How I became an Edcamp Junkie?

This year has been a wonderful year of professional development, growth, and reflection. I had the unique opportunity to attend and present at the National Council for the Social Studies Conference in Seattle, Washington, a summer institute through Gilder Lehrman on 9/11 and American Memory held at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum (not yet open to the public), and an interesting opportunity to learn more about the Hudson Valley through the HELP program at my district. While all of those experiences were exciting and educational, I can’t but help to reflect on how the EdCamp movement has changed my expectations of professional development.

 

What is the Edcamp model? 

According to Simple K-12, “It is a new grassroots movement happening all around the United States, is something you don’t want to miss.  This movement is spreading like wildfire, quickly transforming the way teachers learn. EdCamps should not be confused with traditional education conferences; these are events organized by local groups of educators who strive to create an UNconference environment that encourages participant-driven discussions in an informal area.  There are several benefits of attending EdCamps, including: free attendance, flexible agendas, group brainstorming sessions, local networking opportunities, and much more!”

 

My Edcamp Transformation 

Edcamp Social Studies: I was first introduced to the Edcamp model by my wonderful #sschat professional learning community when they organized Edcamp Social Studies #1. The conference was held in Philadelphia, PA on March 24th, 2012. I learned innovative and creative ways to improve my practice. The Edcamp Social Studies unconference was such an amazing experience that it “set the bar” for other Edcamp’s.

 

This summer I attended EdCampNYC #2, Edcamp Leadership # 3, and Edcamp Hudson Valley # 4. All of these Edcamp experiences were amazing in that they helped to expand  and reinvigorate my teaching methodology and repertoire. It is important to remember we are all learners – teachers and administrators as well as students and we must constantly adapt and reflect on our own teaching and learning.

 

EdCamp NJ: This weekend I had a wonderful opportunity to attend Edcamp NJ #5. What made this Edcamp different was that it was much larger than previous Edcamp’s.  Edcamp NJ was one of the best Edcamp’s I attended this year. Besides being very well organized, sessions were streamed so people across the United States could participate remotely. This encouraged a new form of collaboration and participation.

 

Now that I am officially an “edcamp junkie” I was able to recognize and reconnect with some amazing educators from previous Edcamp’s, blogs, or twitter chats. It was a also an inspirational experience to meet educational leaders such as Brad Currie, Salone Thomas-El, Jeffery Bradbury, Danielle Hartman, Kevin Jarrett, Scott Rocco, and so many others! I got to connect with educators such as Hannah Walden, Katie Baker  that I am now following on Twitter. I was able to meet people for the first time in-person even though we have been communicating on twitter for a few years.  Here is a Evernote file of what I learned at Edcamp NJ. Blog posts will be forthcoming!

 

How has the Edcamp model changed my expectations?

1. Invite Me to the Table: I love Benjamin Franklin’s quote, “Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I remember, Involve me and I learn.” Just like this quote, I want to collaborate, I want to participate, and I want to be apart of the “fight” to improve education. I am no longer satisfied with traditional methods of professional development and I often WANT to use the “rule of two feet” at other conferences. The Edcamp model has taught me that I should no longer be passive learner at professional development, but to be apart of the discussion and collaboration to improve education.

 

2. The Power to Change: Edcamp conferences have made me more reflective of my practice. I have the ability to transform my classroom, school, and the field of education (even in a small way). I can bring about change through collaboration with others. My mother, a 13 year veteran teacher was also inspired by Edcamp NJ. Even through she was an Edcamp and Tech Newbie, she left with the same feeling of excitement and desire to share/implement like I did.

 

3. I am not alone.  The field of education can be a very isolating experience. Twitter as well as Edcamp has turned my professional experiences from isolation to inspiration. I have a unique and wonderful opportunity to connect with dynamic educators from around the world everyday!  My PLC  has expanded and reinvigorated my expectations for myself and my students. My professional Learning community, twitter, and the Edcamp model has helped to make me into the teacher I am today and it will continue to shape me into the teacher I want to be tomorrow.

 

Here is a Evernote file of what I learned at Edcamp NJ. Blog posts will be forthcoming!

 

For more information about Edcamp Movement please visit the Edcamp wiki