Comments on: Conspicuosly Absent at BLC

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:59:46 +0000

Hi Cathy,

I am here at BLC with the lot above in the comment queue. I’ll do my best to keep you in the loop. It would have been great to see you here, however.

By: Lisa Thumann

Lisa Thumann — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:00:16 +0000

Cathy,
We missed your input in the conversation yesterday at EdubloggerCon East. I hardly got to speak with you at NECC, but I know the smaller the setting, sometimes the better and I’m looking forward to Educon 2 to renew that sense of community. We had a taste of it yesterday – but it was too short!

Lisa

By: Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:47:23 +0000

@Colleen and @Alice I will miss hanging with you girls and learning so much from you once again. I’ve already begun the conversations to be involved in Educon2.1. We must have a reunion!

@Ewan – I still am reeling from your announcement about leaving education to be in in a television industry. I have to give it up to you though, as you are a lot of the reason i was able to enjoy BLC last year, and desired to be there this year, even if only virtually. Your photos (which have already begun rolling out) and blog posts about the conference last year really gave me a feeling of being present and accounted for. Say hi to jeff M for me!

By: Ewan McIntosh

Ewan McIntosh — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:31:41 +0000

It’ll be a shame not to see you again this summer, for some more time maybe, but I understand your thoughts. Conferences like this one, in particular, depend on teachers going back home afterwards and running mini-BLCs or mini-NECCs in their districts. Hopefully those coming will do so; I’ve already seen Jeff, so will hope that he does something along those lines. Already, with UTC, they’ve shown great willing on Continuing Professional Development. I’d say things are looking up in your part of the world.

By: Alice Barr

Alice Barr — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:12:23 +0000

Hi Cathy:
I commend you for making this decision, as hard as it must have been. I am so impressed with your work and all the ideas you have shared. I’ll miss seeing you f2f for sure!. But, perhaps it’s worth thinking about this as a long term goal of getting the district team as excited as you are about 21st century learning. It’s great that you were able to influence a team to attend. This decision may come to benefit you in other ways. It could be the beginning of some great happenings for students in your district…. Hope to see you at EduCon2.1

By: colleenk

colleenk — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:58:09 +0000

Hi Cathy,

I have to echo Charlene’s sentiment – your decision is certainly a noble one. I hope the “lucky six” will be changed by the experience and will share their epiphanies with others in the district.

I will miss not seeing you there but will look forward to Educon 2.1. I’ll be attending Marc Prensky’s sessions – I’ll see if I can get him talking about his math game

By: Pat

Pat — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:58:33 +0000

I was sharing your story with my husband and we both want to commend you on such a conscientious attitude. As a SC taxpayer, if more teachers would act as responsible as you did, maybe there would be more money for things that could affect more people. I think it says alot that you made this decision and the administration didn’t make it for you. I know how hard it must have been for you to make this decision but we applaud you! My hubby wants to know if you would move to our county and influence people here!

By: Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:01:34 +0000

@Diane – Being new in my school, I didnt’t feel I had the “pull” to get another to go. Guess that means I still have my work cut out for me. The one (I wanted to go (Mr Granito) couldnt b/c princ said I needed a female roommate–imagine that. He would have been fab. He has recently moved to northern NJ darn it!) The library coord. expressed concern to me about my decision to stay home, so i suppose that is affirmation that I am the reason they decided to go. Doesn’t that sound a little egotistical and self centered. I guess this post is also my little pity party. But I a living with my decision, and I am hoping the Ustreams I think are going to come out will be solid and wonderful!! The EdubloggerCon East material so far has been great. Your friend, Bud the Teacher, and Stefanie Sandifer have been leading the backchannel to me.

@Charlene How wonderful for you to encourage me in the middle of my pity-party! Let’s hope I have great things to share about this year. BTW–I can’t seem to get your blog to load…

By: Charlene

Charlene — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:43:18 +0000

Hi Cathy
I know we haven’t met f2f, but we have crossed paths in this virtual world of ed-techies. I commend you for your very noble decision, and for encouraging others to attend so that they may “catch the vision.” Keep us updated on their impressions and any changes that occur in the coming year from the seeds you have planted!! That, in itself, will be extremely rewarding and beneficial for your students.

By: diane

diane — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:37:09 +0000

Cathy,

I hope your belief that less committed educators should be exposed to the riches and benefits of such a conference results in a core group of inspired and connected people.

Have your administrators indicated that the money they “save” by your withdrawal will, indeed, be used for PD? The fact that the district is willing to fund such travel & learn opportunities would lead me to believe that they do more than pay lip service to 21st century learning.

That bodes well for staff and students!