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| My 3 sons...on the field with Odell Beckham.
Imagine having field passes to the Super Bowl. Let's
imagine (really imagine, based on the Giants season thus far), getting to be
front and center to watch Eli, Odell and the rest of the NY Giants beat
the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 2016. I mean, what would be
better than that? As a mom to three boys, I get the football craze.
I live it. I also know the intensity of fantasy football leagues.
Well, fantasy becomes reality for learners this week, thanks to the
annual National Council Teachers of English, #NCTE15.
Luckily, it happens every year. Like the Super Bowl, parties
are planned, tickets are purchased,flights are arranged, hotels are booked and
on and on. Last year, I wrote about NCTE as THE Literacy Super Bowl and
you know what? It never gets old. Once again educators, lead learners,
readers, writers and mentor educators will come together for this event.
#NCTE15 is the best ticket around. I can't actually speak to being
at the Super Bowl. But I can imagine the feeling. People are literally
jumping and cheering with enthusiasm. There are smiles as far as the eye
can see.
I have to be honest, even if
I went to the Super Bowl, I probably wouldn't know Odell Beckham if he passed
me in the hallway. But at the Literacy Super Bowl, passing the GIANTS of
education and literacy idols at every corner, I could probably pick out authors
from across a crowded room. In fact, speaking of picks... the lineup for
NCTE is ridiculous. You may pass Penny, Kelly, Kylene,
Donalyn, Lester, even Kwame, names bigger than Madonna and as recognizable as
Odell's. Crazy fan girl moments. The Literacy Super Bowl is
electrifying. No big half time show required.
You get to meet friends from your professional learning
network in real life! Hallway conversations, nerdy meet ups, title
talks, book love, scanning name tags for Twitter handles, avatars and.. aha
moments. Connections are made - old and new! The exhibit hall visits?
Talk about your nerdy swag. It is almost hard to put into words.
Rock star authors signing books, getting ARCS... did I mention the ARCs
(advanced reader copies)? It's like getting to know the final score and winning every
Super Bowl pool.
"A key to growing as
a teacher is to keep company mainly with teachers who uplift you, whose
presence inspire you and whose dedication drives you."- Robert John Meehan
The learning, oh, the learning. Learning from dawn til
dusk... and beyond! Teachers pack power bars for energy. There's no
stopping to eat for fear of missing a session. That would be like going to grab
a hot dog on a 4th and goal with 20 seconds left in the game when the score is
tied. Who would do that? And who would want to skip a session at
the Literacy Super Bowl?Strategic planning, plotting play by play which
sessions to attend. It is amazing to see so many passionate educators all in
one place, collaborating to share their craft and their love for teaching and
learning. No need for QBs when everywhere you look there are CIOs
(Chief Inspiration Officers).
There are some downsides too. There are cloning
issues. How can one be on the sidelines for every play? Have no fear.
At the Literacy Super Bowl, we even have our very own ESPN Red Zone:
Twitter. At home, I used to watch in disbelief as my boys bounced from
game to game via the Red Zone. But I get it now! Twitter can
provide instant replays. You don't have to worry about missing anything.
Twitter feed and friends help you keep up with sessions happening
simultaneously. Thankfully, there is limited #FOMO (fear of missing out).
Friends like, Franki Sibberson, Katherine Sokolowski and Kristin Ziemke
will be sure to have their Tweet Decks locked and loaded. I think they
could beat Howie Long, Ronde Barber, and Erin Andrews any day. I bet Kristin
could give Terry Bradshaw a run for his money. Actually, I'd be
psyched to see Kristin and Michael Strahan as NCTE commentators too. Just
sayin'.
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#NCTE15 Let the games begin!
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| Can you feel the excitement? |
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