There are times during my career as an educator where I have been inspired. I will admit that I have fallen victim to my last book, TED talk, discussion with a rock star educator that is doing some amazing things in their schools, and of course the rare professional development. Conferences are a toss up, however. Professional Development in conference form often feels like Death by Slideshow. There are some fantastic speakers, wonderful content, and exciting adventures to embark upon, but I rarely find them in a conference. Usually, I hope to leave a conference with one new idea, one piece of something that is exciting and germane to my kids.
That all changed last year at Deeper Learning 2018. This was a conference that, upon leaving, I knew that I wanted to go back as a presenter. It was not the powerful educators, the keynote speakers, or the revelation that was wandering through High Tech High, speaking with students that were a part of the experience. It was the experience as a whole that changed my philosophy as an educator.
One keynote from 2018:
The opportunity to speak with educators from as far as New Zealand and Japan. To pick the collective conscious of people that only know through their podcasts and blogs, was truly inspiring. Education is about relationships, full stop. Relationships with students, colleagues, families, and community. Too often educators wall themselves off from the larger community. We don’t do the research, lean in, and stretch ourselves as professionals. Being part of the Tarrant Learning Lab this year has opened me professionally to a new new sense of community. Deeper Learning, as a whole, created a sense of community, both personally and professionally, that energized me to truly lean into not who I was as an teacher, but who I wanted to become as a professional. To wander the hallways, viewing the projects, ideas, and see the reimagined spaces broke me out of a creative rut that I did not know that I was in. It affirmed that we, as a brave little state, were headed in a direction that was putting students first. That matters! I also realized that I could stretch myself more, challenge my own status quo, and take students in a direction that was energizing for everyone.
So yes, I am leaving today to present at Deeper Learning 2019. From a professional standpoint, I know that I am walking into an environment that will challenge, inspire, and push me to be the best professional version of myself. I would encourage anyone to seek out professional development that asks you to blow up the mold, to squash the box, and to NOT think like an educator. Find opportunities that ask you to think about what could be possible. I promise, it is worth it.
Mr. H's Not So Secret Classroom 