After I had arrived at the right hotel, previously stopping at the wrong Marriot, I walked in and found another woman who had been running behind. We introduced ourselves and walked into the ballroom together. The keynote speaker at this time was Brent Crawford: I see my professor, her smile calms my nerves of running late, and I sit down in the back of the room. I then knew it would be a great conference...
Keynote Speakers
Hearing the keynote speakers was by far my favorite part of the conference. I have never heard stories of how writers began there career, so this was very interesting. Brent Crawford was absolutely hilarious and I feel bad for laughing at all of his true stories, but it was so true I think you just have to laugh: you can picture yourself in that situation. He filled the entire room with smiles and good energy to start the conference off and his story was truly simple and real, and that is what students need in literature, something that they can relate to.
The other keynote speaker, Rachel Hawkins, had a great story as well. I thought that her story was intriguing because not only did her husband believe in her, but she believed in herself enough to trust that her writing would do what she needed it to do for her and for others.
Both stories would be great for students to hear so that they understand the power of writing and what it can do for the individual person: not only the writer, but the reader even more so. The power of writing and literature is what many English teachers want to pass on to students. This would be a great way to connect that idea to their everyday life by having actual authors tell students their stories of writing through life. Students need to understand that they can write for many reasons other than to fulfill a teachers wants and get a grade in class, it should occur outside of the classroom and should satisfy a students needs as a person. Writing is a great tool for SOOOO many things I couldn't even begin to list them.
Breakout Sessions
I attended Co-teaching: The Power of Two, with Kathy Whepley and Kelly Frederick. I love the idea of being able to use two professionals in a classroom. I know how beneficial it would be for students if every class had at least two 'teachers,' there is much more flexibility with students needs, with the lesson, and so much more. If I could have another teacher, tutor, para, or student teacher in the room to help I would be ecstatic. Possibilities are unlimited within the classroom, and with two it is easier to make it happen.
Literature Circles, with Maeve Bolin is the other that I attended. This was a very cool lesson plan that can be implemented into many classrooms. It is has many parts for open ended learning. The lesson occurs over a period of time and students are given jobs to fulfill while reading texts, analyzing different parts with each job. This lesson allows students to discover the power of reading by discussing texts and meanings in ways that are relevant to them. The discussions are students led. I like the idea behind letting go of control within the class and putting students in charge of what they learn in a text. It is interesting to see what can come from self discovery. I will definitely be incorporating this into my class and also into my semester plan (YAY!).
Networking within any career is extremely important, but even more so with teaching. I talked to so many people and even got to speak to Brent Crawford briefly after lunch. It was awesome and inspiring on so many levels to be able to talk with people with such great ideas and real life experiences. As a teacher it is important to keep growing and learning with your students. People can show you so many cool things that you never thought of, its all about looking at life from multiple perspectives.
Anything Else?
This conference gave me so much to use for teaching and as well as make me wish I had a class to use them in. I think conferences get you more excited about what you do and it also shows you the reason why it is important for you and others to be a teacher. I was inspired throughout the whole thing and am excited to implement these new ideas into my class.
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