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Collage of friends from ISTE

Chicago: GCI Energizer and ISTE

nancy Awesomeness, Professional Development, Reflection

What an amazing week last week was. I visited Chicago and was able to spend time with my fellow Google Innovators at the Google Energizer, then it was on to 4 fabulous days of learning and networking at ISTE.

Google Energizer

In response to feedback from Certified Innovators, Google organized several Energizer events where we could get together to learn, connect, and get re-energized. One of these events was in Chicago, the day before ISTE, and it was a wonderful day. Over 100 of us came to spend the day at the Google Chicago offices, where we shared, worked together, and talked about how to change the world. I was also lucky enough to meet two previous TLC Ninja podcast guests in real life: Sarah Stuhr and Lisa Berghoff. I came away completely re-energized. Thank you to Google and to all my fellow Innovators for making this such a fabulous event! I can’t wait until the next one!

Google Chicago Energizer collage
Top to bottom, left to right: Google Chicago sign, Swiss Army Knife team, view from rooftop, group photo, mini #TOR16 reunion, Sarah, Nancy, & Lisa

 ISTE

It would be impossible to share everything that happened at ISTE. I’m still processing and reflecting on the four days of the conference. In no particular order, here are a few highlights:

  • Winning a ticket to see Hamilton (thank you, Newsela!)
  • Getting to introduce my podcast partner Lisa to Eric Curts
  • Sharing #eduprotocols with Kristy Kimball, a teacher from my district
  • Joining the Google Innovator Micro-Kitchen poster session to share the TLC Ninja podcast
  • Having a sneak peek at so many new technologies coming this fall
  • Representing Common Sense Education as an Ambassador at their booth
  • Making new connections and renewing old ones – my favorite part of any conference
  • Becoming better acquainted with the beautiful – and delicious – city of Chicago
Collage of friends from ISTE
Friends old and new: Brandi Miller, Lisa Nowakowski, Joe Marquez, Lisa N (again), Meredith Jones, Wanda Terral, Kim Voge, Chris Tenbarge, Trevor Knowlton, Lisa N (yet again), Eric Curts, CoffeeCUE meet-up

 

TLC Ninja guests
Sarah Thomas, Susan Stewart, Chris Tenbarge, Kat Goyette, Adam Juarez, Jody Green, Tara Linney, Sandra Chow, all #ninjateachers. Visit tlc.ninja to see their episodes.

 

Chicago sightseeing images
So many beautiful places to see.

Blogging Buddies

In an effort to post more frequently, I have joined the ISTE Ed Tech Coaches Blogging Buddies network. This group is designed so that coaches and others who help teachers integrate technology can connect and learn from each other through our blogs. Members commit to posting at least once a month, in addition to reading and commenting on each other’s blogs and sharing the blogs with our PLN. To learn more about blogging buddies, or to sign up, visit this site.

2 thoughts to “Chicago: GCI Energizer and ISTE”

  1. Nancy,
    What a great experience in ISTE. I am thankful that I had you to help me navigate the terrain! Hopefully, next year, we can get more teachers to attend:)))
    Thank you for all that you do!

    1. It was truly my pleasure. I enjoyed spending time with you, although I wish it could have been more. We definitely need to start campaigning now for next year! Let’s think about submitting a presentation.

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