Presenting at Podstock 2015

This was my first BIG presentation. Planning a presentation was a difficult thing for me. I took Launch Me in December with +Kevin Honeycutt  and +Ginger Lewman and wow I learned a lot! But I was still unsure if I was able to get in front of a group and convey a message effectively and also talk about a subject that people would want to learn.

I submitted a proposal for #Podstock15 and was happily surprised that I got in. I started to think about it more and plan as much as I could, but it's hard to find the time when you're busy with four kids and a job full-time job.

Saying I was nervous would be an understatement. I continued to go back-and-forth until the night before my presentation and stayed up until 2 AM working on it and finishing up the last few slides. Also, Kevin and I had not had a chance to meet. We were planning on meeting in the morning but he being part of ESSDACK made it difficult for him to get away, and I was still trying to think things through during the opening keynote.

This year's theme was Steampunk

I got to the room. I was a ball of nerves and as soon as I was ready, I jumped in. Turns out someone from ESSDACK was supposed to introduce me but I was not about to wait any longer. I talked about the "rule of two feet" basically telling everyone that if they were not getting what they needed out of my session that there's no problem with them heading out during the session. I then cautioned everyone that I would be flying through a lot of tools. And off I went.

As I started getting into all the tools, people were enjoying it and I was trying to read the audience, something I was taught at Launch Me, and figuring out if I should move on or talk more about each tool. I tried to give a good 20 to 40 second review of each tool. Here is a link to the presentation. Kevin was awesome and with no plan jumped right in and talked about sharing your classroom with the world and utilizing Youtube as well as several amazing quotes like "Perfect is the enemy of done!"

About halfway through my presentation I realized that I had a lot more content than I could cover. I had a few places that I tried to have interactive polls but the Internet didn't seem to be quick enough for it to work so I moved out without using those. I had several other sites that we would've  demonstrated but didn't have time. I wanted to make sure I could get through everything and especially my closing message.


This year past year I've been really connected to other educators like Tom Murray,  Todd Nesloney, but most especially Ginger Lewman and Kevin Honeycutt. I have learned from them that we need to emphasize the necessity for relationships with students, not just about the latest and greatest tools. Good teaching is about how we deal with kids and empower them. I recommend everyone follow Angela Maiers and the YouMatter hashtag on Twitter.

Jane Ledell rocking my Steampunk Hat

I ended with a strong message that we can be a hero for our students and that it is always about relationships. I didn't expect by the end of my presentation that I had standing room only in my room, as I finished my final words I received a standing ovation! I was deeply overwhelmed and I am so grateful for everyone that came.  I felt that everyone got a lot out of all of the tools I shared. I think it went over really well despite my initial hesitation. Afterwards I had several people that asked if I would share the slides because I had so many great tools that they couldn't write everything down.

My buddy Sam Spitz from Otus

I am so appreciative of all of the compliments and especially the people that took pictures of my presentation and tweeted out. I really appreciate them being so supportive and it feels really amazing to have gone through that experience. To take a big risk and just go for it! We need to continue this as adults so we can feel what it's like to be a student and make those big leaps and do incredible things.

It is a huge adrenaline rush and I'm hooked!  I'm going to continue my journey and work on sharing the tools I have been working on, presenting, and getting better at taking risks. I want to work on getting myself out there because I feel like I have something to give.  I recommend you watch this video: Obvious to You, Amazing to Others. Find what you have to share and then submit your proposal to present at #Podstock16!!!

What's your #onelittleword?!

The first challenge on Todd Nesloney's PD Blog, educatorlearningseries.blogspot.com, is to create something with one word that you want to define your work for 2015. This was submitted by Lisa Dabbs and is from the Ali Edwards: One Little Word Project.  I have been thinking for a while what one word to use.  

This is an interesting conversation to have with yourself.  What do you want to improve? Who do you want to be? How do you want others to perceive you? Does it matter how others perceive you? What #onelittleword will motivate you and keep you on track this year? You can see mine below.