This was a year of firsts for me, both personally and professionally. I began the year teaching a whole new grade, one that I had not anticipated. But I ran with it and quite enjoyed the challenge of learning a new curriculum and discovering what older students were capable of. I took on many roles within my school district, among them was facilitating the Discovery Education Ambassador program after a colleague was unable to continue. I also volunteered to pilot a new digital assessment tool and participate in a new method of reporting student learning to parents. I opened up my classroom to visitors from all over the globe. I also gave my first Ignite speech at our Surrey District Engaging Digital Learners dinner series. I presented in front of over 200 fellow educators that included our Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent and Directors of Instruction! I even volunteered to host a table and give my Ignite speech at the Global Education Day at ISTE2014 in Atlanta. I facilitated workshops on Discovery and Inquiry Learning, I moderated Twitter chats and participated in many Google hangouts sharing my love of teaching and learning! BUT, these learning experiences did nothing to prepare me for my participation in DENSI2014 Even though I took on many leadership roles within my district and may appear to be an extrovert, I am not. I am an introverted leader and I struggled at DENSI2014.
You see, DENSI2014 in Nashville was also a bunch of firsts for me: the first time I made a crazy video where I was totally out of my comfort zone, the first time I had travelled by myself, the first time I stayed in a hotel alone, the first time I had gone to a conference by myself, the first time I went to a week long institute…... where I knew no one. I had made a few casual acquaintances during ISTE2014 and had met Dean, Porter and Chad at other Discovery events but I had never gone anywhere solo. Everyone was kind and helpful but still I struggled. Struggled to find my place among so many AMAZING educators who all seem to know each other and have history. I had heard so many stories about the DEN family and the powerful connections that everyone had with each other and I definitely witnessed these relationships but I struggled to put myself out there enough to jump in. I think this is the first time this year that I didn’t jump into something. I’m not sure why. All I know is, I struggled.
One thing that I do know is that I learned many new tools and had an opportunity to share of the things I learned through being an Ambassador Lead last year. I think my favourites were Connie’s Green Screen workshop, Lea Anne’s Coding Workshop, the DENSpeaks speeches, the session on the new look for Discovery,the Maker Faire, and of course the Nashville tour day. I learned a lot not only about education tools but about myself, as a person and an educator. I just wanted to say a special thanks to Sandy, Terra Lee and the rest of the Canadian team for welcoming me with open arms and to Karen Z. and the rest of our DENmazing Race team for the fun memories(my first firefly siting!) and for Kristin Magee for all the laughs, smiles and hugs! And of course, to the amazing Porter and all the folks at Discovery for the wonderful opportunity to learn with the best!
And another first for me blogging….I’m not much of a writer and would prefer a conversation but this post has been poking at me since I returned home. Phew!
So ultimately DENSI2014 taught me more about myself and also allowed me a window into how many of my introverted students may feel about their classroom community. I now have a deeper understanding and more empathy for the introverted students in my class and for that I am thankful!! If I had it to do again would I do it differently? Well, I am hoping that I will have the opportunity to JUMP at DENSI2015 because now I have a whole year to build relationships on Twitter and Facebook with all the amazingly talented folks that I saw at DENSI2014!!
