Why am I writing this personal entry? Well, it is not an attempt to gain any sympathy. It attempts to show what is possible if a clear intention and goal serve the learner's needs. In May of 2022 just near the end of another fantastic school year, I do not remember what happened. But, I was unable to finish the school year and was unable to teach the following year. Why? On May 21st, 2022, I fell down a flight of 16 stairs (luckily carpeted) from the 2nd to 1st story of our home. I was found at the bottom of the stairs. I was found foaming at the mouth. This would lead to a 2-month hospital stay which included an induced coma because my seizures would not stop, several rounds of lumbar punctures, and relearning basic physical movements like something as simple as being able to roll in the hospital bed. Simply put, when I was admitted to the hospital, I was diagnosed as being “critically ill.” Please take a moment and read those words: critically ill. They are not terms...
Have you ever gone to a conference and seen that one person in the back of the session who seems to be engaged but its not interacting with anyone else? Or maybe that one person who seems to be eating lunch at a table by themselves? That’s me.
I attend around 3 educational conferences every year. I have a great time learning from presentations and keynote speakers at all of these conferences. By definition, a conference is meant to be a meeting of people with a shared interest. When I think about my conference attendance, I rarely meet new people. Am I defeating the purpose of a conference in many situations?
I’m always quick to tweet out to a hashtag and follow presenters with great insights, but rarely will I find a new face to face connection. It’s crazy to think about it. 90% of those attending a conference probably have something we could connect about or discuss. From edtech tools to educational philosophy, there is an incredibly population of individuals I could be connecting with. A ton of face to face connections waiting to be made if I just introduced myself.
So, my word for 2018 is “Hello.”
I helped organize an EdCamp in March of 2017. When I think back on it, I was so into the process of putting on the event that I didn’t make any new connections that day. This year, I resolve to meet new people at any conference I attend. To say “Hello” to people I don’t know and learn a little about them. More importantly, at EdCamp Elmbrook that we are hosting in March, I will go out of my way to say “hello” to every attendee.
I find it so easy to ♥ a post on twitter or reply to a tweet. I need to build that commitment to do the same thing in person. I’m so quick to offer my voice to a Twitter chat, including GIF’s with aplomb. But when the chat is face to face, that part of me hides away.
I will continue to meet and converse with new people virtually. I am always willing to say “hello” to new opportunities. I hope to find that same courage to say “hello” to the new people I see in 2018.
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