(Re) Finding your Inspiration at TCEA

This was my second year to attend TCEA. Last year, I attended as a Project Lead the Way teacher. This year, I attended as a Digital Learning Coach.

I felt that I took away much more this year--and would I like to think it was because my “job” depended on it.

As a Digital Learning Coach, I get emails or talk to teachers each day--looking for ideas to do ____________ or an app that can _________________.

I left TCEA inspired to do more.

I was lucky enough to hear from three people that really stood out to me.

1. Angela Maiers (@angelamaiers)--she has so much passion. She spoke in the Digital Lounge which was an open space. I was lucky enough to get a spot on the stairs, where I was able to soak in her message. She gave us t-shirts and encouraged us to “find our genius.” She did a great activity with students and educators where she had us listen to each other for a minute. After the minute was up, we relayed back to our partner what we saw as their genius. Then, we added these verbs to their t-shirts. At the end of her presentation, she had the students read "The You Matter Manifesto." (What a difference this would make if you had your students read this manifesto in class!)

2. Leslie Fisher (@lesliefisher)--she is hilarious. I seriously would love to be friends with Leslie Fisher. She has a witty sense of humor, and has so many great resources. Some of my favorites were: Bloomz and Appear.in. (I am actually going to show a teacher Appear.in today because she wants to do a videoconference with a Senator from Michigan on the Flint Water Crisis.) Leslie presented many different sessions at TCEA, and definitely needed a bigger room each time.

3. George Couros (@gcouros)--he was so inspiring. I secretly loved his boy band music at the start of his presentation. Then, he showed some amazing videos that made you laugh and cry at the same time. One of my favorites was this adorable video where a father sent emails to his daughter, Sophie.

Yes, all three of these folks are pretty “famous” if you are on Twitter. But, what I found was that all three of them had the great qualities that really encompass a good presenter. 

From Angela, Leslie and George, I am able to conclude, the best presenters are those who can show passion, be humorous and inspire others--you will leave people “ready to take on the world.”

And that is how I left TCEA. I was definitely (re)inspired.