NCCAT take-aways and highlights #18KFPD

The highlight of my week may seem evident from my first two posts. What I have enjoyed most is coming together with like minded teachers. It was wonderful being able to form bonds with people with educators from across the state of North Carolina. These fellows will now become part of my long term professional learning community. That is a highlight first and foremost.

Beyond that there were several other highlights. I feel that the easiest way to discuss these highlights in through a list.. we will see how long this turns out to be. Sorry reader in advance…

1) Relationships

  • Forming relationships with the 24 other 2018-2019 Fellows. I found my marigolds in the teaching profession.
  • Forming relationships with our different Teams of people throughout the experience (Sphero groups, Scavenger Hunt, Feedback Team) I enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with these groups in Cullowhee and I am especially excited to be part of a group of 5 educators who will support one another through this process.
  • Forming relationships with the Steering Committee. This was incredible because all members have also been Kenan Fellows so they can totally relate to our current experience. They are filled with advice and can articulate how this program has had a direct impact on their teachers and students.
  • Getting to hear expertise from our guest presenters and ask them questions was also really great.

2) App Smackdown. The App Smackdown meant a lot to me because it was a cool way of sharing resources and ideas rapidly. We were all able to share out several ideas in a short period of time. It felt like small pitch presentations, which I very much enjoyed.

3) EdCamp Kenan was a highlight for me because it gave me a voice in this professional development. It also allowed me to learn from the other fellows. The strongest network that we will have this year is each other. It was nice to listen to others experience and to be reminded that I am NOT alone.

4) Myers Brigg Personality Tests. Getting to take the Myers Brigg test again helped me to see how I have changed as a person and teacher. I now better understand that we have natural dispositions but with practice I can improve in certain areas. This workshop was helpful because it reminded me that everyone as a different way of communicating and thinking about things. My students and co-workers alike have different needs and the more I understand about them the better I can serve them.

5) Literacy in STEM was a workshop lead by a former Kenan Fellow, Carson. I particularly appreciated this session because it is an area I am not fluent in. I try to activate learning in literacy for STEM but finding resources and generating ideas on how to go about that is not a strength. Carson offered a few ideas like SWRL and concept circles which I will implement this coming school year.

6) Lastly, Branding a workshop lead by a former Kenan Fellow, Mark Townley. I appreciated the way Mark communicated his ideas. He is calm, enthusiastic, clear, engaging. He represents his brand. He aims to engage his students by being compassionate, relevant, and provide experiential learning. Throughout the week he lived out this brand. While I am still thinking about my own and what I want it to be I was inspired by his message. To have a brand doesn’t mean to place restrictions or confine yourself to an unrealistic expectation. Instead your brand should motivate you to aspire to something everyday with your students and co-workers. That is why I’m not sure if I have found mine yet. I want to figure out a brand that really helps me stay motivated this year. I’ll keep working.

Additionally, I now feel more equipped with awesome ideas. I will surely be filtering through all of the notes, resources, presentations that I have now received for weeks to come. I cannot wait to get started on designing plans!

This PD was intensive, challenging, and enlightening. It does not compare to other professional developments that I have attended in this setting. The duration and the content were intentional and useful. This professional development will have a direct impact on what I do in the classroom and how I approach STEM. In that way it has been the best PD I have attended thus far.

However, I feel it is imperative that I also mention some previous PD experiences that lead me to Kenan Fellows. Last summer I had the opportunity to travel to Yellowstone for ten days with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science. This PD addressed how to intentionally get kids out into nature and to design curriculum specifically engaging kids with the environment. In addition, I attended the international Be The Change conference in Beijing, China which helped me better understand how Design Thinking can help students make a difference in their communities. Both of these professional development experiences were incredible and pushed my career along in different ways than #18KFPD.

I know when this year is done, I will feel different. Having a year long experience and becoming part of an intentional community of educators will surely grow me in ways I cannot even begin to imagine.

As always I am excited for what’s in store.

Ms. A