The
KATE conference was unlike anything I could have anticipated. There was the
inherent awkwardness of feeling like the new kid on the block as a pre-service
student teacher among those who are far more experienced in the classroom. Then there was the sheer audacity of leading
a break-out session at this point in my career that seemed almost laughable to
me and terrifying as the minutes ticked
ever closer to the conference.
Thankfully,
the conference was nothing like I imagined. There was no judgement - there was acceptance,
support and a tremendous sharing of ideas and comradery. There was conversation, nodding of heads and
this great give and take as we all participated as educators with a shared
passion for our job and our students.
During my own session, I heard several wonderful ideas from other
teachers who had incorporated art into their curriculum with great success (filed
those away for future use of course).
My
favorite session taught by two first year teachers who I had the good fortune to
meet during their final year at WSU who talked to us about using music in the
ELA classroom – such great energy during that session and so many wonderful
ideas from the presenters and the other teachers present that the hour flew by
and I honestly wished we had had more time to collaborate as a group.
One
thing that would be so fantastic, would be if KATE would set-up a wiki where
all the presenters could post their notes and/or PowerPoints after the
conference so that all of us could benefit from all the great information
presented especially if we had a hard time choosing between sessions. I feel like there was so much I gained, but
also this sense of missing out on a lot too – it says a lot when you sit down
with a conference guide and have such a hard time deciding what to go see because
they all sound so good!
Getting
the chance to hear Jacqueline Woodson was definitely a highlight. She is so
down to earth and her reading voice is almost heart breaking it is so
lovely. I appreciated the chance to have
a couple seconds of conversation with her during the book signing and I know I
will find a way to incorporate her writing into my curriculum at some point.
There
are few words for getting the chance to work with Laura Packer on
storytelling. I will admit that I almost
lamented my decision to tell a story on Friday until my final session with
Laura. She is truly gifted in her art
and I will be forever grateful that I took the leap and told a story. Honestly, it was harder than my session presentation,
but it was incredibly empowering to spend those 5 minutes addressing the group on
Friday. I plan to find a way to bring
storytelling into my classroom, if nothing else to encourage a sense of safe
community for my students – where they can share with one another and feel
confident enough to do so.
Beyond
the amazing ideas and the chance to meet and talk to dynamic teachers who inspire
with their love for their craft and their willingness to embrace and encourage
those of us at the start of our journey, I also had this tremendous sense of comradery
among my WSU peers. Here we are in our
final year together – running toward the light at the end of our time at WSU and
our goal to be teachers – and we have so much to offer one another as
burgeoning professionals, classmates, peers and friends. Being able to spend time outside of the
classroom, away from our placements and sharing in the experience at KATE was a
great opportunity to explore similar interests, share ideas and move beyond our
teacher/student lives to really take time to talk and listen to each
other.
I am
incredibly thankful for my experience at KATE and the opportunities I took to
push beyond my comfort zone in so many ways both professional and
personal. I cannot wait to see what next
year’s KATE might bring!
