I have a confession to make: I am a hypocrite. In my classroom, our motto is Explore. Create. Collaborate. I have it on my business card. I believe that collaboration is a huge piece of production and growth. I believe that most things don't get done without a huge team effort. And now, having said all that, I have to admit that I'm frequently a terrible collaborator. I'm driven largely by novelty, and that often makes for being a bad team player. On the right team, with the right roles, I can play a good part. Frequently, though, I'll either take things over and do it all myself, or wander off. Even so, I'm coming out in favor of Collaboration tonight.
Last August, I found out about the EdCamp movement, and learned on Twitter about EdCamp Citrus, a one day teacher created professional development event in Inverness, Florida. I rode down with my pal, Kristin Harrington. We had an amazing time, and I met some awesome people from around Florida. On the trip home, after dinner with fantastic new teacher friends, Kristin and I talked about how we had to put on EdCamp St. Augustine. When I got back to school the next Monday, I told my pal Katrina Worthington all about it. I told her that we were going to do it, and she was on the team. I'm so happy she said yes. We made a website, and wrote down things we thought we would need to do. We tried to figure out a date.
Last August, I found out about the EdCamp movement, and learned on Twitter about EdCamp Citrus, a one day teacher created professional development event in Inverness, Florida. I rode down with my pal, Kristin Harrington. We had an amazing time, and I met some awesome people from around Florida. On the trip home, after dinner with fantastic new teacher friends, Kristin and I talked about how we had to put on EdCamp St. Augustine. When I got back to school the next Monday, I told my pal Katrina Worthington all about it. I told her that we were going to do it, and she was on the team. I'm so happy she said yes. We made a website, and wrote down things we thought we would need to do. We tried to figure out a date.
And then we stagnated. For so long. It was almost funny. Passing in the hall, we'd both agree that we need to work on EdCamp. Didn't happen. Christmas break came and went. Nothing. Our February goal was looking more and more unrealistic! Then, in January, I went to EdCamp Orange in Orlando. I invited everyone from work via email, but it was the same week as FETC, so no one who would want to go was available. I was floored when I got there, and my principal showed up. He told me that he'd actually driven home from FETC the day before, but drove back down for the EdCamp. It's so cool to have a principal that supports your interests as a teacher. On Monday, I stopped by his office to thank him, and he said we need to pick a date for our EdCamp. Sweet!
The only downside was that now the pressure was on. Kristin, Katrina, and I talked about it, but we realized that we needed to work with other people if this was actually going to work. I put out some feelers, and invited some people to my classroom to put this together. I was floored by what we accomplished in our first meeting. We put out an invitation for our next meeting for anyone who wanted to help. My pal Tammy Neil, who was busy planning her own EdCamp (in Branford, FL), was visiting, and her voice added so much to our planning. And from that meeting, we assembled a fantastic group of teachers who are putting together a fantastic day.
In a recent email, we listed questions about who could do what in planning. Each person offered their ability to pitch in in a different color. In a manner of hours, we had a gorgeous document of our collaboration, our care, and our passion for good teaching. I was amazed, I was impressed, and I was humbled by the work everyone was putting in.
The only downside was that now the pressure was on. Kristin, Katrina, and I talked about it, but we realized that we needed to work with other people if this was actually going to work. I put out some feelers, and invited some people to my classroom to put this together. I was floored by what we accomplished in our first meeting. We put out an invitation for our next meeting for anyone who wanted to help. My pal Tammy Neil, who was busy planning her own EdCamp (in Branford, FL), was visiting, and her voice added so much to our planning. And from that meeting, we assembled a fantastic group of teachers who are putting together a fantastic day.
In a recent email, we listed questions about who could do what in planning. Each person offered their ability to pitch in in a different color. In a manner of hours, we had a gorgeous document of our collaboration, our care, and our passion for good teaching. I was amazed, I was impressed, and I was humbled by the work everyone was putting in.
And that's it, man. I spend so much time being the person who runs around to the beat of his own drum, and frankly not being the best team player. But I get it now, it's about getting people on board for your vision, it's about jumping in on someone else's dream, and it's about making things happen. And together? We can make so much more happen when we have something to believe in, and when we work together.
We're not done building EdCamp St. Augustine, though. It's two weeks from today, and it won't be done until everyone has returned to their schools the following Monday with a new idea to share. So I'm inviting you. How can you help? Will you come join us in St. Augustine for a day of collaboration, sharing, and new friendships? If you help create the professional development, your presence will make it that much better! REGISTER HERE!
We're not done building EdCamp St. Augustine, though. It's two weeks from today, and it won't be done until everyone has returned to their schools the following Monday with a new idea to share. So I'm inviting you. How can you help? Will you come join us in St. Augustine for a day of collaboration, sharing, and new friendships? If you help create the professional development, your presence will make it that much better! REGISTER HERE!