EdCamp918

Yesterday was the BIG unconference, known as EdCamp.  This year was a little difference, because I actually helped plan it.  We've been working on it for the past 4 months!  Every Friday morning, our planning committee would meet.  I thought we would be officially finished with our 7:30 AM meetings, but it looks like we're meeting again this Friday to discuss how it all went... and maybe start planning for next year's.

I did feel like this year's had more energy than last year.  We didn't have as many people, even though our registration numbers were great.  People just didn't show up.  Apparently most of the no-shows were Tulsa people, so that's a drag.  It was a beautiful Saturday, and for the last weekend in January, maybe this was the culprit?

T-shirts were awesome, and Kailyn took the design and freehand a drawing for us.  I will laminate for future use!  So many people were impressed with her artistic talent - including our state and district superintendents.  We started with KIPP drum guard and dancers to pump everyone up, then we quickly made the schedule, and the conference started.  I helped with two of the sessions - one on Search Ninja and the other on MakerSpaces.

I was happy to meet a librarian from Texas.  Her husband is relocating to Tulsa and so she'll be looking for a job next year.  I hope something will work out.  She seemed like a great school librarian, with plenty of ideas and a team player.

I'm getting worried about the budget crisis looming.  Apparently it's 14 million for TPS, with more cuts promised by our legislatures.  I wish others would take this issue seriously.  I'm troubled that more librarians were not at EdCamp, but I was pleased with Carver's showing.

Will I help with another EdCamp in the future - absolutely!  We were a motley group, with instructional coaches, academic coordinators, administrators, IT director, and me - a librarian!  Fun times!