Welcome to SLA
I am delighted to be writing to you from the library at SLA. I flew in today and braved the very cold, very windy streets to get to the school before they finished for the day. I cannot express enough, how very glad I am that I did. The students here are delightful, bright eyed, well spoken, active and engaged young people. I was greeted at the door by many eager faces, one young lady, Rugeiatu Bah, came to my aid while trying to navigate the door, and offered me a tour. She helped me store my luggage and whisked me away to the rooms of the school. Her language and reverence for all the workings of ‘her’ school was refreshing. We observed language, civics and economics, science (many types but I have to get specific names), technology, drama, and many others. My favorite was the last block of the day. Ruge wanted to share her science class because, “her peers were presenting their scientists today”. Her pride in that room and their work was palpable. Here we are in the hallway. More learning awaits for both of us. Thank you Educon for the warm welcome.
My tour guide Ruge.
I attended EduCon online last year and was amazed by the information shared and dialogue exchanged. This year, with many of my twitter compadres chatting it up in advance, I began to wonder if I might be able to find a way there as well. Then one of my graduate school partners commented the other night about how she was able to participate in a new training opportunity. She shared, “This program has made me much more pro-active, I decided that when I want to do something it doesn’t hurt to ask.” What can you lose if you ask? Far less than if you don’t. Watching the line up and participant list for EduCon2.2 expand made me wonder if this advice would work for me. It couldn’t hurt!
I asked my principal if the school could help with the costs but, I waited till this week. Travel outside of the state is limited and I need to take next Friday off – another not very popular scenario. The bottom line is – a green light was given to me with the promise from the county to help with as much of the cost as they can. This morning before school I booked everything: my hotel, airplane, and registration. It felt wonderful to click those submit buttons. I can’t get there till midday Friday but I will not miss any scheduled session. Among the gifted educators are Alec Couros, Dean Shareski, Chris Lehmann, Susan Nussbaum-Beach, Liz Davis, Lisa Thumann, Jackie Gerstein, Bill Ferriter, and Alice Barr. I have met several of these folks, but these and many others on the attending list I know only from Twitter, where their support and conversation has been invaluable to me. I can’t wait to meet them in person.
My school is an innovative one. We teach together in a powerful way; the axioms of EduCon 2.2 fit perfectly with our goals for our students. Let the learning begin!
The Axioms
Guiding Principles of EduCon 2.2
1) Our schools must be inquiry-driven, thoughtful and empowering for all members
2) Our schools must be about co-creating — together with our students — the 21st Century Citizen
3) Technology must serve pedagogy, not the other way around.
4) Technology must enable students to research, create, communicate and collaborate
5) Learning can — and must — be networked.
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Themocracy