It’s the last weekend in January, time for my annual trek to the best K-12 “conference” in the known universe: Educon. For the fourth year in a row, I’m spending an entire weekend (Friday afternoon through Sunday night) – and hundreds of dollars of my own money – to experience what is more of a “thinktank” than a “conference.” To meet face-to-face with many people, some of whom I’ve only known online (members of my personal learning network). To learn, explore, discuss, reflect and … to recharge.

One of the reasons love Educon is  the timing. It’s a weekend. I just can’t stand being out of my classroom. Period. For any reason. Most especially for my own professional learning. Some argue that a teacher doing professional development on their own time (and dime) obviates the district’s need to provide PD. I disagree. The two are unrelated. At the end of the day, I’m responsible for my own professional learning. If the district can provide it, great. If not, I’ll get it on my own.

As you may know, sessions at Educon are called “conversations.” That’s the ideal and the intent. Educon isn’t “sit and get” professional development. Have you ever been to a “conference” and found that the best part was the time spent BETWEEN the sessions, at lunch, or afterwards, with the people you met? That’s what Educon is like, for the ENTIRE event.

One thing Educon does have in common with a traditional conference is that it’s hard to choose where to invest your time. The “law of two feet” applies and will save you, though – try THAT at your next highbrow formal “conference” (good luck, BTW.)

Anyway, here’s where I’ll be … or at least plan to be … this weekend. These are the things that interest me, challenge me, inspire me, frighten me, and engage me. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be…

See you in Philly!

-kj-