It’s been a busy conference season, with thousands gathering at BETT, FETC, and TCEA to network, check out the latest tools for schools, and learn new ideas from innovative speakers. One of the best ways to get the most out of these “mega-conferences” is to have a plan of action. Districts spend millions of dollars sending staff to these events, but if they don’t return with anything of use for learning, it’s a waste. At Eanes ISD, we’ve created a Slack channel to share resources and had teachers present their findings at faculty meetings and at our summer learning event. But districts don’t even have to go that far. A simple checklist of 3’s can do wonders for helping teachers share what they learned, like the following:
■ 3 “mind-blowing” moments
■ 3 ways I want to grow professionally
■ 3 ideas for campus and/or district improvement
Going to events like these with a plan and a purpose can make all the difference in the world when it comes to sharing benefits with your district.
Carl Hooker, Director of Innovation & Digital Learning, Eanes Independent School District
