Wednesday, December 5, 2007

NSDC Annual Conference Notes

It was my privilege to attend the National Staff Development Council's Annual Conference in Dallas, TX this week. It was the first time I've attended this conference; I tend to attend educational technology conferences and I loved being amongst people whose primary goal was staff development. In fact, NSDC's Purpose is: Every educator engages in effective professional learning every day so every student achieves. I'll be describing several session more in depth soon. Some high points...

  • Jennifer James on change and needing to see a new tapestry (of belief, culture, comfort) as our old ones change so rapidly.
  • Jan Streich and the Instructional Technology Resource Teachers (ITRTs) from Spotsylvania, VA on how they've implemented the Virginia mandate of an ITRT for every 1000 students...we were riveted to our seats! They're not saying they have it all figured out but they sure have done their research and they certainly had a lot of good advice/resources to offer.
  • Book talk on A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink -- great discussions and activities with great educators.
  • Learning more about this field. I have spent so much time in the educational technology world it was nice to approach my goals and what I do everyday from a different perspective. I know it will serve me, my school and my district.

There were several other good and even great moments during the conference and, of course, wonderful times with the colleagues it was my pleasure to join; thanks Sue, Bob and Jeff for your leadership, generosity of thought and ideas and wonderful company!!

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