In July 2010, I had a very interesting email from someone that I did not really know at the time. Beth Still had let me know that I was chosen by a group to become the 2011 ISTE Newbie and that I would have the opportunity to attend the 2011 ISTE conference in Philadelphia, PA. Although I knew this would be a fantastic opportunity to attend my first out of country education conference, it was essential that I seriously think about it (and get Superintendent approval) since I would have to miss the last few days of my own school year. After much deliberation, I felt that if this same opportunity was given to anyone else on my staff, I would never hold them back from it so why would I hold back myself? I also know that my staff is full of leaders and that in my absence, the school will absolutely be fine. Any school that is dependent upon their principal being present at all times, is not a strong school.
Speaking of consistency, I have also really encouraged all of my staff to always take part in any professional development as a team. I believe that no matter how great the ideas are at a conference, unless you have the opportunity to discuss them with your team, you lose out on some really great discussions that are applicable to your building. It is often in these discussions that we really create change for our students. You hear experts on topics but we need to connect with the experts on our own students.
With that being said, I have encouraged a few of my own staff members to join me at this conference. Shawn Ram and Norm Usiskin have both done some fantastic things for our school community and are both very interested in the opportunity to attend the ISTE conference. Although the school will pay a portion of their expenses, Norm and Shawn are serious enough about the experience that they are comfortable paying some of the expenses out of their own pocket. Although that I am extremely excited about the opportunity to connect with many educators that I have connected with through my blog and Twitter, the opportunity to have conversations and go together as a team is really exciting for myself as a school administrator.
I really want to thank Beth Still for this opportunity that she has given me. Not only do I get to attend one of the most famous and well known educator conferences in the world, but I also have the opportunity to build and develop ideas with my own staff. We can do a lot more together then we ever could alone. I must continuously lead by example and I am glad that a few of our staff will be taking this opportunity with myself.
