KATE Conference

What an experience! First of all, I would like to say that I love my English Education family dearly, and just to be with them for two days straight (even though I see them all week) was wonderful within itself.  It was truly inspiring to be around so many enthusiastic teachers and to be exposed to a variety of strategies that I can use in my student teaching classroom as well as my future classroom.

  I found it refreshing that a majority of the keynote sessions I attended embraced and encouraged the integration of technology within the classroom.  A session that I attended on accident, with a lovely lady who didn’t want to stay, but I convinced because of the comfortable seating arrangement, was the most memorable one. In the session two teachers discussed the benefits of a classroom blog. It reminded me of what we are currently engaging in our own class. The session also allowed me to realize that there’s an opportunity to connect with students via technology as well as connecting with one another, not just in college, but in high school as well.  

After attending the behavior management session, I began to worry about my own classroom management skills. Although I have not had any troubles in my practicum, I know that I may be too lenient due to my own personality. It was a nice refresher in previous concepts that we have learned in our first year of student teaching. I would like to strive to be the “balanced” disciplinary teacher. Maybe in a perfect world, right?

Seeing Mrs. Megan Springs present was one of the highlights of the KATE conference! What an inspiration and what a nerve to present at such an event. I thought that she did an excellent job and I can only hope I have the guts to do such a presentation in the future. She also touched on the subject of further engaging students by embracing the technological advances in education that we are seeing implemented today.

Taylor Mali was quite an exciting experience as well! The readings that he did for us were entertaining and he seems like a down to earth, genuine person.  I’d have to say my favorite part of it was when he took Destinee’s phone and tried to take a video of himself. His accomplishments allow me to dream that someday I may be able to not only be an English teacher, but have fun with my own writing and exhibit that for my future students. 

In summary of all of the sessions that I attended, I would say that one major takeaway I had was this: education is dynamic, forever changing and molding as we progress in our society. We must be flexible and open minded in all aspects. Teachers have the largest impact on molding the future minds of tomorrow. Personally, I believe this to be an exciting challenge as a teacher. What a beautiful process and journey.  The secret to never growing old, is to become a teacher!