Are We There Yet? Reflecting on EduCon 2.3

Last year I attended my first Educon, in person. I was awestruck and filled with “Aha” moments. I bounced from session to session, I met fellow educators face to face with whom I had previously connected online; and I had some wonderful conversations-mostly with my travel companions who I got to know a little better and care about a little bit more. I forged new relationships and strengthened existing ones. I wondered, “How can we replicate this in our own state?”

This year I was looking forward to Educon, but not with the same enthusiasm and excitement as one does when they experience something for the very first time. I am reminded of the television commercial about Disney World in which a little boy is too excited to sleep because he is leaving for Disney in the morning. That was me last year. This year I was a bit more realistic. My plan was to peruse the schedule, support my colleagues by attending their sessions, create new relationships and strengthen existing relationships. I accomplished my goals and then some!

I have been accused, tongue in cheek, for a very long time, of being a “visionary.” My colleagues tell me the education world is not ready for me. But this is me, and this is how I think, for better or for worse. I am the “Why not?” person that refuses to settle.

So here I am, back home, trying to mold my thoughts and ideas into reality, while at the same time, staying true to my vision for the future. I appreciate the  Educon weekend,  and I love being able to support SLA, but more importantly, I appreciate the face to face time I get to spend having conversations with colleagues from around the globe, including those in my own backyard, who inspire me and at the same time keep me grounded in reality.