Teachers Take Las Vegas

I cannot even put into words how amazing this past week has been.  I had major mixed emotions as this week crept up on my calendar.  I was having major anxiety issues about leaving my kids, especially my 7 month old, and I was stressed out about my 4 presentations that I was giving for SDE on Tuesday.
I could not have had a better time though!  I am beyond blessed to have presented 4 sessions for SDE for the I Teach 1st conference on Tuesday. 

 If you would have asked me three years ago if I would ever be a presenter for a teacher conference, I would have laughed at you.  Public speaking in front of adults was NOT my thing.  Put me in front of 6 year olds, and we are good to go, but my peers…no way!
I am SO happy that I forced myself out of my comfort zone, and gave it a try last year.  Planning for four sessions this year, with a newborn, was quite the challenge.  It is seriously HARD WORK, but so worth it in the end.  I met the most AMAZING people in my sessions!!  Seriously, the nicest teachers!!
Now that it’s over with, I have about a million things that I would like to tweak, change, add, improve, etc.  It’s all a learning process when it comes to presenting.  I am just a teacher, not by ANY means a professional presenter.  I hope to continue to work at it, and get better each time.
During my first session, we surprised the attendees by having the people from GoNoodle come into our room while we were doing a Brain Break.  If you do not use GoNoodle, you MUST try it out this coming school year!!  So much fun.

If you attended one of my sessions, THANK YOU!!  I hope that you were able to pick up at least a couple of ideas that you can use in your classroom this coming school year.  I will be sharing some of the ideas and freebies on my blog that I discussed in my sessions over the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned. 

After the I Teach 1st conference, I attended the 2nd annual Teachers Pay Teachers Conference.  It is sooooo inspirational!! 
I’m leaving Vegas today with a full heart.  I LOVE getting to spend a week with my “virtual” teacher friends that I have become friends with over the past couple of years.  They all make me a better teacher.

By the way, did you notice my fun, new, and colorful blog design!!  Megan from a Bird in Hand Designs was so wonderful to work with.  She could read my mind perfectly, and I just love it.  I was so happy that we found each other at the TpT conference this morning!

Even though my week was fantastic, I am beyond ready to board this plane and head home to hug my kids!!  I CANNOT wait to see them!

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8 Comments

  1. I am so excited for you! I presented at conferences for over 40 years, and I loved the experiences, the friends, the fact that it made me continue to stretch and grow professionally. I'm so glad that you had such a wonderful experience. I would love to have any thing from your handout that you are willing to share. Glad you are home with your family again, though. Cecile

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  2. Hi Jodi, I was at your first session that morning and got tons of great ideas. Thank you so much for stretching out of your comfort zone to share with the rest of us! Also Jodi (much older than you!)

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  3. Hi Jodi! Congratulations on a successful week! So happy that you jumped out of your comfort zone and presented. I would have loved to have been there to hear you present. Maybe next year?! And your new blog design looks great! I love the fun pop of bright colors against the black background. Super cute!

    Kelly
    Lattes and Lunchrooms

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  5. I am so glad you had a great time!!! I knew you would 🙂 I am jealous… and I really would've loved to have gone to one of your sessions!! and I love your new design – and I love megan!! (she did both my blogs…a few times – haha!)…I just love this post 🙂

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  8. Hi Jodi! I'm so happy that you presented again in Vegas this summer and had lots of fun! I hope you'll be there next year so I can come see you again even if you aren't presenting! I'm hoping to go to both the first grade conference and the TPT conference next summer. It sounds like GoNoodle was a huge hit again this year at the conference. I love all their swag. How exciting to have a brain break during your session!

    I love your colorful blog design! <3 I enjoyed using your Comprehension Notebook last year and hope to squeeze in your Math one this year, too.

    Cher
    Mrs. Harrison's Hive

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