ISTE 2016 Recap

Let’s talk about ISTE….or let’s not. I honestly don’t think I can yet. I am currently sitting in the Denver airport trying to decompose after an amazing week at the 2016 ISTE Conference.

I tried to pull some pictures from my phone to document the trip then realized that I didn’t really take any. 

I know. I know. Sorry! I am a visual person too. But, I spent a lot of time connecting, collaborating, and reflecting so my camera was a complete afterthought. This was my first ISTE experience, and it was overwhelming, heart wrenching, inspiring, and simply beautiful. 

I am pretty sure that it is going to take me a few weeks to sift through all of the information that I soaked up and give it all a chance to simmer so I can figure out what I want to implement or alter for the new school year.

But I wanted to a least share something on the blog now before I go home.

Yet, as I sit here trying to figure out where to start, I realize that there is just too much “everything” floating around my brain right now for me to possibly be able to recap in one post what this ISTE conference has meant to me. I have laughed with friends, cried in sessions because I have felt so conflicted and moved, experienced empowerment, and been inspired. 

All of these emotions have soared through me a zillion times over and over again in just four days. I am so honored to have walked the halls with educators who shared their passions with the rest of us. I am humbled by all of the amazing individuals who came to our poster sessions and conversed with us, and I am still so emotionally raw from the literacy session with Pernille Ripp. She spoke everything that I feel about helping foster a love for learning and reading in my students in a way that seriously brought me to tear more times than I care to admit. 

In the words of my high school swimmers— #icanteven. 

I still have hours to go before I am home (PSA-1am flights are NOT fun),weeks to go before school starts, and years to go before I get this whole teaching gig right(if any of us really ever do), but I know one thing. My heart and soul is in this profession 110%. Being an educator is everything that I am and more. I knew that before attending ISTE, but I am leaving Denver knowing that I am on the right path. I know that I am right where I am meant to be, and I am thankful for the ISTE conference and everything that this experience has provided for me. 

Grateful.