Just Fine (The song that represents my summer of conferences)

I'm a bit of a procrastinator and so I although I've been planning on writing this post, it wasn't until reading Brenda's latest blog post (@PrincipalMN) and thinking of a song title that represented my summer, did I finally sit down to write.  Of course, I was motivated by the opportunity to get my fav Mary J Blige in a blog post!  So why did I choose "Just Fine" to represent my summer?  Just Fine sums up how I feel after a summer of conference hopping that began on June 30th and ended on July 20, 2017l.

June 30th - EdCampldr in Long Island, New York
I have been a part of the EdCamp Long Island scene for a number of years and have grown my professional network across Long Island as a result.  Although school had just ended a week before, learning never ends! I attended my first Breakout EDU session, sat in on a conversation about Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, and co-facilitated a conversation about Parent Camp.  

#learningisjofyul with Uniondale colleagues. 

 "Having a really good time, I'm not complaining

And I'm a still wear a smile if it's raining

I got to enjoy myself regardless

I appreciate life, I'm so glad I got mine"

"Just Fine" Mary J Blige

July 8 - July 10th, Principal's Conference  - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I attended my first NAESP national conference and walked away feeling a bit perplexed at the mix of emotions I felt after the conference.  On the surface, I had a GREAT time! Socially it was like attending an all-star festival of educators that I've only known through Twitter and Voxer.  Like Jay (@posickj) shared in his blog post: People either get it, or they don't.  The connections that we make via social media can have a lasting impression on our lives as educators.  I also had a chance to spend time with Long Island educators and with a colleague that I had worked with over 20 years ago (even though we work less than 10 minutes from each other).  Below are just a few pics that made #NPC17 such a joyful learning experience! 

Members of #PTCamp Voxer
group since 2014

Former Roosevelt SD Colleague 

Long Island Educators 

At the Crayola breakfast with Todd and Brad

Met Kaylen Tucker! 

I have to admit, professionally and academically I left feeling a bit empty.  Sure I went to some engaging sessions, obtained some useful tips and resources but I can't say my heart and soul was moved as there was no fire that was lit.  It was a bittersweet feeling but I was quickly on my way to the next conference stop and accepted the time in Philly for what it was. 

"No time for moping around, are you kidding

And no time for negative vibes, cause I'm winning

It's been a long week, I put in my hardest

Gonna live my life, feels so good to get it right"

"Just Fine" Mary J Blige

July 11th - July 12th - Learn Fresh All-Star Educator Summit - Denver, Co.

Being selected as an All-Star Educator for this organization was such an honor.  Take a moment to visit NBA Math Hoops and follow the them on Twitter (@NBAMathHoops). My students have been participating for the last 3 years.  Reach out to me if you are interested and would like more information.  NBA Math Hoops is developed and distributed by Learn Fresh, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, in association with NBA Cares. Learn Fresh seeks to eliminate racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps, and ensure that all U.S. students are engaged in school and have a solid foundation in fundamental skills.   

"Feels so good, when you're doing all the things that you want do 
Get the best out of life, treat yourself to something new
It's a really good thing to say
That I won't change my life, my life's just fine"
"Just Fine" Mary J Blige

July 17th - July 20th  - Reimagining Education: Teaching and Learning in Racially Diverse Schools - Teachers College, Columbia University 

Day 1 - Why Reimagining

Day 2 - Racial and Cultural Literacies

Day 3 - Equity Pedagogy 

Day 4 -Culturally Sustaining Leadership

Hold up, wait a minute...a conference filled with All-Star educators that was specifically designed to talk about the promise, potential and brilliance of Black and Brown children?!?! Please, please, please take a look at the conference curriculum and bios of the Speakers that were present and read their research if you are not familiar with them.   Here are just a few tweets and pics from this powerful conference. 

With Kass Minor! 

With Team Uniondale! 

This conference was just what I needed to fill that gap from the National Principals Conference. Socially, as with all of the other conferences, I enjoyed the experience.  But more importantly the work that has been done and needs to be done for Students of Color was front and center.  That is my life's work and that was "Just Fine" for me! 

 "Got my head on straight, I got my mind right
I ain't gonna let you kill it
You see I wouldn't change my life my life's just fine"
"Just Fine" Mary J Blige 

#laststopli

Welcome to #LastStopLI project based on the book Last Stop on Market Street.

*Celebrate the uniqueness of Long Island communities
*Create connections between educators on Long Island
*Create connections among students on Long Island

The idea for LastStopLI began at #EdCampldr (2016) after I facilitated the session #BreakingNews  - How to talk about social issues in education centered around race.  As Monique (@MDarrisawAkil) shared in her blog , "the session was devoted to discussing the recent racial unrest in our country caused by the deaths of Black men by the hands of the police and then the murder of five policemen in Texas. What ensued was a thoughtful conversation that acknowledged not only the pain that we feel but the confusion about the role of educators in tackling this topic in the classroom. We debated what we should discuss with students; who is responsible for vetting the message?”  We ended the conversation by asking what's next – and the idea of a LI student book study began.  I thought, perhaps starting small and breaking down the invisible walls that exist between children and communities on Long Island is better than not starting at all.  Thanks to the book suggestion from JoEllen (@JoEllenMcCarthy), brainstorming with Alejandro (@A_RiveraNY) & Rosa (NieveslrRosa), discussions around racial discourse with Don (donald_gately) and technical support from Lisa (@LParisi)- here we are.  

  The How, Why, and What's Next of #laststopli can be anything and everything WE make it.  

The project will run for the 2016-2017 school year.  

All tweets should include #LastStopLI

Thanks to all of the teachers that collaborated with pen pals across Long Island.  However, there is one teacher, Ms. Susan Piano, that deserves a special shout-out for really embracing the #laststopli idea with her partnership teacher, Ms. Foley.  Together they had their classes from Uniondale and Farmingdale write each other, share videos with each other (Video Video 2), Skype with each other, and ultimately visit with each other with a meet-up at the end of the school year.  Here's Sue Paino's reflection: 

Our pen pal experience with Ms. Foley's second grade class at Albany Avenue Elementary was an amazing, moving, inspirational experience that's hard to even put into words.  Two different communities of children cam together and were instant best friends...hugging, holding hands, etc. They did Venn diagrams together and the similarities they cam up with outweighed the differences. This is the beauty of working with young children.  They only know love.  They see color.  They know they are a different color than another, but they don't see it as an issue.  That's a learned behavior.  This is why it's so important that we as educators instill and nurture a sense of acceptance in our students and seal the gap that may come along as they grow older and other influences may try and get in the way of their thinking.  The love and acceptance of our children should be an inspiration to us all.  

#laststopli

Check out a few #laststopli tweets: 

Did you join the #laststopli initiative?  Do you think projects like this can really make a difference?  Why or why not?  Please comment or  tweet/share your reflections using #laststopli.