Aim to Be Awesome, Not Perfect

I am getting ready for my first ISTE conference. I have my packing list (layers, tennis shoes, battery charger, etc) and I already hit HEB for the important things (travel hair spray, contact solution, and little half-and-half cups for my morning coffee).  But the important part - the sessions - I am having a little trouble with. I can't quite decide what my focus should be - more coaching related or more classroom related - and I am struggling with the schedule. I like a visual schedule and I prefer to put it in Google Sheets.  With ISTE, it is a little harder. The sessions don't start at the same time, exporting my schedule is difficult, and the poster sessions are all listed separately. I understand there is an agenda in the ISTE app, but that doesn't help me see what sessions are offered when, to help me decide where to go. And when I put in all the poster sessions I want to check out - those times are now really full in their agenda. There are definite sessions...

Regular professional development does not always reach everyone. Sometimes it covers material the learner already knows; other times it goes to fast and is too advanced; and may not even be applicable in the learner's classroom. When this happens to you, how can you learn and grow as an educator on your own? Reading:  There are several books that can help teachers learn new engagement or management strategies.  Here is my Amazon book list .  Some of the books, like Shift This , have weekly chats on Twitter (sign up for the #ShiftThis Remind to get notifications about the chat) Podcasts:  There are lots of educational podcasts that are available, based on what you want to learn.  I suggest checking out Google Teacher Tribe , Sustainable Teaching , The 10 Minute Teacher , and Kids Deserve It .  Conference Handouts:  After conferences, a lot of presenters will share their work, either on their personal website or on the conference website. ...