The Significance of the Family Reunion

Our families come to us in different shapes, sizes, color, and quantity, and temperament. We have our immediate, extended, adopted, school, and professional families. Each member and group helps us to “share”, “celebrate”, “give thanks”, and “grow” This week I was fortunate enough to be part of a unique and very special family reunion. I attended the 50^th Family and Community Engagement Conference (sponsored by the Institute for Educational Leadership) to present, learn, and to meet my #PTCamp PLN family.

In June of 2014 I joined a Voxer Book Study with Joe Mazza (@Joe_Mazza) and 100 professional colleagues. We read, discussed and dissected Mapp and Henderson’s Beyond the Bake Sale.  During the past 12 months I have remained “connected” with 21 of my book study PLN Pals. This journey started out as a typical 6 week book study. However, very unexpectedly it transformed into a family of educators that spanned 10 time zones and multiple countries.

During this conference I met in person, or the first time, twelve of those colleagues.  Although it was our first time meeting each other in person, we had grown professionally and personally during the past 12months via Voxer, Twitter, and other Social Media tools and venues.

My reflective thoughts…

Share the good the bad and the ugly with your family. It is important to be transparent and to be open and honest with your family. This is how we build relationships and continue on our learning journey.

Celebrate the great things that are happening NOW. Create memories from what happens today. It will help tell your “story” and to prepare you for your future.

Give Thanks for the family that surrounds you each day. These special individuals are here to help, support, cheer, and encourage you. Take time to give thanks to those special individuals in your life.
Grow by learning from your family. You may not always share the same opinions, beliefs, and philosophies, but you can always learn from those family members who deeply care about you.

So you my #PTCamp PLN family, thank you for this incredible Family Reunion.

My #PTCamp PLN:

                          Sharicca Boldon                                  Lea Ann Johnson

                          Chad Caddell                                       Joe Mazza

                          Peggy Cormeny                                   Ivonne Padilla

                          Vicki Day                                              Julie Pile

                          Geniene Delahunty                            Debbie Olsen

                          Jim Detwiler                                        Jay Posick                             

                          Ben Gilpin                                            Becky Raabe

                          Shari Hardinger                                  Jeff See

                          Anthony Hockey                                 Mary Ann Stewart

                          Sheilah Jefferson-Isaac                     Brenda Vatthauer

                                                                    Joy Wright

I learned so much about Family and Community engagement-involvement-leadership during this conference. It stretched and expanded my “knowledge band”. It enhanced my awareness of how we can take our family and community to greater levels of connectedness within our schools and districts.

So when you get the opportunity to attend a Family Reunion, do not pass on this incredible opportunity. No matter the obstacle or obstacles that are in your way, do what you need to do in order to be part of the Family Reunion experience – It will transform your life.