I’m so glad we had this time together

Just six weeks ago I began a professional development journey that changed the trajectory of my educational career. I will forever look at my role as a lead learner in a different light.

In June Joe Mazza posted that he was inviting 100 educators, parents, and community members to join him in #PTcamp – a six week long book study focusing on parent engagement. Beyond the Bake Sale by Henderson and Mapp was the centerpiece of our study. We used several different Social Media tools as part of our book study.

This summer I learned that:

1.      “Bird Walks” are fine and dandy: Sometimes it is important to bring in a different perspective to a conversation. That you can talk “off topic” or introduce a new concept or strategy to discuss or analyze (and it is “ok”). Some of your best work will come from a diverted conversation, idea, or proposal. Allow the conversation to spin 180 degrees. Then check out this “new” perspective. You might just surprise yourself.

2.      That you can go “off grid”:  To step away from the daily work of being an educator. Then return refreshed, renewed, and ready to join in on the conversation, work, or initiative that is “at hand”. Take time to stop and smell the roses along this journey. There are times when you need to step away from your work. Allow yourself this time (and not feel guilty about it).

3.      Laughter is the best medicine: Learning to laugh with others, at yourself, and at life in general is good for the soul. Take time to step away from the hustle and bustle of your work and enjoy your family and friends. Don’t take life and your work so seriously. You can even create catchy jingle to entertain your friends.

4.      Bigger can mean better: Where two or more (or 100) are gathered you can quickly learn from this incredible talent pool. The PTcamp cohort provided me with a diverse array of individuals all focused on improving education, one person at a time. Working with a larger group allows for more ideas to be shared.  You can gather perspectives that offer insight from a different angle.

5.      There’s more to technology than just “technology”: We must look beyond the initial purpose of the 21^st century tools that we use each day. They can have an even greater impact on our lives that we first realized. Through Voxer, we were able to create professional bonds, friendships, and a cohort that will continue long after our camp ends today. This is just the beginning of our cohort’s mission.

6.      Parent Development is a must: It is our responsibility to meet parents “where they are” and help them along their journey as team members in the educational process. Think about it, education today is vastly different from 15, 10, or even 5 years ago. Parents need different types of PD. Find out the things they need, and begin the process of parent empowerment. You can also learn quite a bit as you get to know the parents of our students.

The Carol Burnett Show is famous for the “closing” or sign off song.  Here are the celebrated lyrics…

“I'm so glad we had this time together

Just to have a laugh or sing a song

Seems we just get started and before you know it

Comes the time we have to say, "So long."

The lyrics encapsulate my feelings for the depth of knowledge that I gained from my #PTcamp cohort. I want to dedicate this blog post and the multitude of things that I learned to this incredibly talented, knowledgeable, selfless group of dedicated ensemble of forward thinking educators.

I must thank the founders of ApprenNet.com and Voxer for proving these two tools/resources for our cohort to use during this six week voyage. Your two organizations allowed our PTcamp to grow exponentially.

Feel free to share your thoughts on what you've learned this summer!

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