Comments on: Where are the leaders?

By: Fran

Fran — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:47:14 +0000

Cathy,
I’m sorry that you did not have a large crowd attend your presentation, but as others have pointed out, you made a difference for those 15 who did attend. You are the proverbial rock dropped in the pond – the ripples will continue until the edge of the pond has gentle waves on its shores.
I’m guilty of wanting things NOW…but one step at a time will get us where we are going.

By: Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:50:57 +0000

@Mary–I am encouraged to continue presenting what a 21st century library should be offering in our schools, so will keep submitting proposals to the “other” conferences besides the library focused ones. I especially think our administrators need to hear and see it. I want them to go back to school and ask how can we do these things in a collaborative positive manner. I am glad to be an inspiration to you and others. Thanks for commenting today.

By: Mary Woodard

Mary Woodard — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:44:24 +0000

Cathy,

I commend you for going outside your comfort zone and presenting to these administrators! Your library liaison is right – we do have to reach out to other educators by presenting best library practices at their conferences. You’ve inspired me to work on this also. Thanks!

By: Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:50:50 +0000

@Steve – Touche! Point made. I did not slight my small audience at all, but rather ave it my all. I thought of it as a “practice run” for the same preso I’m giving next week at a true “tech” conference.

@John – you are correct too. I’m just more accustomed to larger audiences–even from SLI. I’ve been presenting there for a few years, and always had a good large number.

I’m very “over” it this morning. Moving on!

By: Steve Sokoloski

Steve Sokoloski — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:21:26 +0000

A while back I won a Toyota Tapesty Grant. One of the requirements was to come to the following year’s NSTA Conference and present about the work. We developed a whole school composting project and literally produced compost for our spring “Grandparent’s Day” now (renamed “Special Person’s Day”). Every special guest got a marigold in a small pot grown in our compost.

So, I got to go to Las Vegas with charts and graphs and about 25 sandwich size bags of compost. I was given a presentation time of 4:30 PM on Friday afternoon in an out of the way breakout room on the third floor of the conference center. I got to present to my wife, the guy from Toyota, a lady who used to live in my school district and was curious about her home old town, and my Superintendent who as an old science teacher always goes to NSTA.

Looking out at the vast crowd, I began by telling them the story of the New England preacher who woke early on Sunday morning to find that overnight there was a tremendous snow storm, 2 maybe 3 feet had fallen. The preacher dug his way from the rectory to the church, shovelling the walkways and clearing snow in time for Sunday services. He finished just in time to don his vestments. When he looked out into the church, there was no one there, save Claude, the old farmer who lived way back in the hills. The preacher was impressed but he walked down to the pew and said, “Claude, I am so pleased you got in with all this snow, but you are the only one here. Should I go on with the service?” And Claude answered, “Well, Reverand, if Ah was to go out ta the bahrn ta feed the cows, and only one showed up, I’d sure as hell feed it!” The preacher said, “You know Claude, you are right.” and he returned to the altar and began the service. Inspired by Claude’s dedication he gave it his all, especially the sermon. Two hours of fire and brimstone, God’s rath, the temptations of the devil, redemption and salvaton. At the end of the service he walked down to the front of the church to greet his “congregation”. When Claude came down to the door the preacher asked, “Well, Claude, how did you like it?” And Claude answered, “Well, Reverand, if Ah was to go out ta the bahrn ta feed the cows, and only one showed up, I’d sure as hell feed it, but ah don’t know that I’d GIVE IT THE WHOLE DAMN LOAD!”

And with that I gave a brief 5 minute summary and answered questions for about 5 minutes more.

By: John Woodring

John Woodring — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:58:15 +0000

I know it is a cliche but you got to about 15 “Starfish.” Maybe you started something from what you feel are humble beginnings. You are right, the technology supporters need to go to adminstrator conferences to get the message out. I got a small number today for my wiki presentation but they all seemed engaged and intrigued about what I said. Saw the same thing in your presentation. Keep up the faith, it will get better one day.