This week was a great week to catch up with old friends,
make a few new and be reminded that I am a part of something great! Why, because
earlier this week was the kickoff to our year – Summer Conference!
This year was the 49th annual conference held at
the beginning of August each year. It is the largest professional development
of the year for our teachers, administrators and staff. Annually educators from
comprehensive schools, technology centers, colleges, Skills Centers, the state
agency and retires gather to begin another year and to learn how to make the educational
opportunities our students are engaged in more meaningful.
The first day was filled with opening sessions, general sessions,
closing sessions, breakout sessions and more. Those in attendance heard from
legislators, Duane Cummings, awesome “TED” style presentations from students
and more. We had the opportunity to hear remarks from the state director and
the executive director of OKACTE. We celebrated with our colleagues as they
were recognized with various awards and we Tweeted!
The second day I spent with the Student Services Division
and had a great time learning and gaining new insight. The morning kicked off
with Andy Masters as he shared how we can Stress More, Be Late for Everything
and Die Young! Then I attended sessions on Time Management, Learning Styles, Economic
Development in the 21st Century and Employability Skills. Each
session provided me with an opportunity to bring something back personally or
professionally and I think my work will be improved because of what I was able
to pick up.
In 2011 I started the #OKACTE hashtag and each year it seems
to grow. Again this year we trended in Oklahoma City and Oklahoma! 2011 was also the
first year we added the live Twitter feed and it has gotten better every year.
Recently we added a social media wall before and after the sessions and we fill
it with pictures from Twitter and Instagram that have been hashtagged. A couple of weeks ago a trip to Texas and a stay in a hotel sparked an idea for this years newest addition - the Summer Conference frame! Numerous pictures shared this week included those taken in the "selfie booth" and and everyone who took a picture in it looked amazing!
It has been great being a part of helping you interact with your
colleagues at conference and I look forward to doing it for years to
come. Watch for something great next year as we celebrate the 50th annual summer conference and share our fun with the world!
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