July 14, 2008
Conspicuosly Absent at BLC
I had a chance to attend BLC08 compliments of my school this year. I was very excited and even blogged about it some time back. So why did I not go? There is a story there, and I will attempt to share it. I feel I owe it to my network that celebrated with me when I thought I was going.
BLC07 Remembered and Shared At the beginning of school, I shared with my principal about BLC—I had virtually benefited from BLC07 through the breadcrumbs of backchannels from the likes of David Jakes, Ewan 
McIntosh, Barbara Barreda, and others willing to open up their skype chats for any who wanted to respond to backchannel discussions. These people were physically in the audience and invited anyone from their network to join in. Those out in the network did not have the luxury of U-Stream then, nor were we privy to listening in using Skype (I still wonder why no one thought to do that?) But still it was a phenomenon I will not soon forget. I think this alone is what made me realize my professional learning centered around conversations more so than speakers, classes, or presentations.
Interest grows at the district level So my principal shared with a district administrator who works with the school library folks. He asked me about it, and I excitedly told him all I knew. I also shared that I had wanted to go every year since its inception, about which SC districts I knew had been, and that due to the cost, and what I saw as a suggested requirement→that schools and organizations should come as a group→I had never seriously pursued it. (I have always floated my own boat at national conferences-paid for them right out of my own pocket.)
District Decides to GO! The next thing I know, this district leader has gone back and shared about BLC to others at the district level, and a group was formulated to go. I found out later, and was VERY excited. There were six going from my district (already registered and scheduled for flights/lodging.) I told my principal, who told me to go ahead and plan to go with them—she would pay for me and another teacher to attend with that group. I tried to get a teacher to go, but many were reluctant to use summer-time to do this (which is shocking all by itself-that few would consider using their summer for PD–is that just a Cathy phenomenon?).
Too High a Cost As time lapsed, I also began to think how dare me use school money for such an expensive extravagant trip. I kept rationalizing that registration for two teachers alone would be right around $1300, and that is not including airfare, food, and lodging. I kept saying jeepers how much more we could do with more teachers if I would just NOT do this. I have a pet peeve about anyone who fleeces the school of much needed money (like color copies of family photos, or baby-shower thank-you cards made AT SCHOOL in color on school cardstock and FILLED with baby-shower photos, oh gee I could go on an on here.)
My BLC Dream Ended So I let it go. The district is doing what I thought needed to be done→they are sending a group from the district. It is representative of district leaders, building principals, and I do believe a teacher, so I am satisfied in that. My hope of the group going is that they will catch the vision of 21st century learning and then bring this vision back to the district. I already have the vision (I think) so why should I go? I should allow others who haven’t gotten that vision yet to go. I should have my principal spend our professional development money, limited as it is, to get more teachers in pd that will help them grow.
Missing Friends, Virtual & F2F So there you have it—that is why I am not going to BLC this year. I will, however, very much MISS a reunion of virtual friends, including Joyce Valenza, Liz Davis, Lisa Thumann, Alice Barr, Colleen King, and many others I have met virtually in professional social networking tools and f2f from Educon 2.0 in Philly. I DO plan to go again to Educon 2.0, and once again, ask that my school help by splitting the costs with me. Last year I asked to go with this agreement in mind, and said if I could do it for under $500, I would. That is my plan once again—hope the gas prices and airfare will allow it.
Breadcrumbs will have to suffice… Please know that as I sit and reach out for breadcrumbs of information coming out of BLC, I am solidly kicking myself for NOT going ahead and attending, all expenses paid by my school. There are breadcrumbs available though, in the format of blog posts, wiki edits, twitters, and U-Streams. It’s the next best thing to being there.
Attribution:
www.flickr.com/photos/95286689@N00/78964837
Filed by Cathy Nelson at 2:05 pm under 21st century,Conferences,Professional Development Tagged BLC08
10 Comments
July 14th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Cathy,
I hope your belief that less committed educators should be exposed to the riches and benefits of such a conference results in a core group of inspired and connected people.
Have your administrators indicated that the money they “save” by your withdrawal will, indeed, be used for PD? The fact that the district is willing to fund such travel & learn opportunities would lead me to believe that they do more than pay lip service to 21st century learning.
That bodes well for staff and students!
July 14th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Hi Cathy
I know we haven’t met f2f, but we have crossed paths in this virtual world of ed-techies. I commend you for your very noble decision, and for encouraging others to attend so that they may “catch the vision.” Keep us updated on their impressions and any changes that occur in the coming year from the seeds you have planted!! That, in itself, will be extremely rewarding and beneficial for your students.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
@Diane – Being new in my school, I didnt’t feel I had the “pull” to get another to go. Guess that means I still have my work cut out for me. The one (I wanted to go (Mr Granito) couldnt b/c princ said I needed a female roommate–imagine that. He would have been fab. He has recently moved to northern NJ darn it!) The library coord. expressed concern to me about my decision to stay home, so i suppose that is affirmation that I am the reason they decided to go. Doesn’t that sound a little egotistical and self centered. I guess this post is also my little pity party. But I a living with my decision, and I am hoping the Ustreams I think are going to come out will be solid and wonderful!! The EdubloggerCon East material so far has been great. Your friend, Bud the Teacher, and Stefanie Sandifer have been leading the backchannel to me.
@Charlene How wonderful for you to encourage me in the middle of my pity-party! Let’s hope I have great things to share about this year. BTW–I can’t seem to get your blog to load…
July 14th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I was sharing your story with my husband and we both want to commend you on such a conscientious attitude. As a SC taxpayer, if more teachers would act as responsible as you did, maybe there would be more money for things that could affect more people. I think it says alot that you made this decision and the administration didn’t make it for you. I know how hard it must have been for you to make this decision but we applaud you! My hubby wants to know if you would move to our county and influence people here!
July 14th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Hi Cathy,
I have to echo Charlene’s sentiment – your decision is certainly a noble one. I hope the “lucky six” will be changed by the experience and will share their epiphanies with others in the district.
I will miss not seeing you there but will look forward to Educon 2.1. I’ll be attending Marc Prensky’s sessions – I’ll see if I can get him talking about his math game
July 15th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Hi Cathy:
I commend you for making this decision, as hard as it must have been. I am so impressed with your work and all the ideas you have shared. I’ll miss seeing you f2f for sure!. But, perhaps it’s worth thinking about this as a long term goal of getting the district team as excited as you are about 21st century learning. It’s great that you were able to influence a team to attend. This decision may come to benefit you in other ways. It could be the beginning of some great happenings for students in your district…. Hope to see you at EduCon2.1
July 15th, 2008 at 8:31 am
It’ll be a shame not to see you again this summer, for some more time maybe, but I understand your thoughts. Conferences like this one, in particular, depend on teachers going back home afterwards and running mini-BLCs or mini-NECCs in their districts. Hopefully those coming will do so; I’ve already seen Jeff, so will hope that he does something along those lines. Already, with UTC, they’ve shown great willing on Continuing Professional Development. I’d say things are looking up in your part of the world.
July 15th, 2008 at 8:47 am
@Colleen and @Alice I will miss hanging with you girls and learning so much from you once again. I’ve already begun the conversations to be involved in Educon2.1. We must have a reunion!
@Ewan – I still am reeling from your announcement about leaving education to be in in a television industry. I have to give it up to you though, as you are a lot of the reason i was able to enjoy BLC last year, and desired to be there this year, even if only virtually. Your photos (which have already begun rolling out) and blog posts about the conference last year really gave me a feeling of being present and accounted for. Say hi to jeff M for me!
July 15th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Cathy,
We missed your input in the conversation yesterday at EdubloggerCon East. I hardly got to speak with you at NECC, but I know the smaller the setting, sometimes the better and I’m looking forward to Educon 2 to renew that sense of community. We had a taste of it yesterday – but it was too short!
Lisa
July 16th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Hi Cathy,
I am here at BLC with the lot above in the comment queue. I’ll do my best to keep you in the loop. It would have been great to see you here, however.