Last week was an amazing week with my Kenan Fellows. I was able to learn, bond, and develop in so many ways. My professional development ranged from personal growth, professional growth, and peer bonding. Spending time and being taught by individuals with like minds made for an awesome week and experience.

One of the strategies I learned last week I plan to implement over the next school year will include technology and the parent involvement strategies. There were several technology websites, pointers, and new approaches to implementing technology into my curriculum. Parent involvement has always been a work in progress for my 7th grade team; this year I plan to use the power of three, student led conferences, and MAINTAINING an open communication with my parents to increase community involvement.

Professional development sessions can sometime be very tricky when keeping the participants involved. Last week was a week FULL of hands-on participants who seemed to enjoy the presentations. I sat through some very engaging PDs but if I had to pick one session as my least favorite it would be the “Project Based Learning as a Differentiation Strategy”. The presenter was well organized with a beautiful presentation but the information was not targeted toward offering feasible information for my students.

I did find EdCamp as the MOST beneficial experience at NCCAT! There are notes to go with each session, EVEN if I did not go to that session. EdCAMP is also teacher/participant driven. ALL of our sessions were determined through a survey of our interest. This was my first time participating in EdCamp sessions and I definitely am going to participate in others. I am interested in bringing mini EdCamp sessions to my school as a in house PD.

NCCAT set a very high outcome for future professional developments. There were several components to the NCCAT experience. There was the PD as a teacher, PD for fellows’ expectations and outcomes, and PD for team building. We NEVER had any time to stop and wonder why were we here. Every session was geared to increasing our toolbox to better prepare for the upcoming school year. After every session my mind was having a hard time down shifting from all of the information presented. The main difference between last week’s PDs and others I have attended would be the useful information, structure of presentations, choices of PDs, and the level of engagement.

After reflecting on last week’s PD opportunity I am honored to say I am a Kenan Fellow who has experienced what I call the best PD in my 10 years of teaching. The STAFF was second to none with the beautiful environment, professionalism, kind gestures, and phenomenal care.