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First Day of Spring Break

Today is the first day of Spring Break.
I woke up early anyway.
I made myself coffee.
I sat down at my desk.
I set a timer to check my personal and school emails - 30 minutes.
I did OK for a little while.
The timer buzzed.
I turned it off.
But, I kept checking my email.
I forgot my resolve -
to check for a set amount of time - and then move on to something more important.

Fortunately, I didn't forget about #TheEdCollabGathering day of workshops.

This was my first time participating.
I couldn't stay online for the entire day.
But, that was OK because the sessions are viewable on YouTube, 24/7.
I have this week to do that.
In fact, there are two sessions I am going to view in the next couple of days.

Still, I participated in the opening and closing keynotes,
and in a session about creating a classroom literacy community.

Here are three key ideas that have stayed with me from the opening keynote, Celebrating Student Voice, with Phil Bildner, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovitch.

  • We must celebrate and amplify student voice
  • Your story is precious. Your story is valuable. Your story matters.
  • If a student asks, "Can I..." about their writing, say, "Yes!"

So, maybe I should have stayed in bed.
Maybe I shouldn't have participated in #TheEdCollabGathering.
Maybe I shouldn't have thought about teaching.
Maybe I shouldn't have sent an email to one of my students to share a webpage that I thought he'd be interested in.

Maybe...but I'm so glad I did!



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