TeachMeet 10th

My story for TeachMeet 10th anniversary.

  


I was introduced to TeachMeets by Matt Esterman in 2014 when he asked for presenters for the first TeachMeet at EduTECH. I had never heard of TeachMeets, and knew nothing about it. Initial research and discussions on Twitter quickly opened my world. I came to the TeachMeet very nervously, not knowing quite what to expect, but soon my life was changed. I connected with educators from all over Australia, and even Ewan McIntosh did a presentation and many others that I had interacted with online. Sitting there listening to teachers sharing what they do, their passions, their ideas, and all in short 7-minute sessions was incredible. My own session was a blur, I spoke about how I have used Evernote to create a hybrid class site and make my classroom paperless. I heard Simon McKenzie, a Twitter #histedchat friend, talk on his Ancient history class project, and developed my own take on his project later that year to great success. Simon Crook shared a line that I still remember, "Engage me or Enrage me" with regards to meetings.

From this first initial TeachMeet I launched TeachMeets in my region, and they have grown over the past two years where others are also starting them up to help extend our teaching networks and help everyone grow. TeachMeets really provide a wonderful platform where teachers can share and connect, and it has truely opened my world.


Register yours here: http://bit.ly/teachmeet10

The year that was - 2015

My reflection on 2015

(long overdue post I started a few weeks back)

This past year was a mix of some really wonderful times, and many periods of intense struggle. I have not blogged in months and retracted from Twitter considerably, and there are many reasons for this that I won't go into now and mentioned it briefly in my blog post a few weeks back. 

This is my annual recap/self-reflection of the past 12 months. I'm extremely thankful for the wonderful people that have been part of my journey, and the inspiration they have given me and influence they have had on my life.

In no particular order, here they are:

1 Every Classroom Matters Episode

At the end of 2014 I was approached to record an episode with Vicki Davis (@coolcatteacher) for her Educational Podcast show 'Every Classroom Matters' on my 'TweetingAztecs' project. The episode was recorded in January, and what an interesting experience that was doing an interview with someone on the other side of the world. The episode was aired in May (coincidently on my birthday) -Lesson Plan: Creative and Wildly  Engaging Ways to Teach with Twitter https://shar.es/16Bmus 

It was such an honour to be part of Vicki's show. I have admired her since becoming a teacher and connecting online. She truly is such a wonderful educator that shares so much and inspires many. Check out her show and blog: http://www.coolcatteacher.com/

2 Teachmeets
During 2015 I managed to organise 4 Teachmeets in the region, including two successful ones at the University of Southern Queensland Hervey Bay Campus with more than 20 educators attending. I absolutely love Teachmeets and what they stand for, the. The sharing by teachers is always inspirational, helpful and fascinating. 

I also presented at the first Teachmeet Sunshine Coast in March, and ran TeachMeet session at EduTech and presented at the same event. Teachmeets are definitely part of my future planning for 2016 and to see how we can have more in Queensland.

3 EduTech

I was privileged to have the opportunity to be a speaker at EduTECH 2015 with Matt Esterman. Originally Simon McKenzie was also going to join us, but unfortunately could not, but he was still a great help with providing resources and support. It was great working with Matt and being part of the Conference. Matt is such a generous and passionate educator, and someone that I love connecting with. He is the one that introduced me to TeachMeets and I'm very happy to call him one of my closest edu-friends. EduTECH was great to attend because I managed to catch up with some edu friends from all around the country. The conversations outside the speakers is what I found the most beneficial and stimulating. 

Picture by Helen Bremner (https://twitter.com/MrsHb)

4 Engage Summit
I was fortunate to be part of the Engagement Behaviour & Learning Summit at QUT in July. It was a great event organised by Linda Graham. It was the biggest audience I ever presented before, more than 300 people from all sectors of education. Check out some of the presentations online. Here is mine on using Social Media with my classes.

5 Masters
I started my Masters with CSU - Knowledge Networks & Digital Innovation this year and it has been extremely challenging juggling it with everything else. Two subjects down, and six to go. Along the way I managed to get a Distinction with the second subject - Design Thinking with Ewan McIntosh; and having a study partner in Jordan Grant to help and support.

6 Eric Sheninger

In May my school hosted Eric Sheninger for a workshop after I had made contact with him to set it up. It was great having him here and spending time with an educator that loves sharing his knowledge. The workshop was excellent, and just having him over for a relaxed barbecue was another opportunity to connect and chat. He also presented at the TeachMeet sessions at EduTech, and delivered a great Keynote. I look forward to meeting up again in the future and following along all the great work he is doing.

Me, Eric & Stuart Taylor

7 #28daysofwriting
Tom Barrett challenged people online to join him in doing #28daysofwriting to kickstart some creative and reflective writing of glogs. It was quite a challenge, but I'm so happy that I managed to complete it and write a blog each day. No idea how some people maintain regular blog posts, as I struggle to find the time or inspiration, but this was a good learning month with writing. Might need to challenge myself again to help this blog get a roll on.

8 Other Highlights

So much goes on in a school year, and there is so much to be grateful for. My students performed brilliantly and seeing them grow is what makes all this hard work worthwhile every year. I've had the chance to present at another school to share my knowledge of various tech tools, and helped teachers at my school become more proficient with Google tools. I helped a number of teachers write the Google Educator Level 1 exams and more to follow in 2016.There was the first ever Queensland EDCAMP, which was great to be part of and present at. The #TweetingAztecs project just keeps on going, and I have talked about it on many occasions; now I look at what else I can do. Doing a book review on TER Podcast, and being on one of the EduTECH episodes was another highlight. 

Lastly; seeing my wife get to half-way point of her School Counselor Education Masters and watching our 4 year old little girl develop, are the closest highlights to my heart. Spending time with my girls is my favourite part of every year.

I'm sure I missed a few points; but I know that everything that takes places, the good and bad, makes me into the educator that I'm becoming.

In 2016 I'm looking forward to being involved with the 3rd International Heutagogy Conference in Brisbane in May, presenting at the CSA Queensland Conference in July, continuing with my Masters Year 2, organising TeachMeets, daughter starting Prep at the school we both work at and anything else that happens along the journey.

Refocus

Where do I start?

At some point in the last few months, I have struggled to maintain my drive/motivation. There are many reasons behind this and I cannot go into great detail about much, but I'm slowly figuring out more through self-reflection. All teachers probably go through these times and it is important to try and re-establish some focus/goals. I absolutely love teaching, I love my students and seeing them develop and grow over their time with me. I love interacting with my PLN (even though I have been quite absent in recent times) as they inspire, challenge and help me grow. I love my family and the support I get from them. I'm eternally grateful for opportunities that have come along over the past 2 years.

I think my frustration and disappointment is stemming from seeing what great leadership could look like, how innovative practices can transform learning, how forward-thinking schools are led by leaders that lead and not just managed, seeing inspirational teachers and dedicated professionals inspire thanks to my PLN. Maybe this is just wishful thinking or an unattainable dream, but I hope it is not.

I want to be able to work where:

• teachers opinions and contributions are valued, 
• they have input in decisions that affect themselves and their students, 
• they are part of the solution and help generate it through informed discussions, 
• remunerated and treated fairly, 
• respected and allowed to pursue new ideas to benefit their students.

Many of these points reflect what students are also looking for, and I'm trying my very best to give it to them, even when the systems restrict/hinder me from doing it.

Students want to be at a school where:

• students opinions and contributions are valued
• students have a say in the decisions that affect their learning
• Students help solve problems/issues, rather than being the problem
• they are respected
• they are allowed to pursue their passions

Maybe I'm just rambling, but as I try and figure out where I head to next I need to put it down in words. I think the three parts that have kept me going, and kept me somewhat focused are: my wife and daughter, my students and some key members of my PLN. They are my sources of inspiration, the people that challenge me and help me become a better teacher.

I'm looking forward to the challenges and adventures that await in 2016 and beyond...