you for extending your learning at the Edscape conference. All too often we have another reason to put things off. The wonder woman costume on our entryway bulletin board is so fitting for you! You do it all, and model it masterfully!