This summer I had the amazing opportunity to attend two ED Camps - one in Michigan and one, a little closer to home, in Hilliard. There are so many things that make these professional opportunities special:
1. They are FREE! Teacher professional development that is completely free! Unbelievable, right? Since the sessions are facilitated by teacher participants there is no cost to attend. The only need is a building willing to host and teachers willing to participate. (Vendors for lunch and snacks are also appreciated.)
2. They are completely teacher led! My favorite part of EdCamp is the teachers who participate. All are willing to share their wonderful ideas and contribute to the conversation. All session topics are posted to "the board" in the morning by teachers willing to facilitate the conversation. And it is truly facilitating - there is no pressure "to present" - it is truly a collaborative conversation among professionals.
3. Connections with wonderful, dedicated educators! Putting real faces to Twitter handles! Face to face conversations with virtual friends! Having dinner with education celebrities (Donalyn Miller)! Laughing hysterically during the car ride with colleagues who become real friends!
The literacy learning at nErD Camp in Michigan was second to none. During this two day "un-conference" I added at least 40 titles to my To-Read List, developed my understanding of argument writing, had an opportunity to discuss Literacy Coaching with teachers who have experience and completed a 5K (walking) through the mud.
EDCampILE14 in Hilliard allowed me to focus on infusing technology into literacy learning. Throughout the day I was able to learn about Google Classroom (so excited for this), Google Apps for Education, the Global Read Aloud, and the Storybox Project. During this conference I also took the leap and facilitated a conversation focused on creating a literacy community in a middle school.
I am so excited for nErD Camp 2015 and will keep my eyes open for any other ED Camp opportunities that may arise!
- Rita Shaffer
1. They are FREE! Teacher professional development that is completely free! Unbelievable, right? Since the sessions are facilitated by teacher participants there is no cost to attend. The only need is a building willing to host and teachers willing to participate. (Vendors for lunch and snacks are also appreciated.)
2. They are completely teacher led! My favorite part of EdCamp is the teachers who participate. All are willing to share their wonderful ideas and contribute to the conversation. All session topics are posted to "the board" in the morning by teachers willing to facilitate the conversation. And it is truly facilitating - there is no pressure "to present" - it is truly a collaborative conversation among professionals.
3. Connections with wonderful, dedicated educators! Putting real faces to Twitter handles! Face to face conversations with virtual friends! Having dinner with education celebrities (Donalyn Miller)! Laughing hysterically during the car ride with colleagues who become real friends!
The literacy learning at nErD Camp in Michigan was second to none. During this two day "un-conference" I added at least 40 titles to my To-Read List, developed my understanding of argument writing, had an opportunity to discuss Literacy Coaching with teachers who have experience and completed a 5K (walking) through the mud.
EDCampILE14 in Hilliard allowed me to focus on infusing technology into literacy learning. Throughout the day I was able to learn about Google Classroom (so excited for this), Google Apps for Education, the Global Read Aloud, and the Storybox Project. During this conference I also took the leap and facilitated a conversation focused on creating a literacy community in a middle school.
I am so excited for nErD Camp 2015 and will keep my eyes open for any other ED Camp opportunities that may arise!
- Rita Shaffer