The First in a Series

This past weekend I started a new personal tradition called #CanvaKeynote. My goal is to make one Canva image for every keynote I listen to. Here are the first three I created at the Imperial Valley #GAFESummit.

The inaugural image was inspired by Dee Lanier and his #ThinkOpen initiative.

The second image was from Chris Bell and his day two opening keynote. 

The final image was from Jason Markey and his Chance Favors the Connected School (Working Title keynote.

I don't want to give too much away about the keynotes, because I hope you get the chance to hear them for yourself, but I hope you like these images and check out these amazing men on Twitter.

I can't wait to go to my next event and continute to add to this series. 

My #GAFESummit Story So Far

I still remember my first #GAFESummit at New Technology High School in January 2014. At the time, I was just about half way through my Educational Technology Masters program at Boise State University, a relatively new teacher, and a lone wolf techie at my school site. I was fortunate to see Jamie Casap & Molly Schroeder speak at the event, and on the plane ride home I remember thinking to myself “I want to help others like they do.”

I’ve now been to 7 GAFE Summits and that internal desire hasn’t changed. I am often asked “You know so much about technology, why do you still go to these things?” First, I thank the asker for thinking I know ‘so much,’ but then I reply with “regardless of what I think I know, it’s technology. It’s always changing; there’s always something new to learn.” GAFE Summits make continually learning fun and exciting; no matter your ability level, an EdTechTeam summit is a great place to learn because you get to practice, meet amazing people, collaborate with them, and try new things.

In May of 2015 at the San Bernardino summit, I was able to present alongside people I’ve looked up to and followed on Twitter for years. During my first presentation at the summit, someone asked a question and I didn’t know the answer. Internally I froze, but I quickly channeled my inner googleyness and said ‘I don’t know, but let’s try it together and find out.”

Presenting at a GAFE Summit is invigorating. Not only do I get to practice my craft but I get to learn with the people that attend my sessions. Now instead of being afraid of questions I crave them. I want to app smash and test things live in front of other educators. I want to model not knowing and being willing to try. I know it is scary at first, I’ve been there, but I hope I can help others and show them it doesn’t have to be that way forever.

I’ve presented at 5 of the 7 summits I’ve attended. Each presentation, each summit has its own personality and potential for awesome. People think I’m crazy, but I can’t be away from the type of energy for long. A successful summit is when I’ve learned with the participants and being able to bring that knowledge and energy back to the teachers I work with as a Staff Development Specialist is an amazing gift the GAFE Summit provides.

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By they way, if you’re free the weekend of November 21st Temecula is hosting their first GAFE Summit and I’ll be there! Come hang out and enjoy the learning.