I’ve never been to ISTE before. This was my first trip to ‘the room where it happens’ and it didn’t disappoint. I arrived on Saturday morning and within five minutes of stepping into the conference center, I heard people geeking out about tech tools, hashtags, and backpacks. I was right where I needed to be.
Prior to the trip friends were asking why I’d make the trek all the way to Denver and the answer was simple, the people. My goal for ISTE this year was catching up and meeting people. Every time I go to a conference I learn just as much, if not more, from the people in attendance. This conference was no different.
I was fortunate to connect with so many people from the internet that I could not contain my happiness. Not only did I get to reunite with my Google Innovator #MTV16 family, but I got to meet the many of the amazing #COL16 cohort. Then there was the #tosachat, #connectedtl, and #personalizedPD friends. Then it was great to connect with leaders from EdTechTeam, BreakoutEDU, and CUE.
Throughout every conversation, I noticed one theme. We all are struggling; some of us need help with getting leadership on board, gamification, robots, pushing beyond the S of SAMR, or getting our friends connected to a PLN. But what I love about the educational technology community is we don’t give up and we share. No one had the answer, but we all were willing to share where we are in the process.
So, when asked what’s my one nugget from ISTE it isn’t a tool, app, device, or program. It doesn't let perfect get in the way of progress.
In January of 2014, I went to my first EdTechTeam Summit featuring Google Apps for Education. Molly Schroder presented a keynote about Living in Beta, and she showed a video about Google’s project X.
I was hooked. I wanted to run back to my district and spread the word of iteration and moonshot thinking, and in some ways I did. Yet, like any post-conference experience, there were the moments of extreme exhilaration and loneliness. Lucky for me, I had found my tribe of like-minded people and they were and are only ever 140 characters away.
Since 2014 I’ve integrated technology into classrooms, and coached other teachers to do the same, but I wanted more. I wanted to reach beyond the boundaries of my school district and social media friends to learn from and help others. To accomplish this, I started going to more summits but this time, I was presenting not just participating.
Then a window of opportunity opened, the application for the Google Certified Innovator Program opened. But like all good things, nothing happens overnight. For weeks I contemplated, read and reread the application, yet each time I didn’t start typing. I felt like I was not good enough, or smart enough, or googly enough. Lucky for me, I have an amazing husband and PLN that convinced me to apply. I furiously designed a t-shirt, learning space, created a video, and wrote about my potential innovation project to help more teachers access coaches to help them with anything education related. When I hit submit I believed in my work and vision, but did not think I would be chosen. Then weeks later, while sitting in a meeting, the congratulations email arrived. I lost every sense of decorum and yelped. Despite my imposter syndrome I made it, just like my tribe thought I would.
While I waited for the academy to begin I began to connect with my fellow future innovators via Google Hangouts, Voxer, Google+ and Twitter. I was so happy to see that not only did I get in, but so did my coworker along with eight of my friends. Our first team building exercise happened before we even arrived thanks to the hard work of the BreakoutEDU team. We solved their puzzles and then we started to create our own game with a partner from the cohort.
Then the travel day finally arrived. My fellow Innovators and I arrived in Mountain View California for the academy. Some of us arrived early and explored San Francisco but we all met up at the hotel to get ready for the journey ahead. We all rode together on a bus from the hotel and it was immediately a party. There were hugs, cheers, and a great atmosphere. When we arrived at the Google campus we were all smiles. For some, it was the first time meeting in real life and for others it was the first time they had seen someone in months, it was a family reunion of sorts.
During the first night, we got to know each other by playing our created BreakoutEDU games. After we broke out of our creations, we played a Google-themed game that will be made available to the community soon. Then we found our team for the rest of the academy and had some awesome Google food. In our team, we were tasked with creating a team name, cheer and to pick a team song. We were also introduced to the tenets of the Innovator Program, Transform, Advocate, and Grow. Everything we did in some way, shape, or form connected to one or more of these tenets.
Day 2 was our first full day at the Google Partner Plex and our introduction to Sparks and Sprints. Sparks are motivational, inspirational talks, or prompts for personal inquiry from Google Innovators and Googlers. Sprints were accelerated work times to begin working on our Innovator Project. What I found really helpful during the academy was we were allowed to abandon the idea from our original application. While I liked my idea, I was extremely worried about district red tape. In addition, we were told we could team up with other people to expand or combine an idea. There were plenty of opportunities for reflection, communication and of course fun. In addition, we were able to participate in a HyperCamp. If a demo slam and an EdCamp had a baby this would be it. Innovators were able to present something they are excited about and then they had a station in the room where others could come visit and learn.
I think one of my favorite Sparks on day one was from Mark Wagner because he took the idea of Moonshot thinking and made explicit connections to education. An idea that once seemed like a far-off vision because something tangible I could take home and use to effect change. When a meaningful problem, an innovative solution, and the appropriate technology come together a Moonshot for education is born. Over the two-day academy we all explored our Innovation idea and with our Coach, we looked at ways we could take our idea to the Moonshot level.
Day 3 involved more Sparks and Sprints but what I found most useful was the extended time to work and expand on our innovator projects. There were prompts we could use to guide our process as we worked. The end of the day included a gallery walk so we would provide constructive criticism to our peers. It was great to see what people accomplished during the two days and see what people had to say about what we completed.
The academy culminated with a Google Hangout On Air live Innovator Academy Graduation. Other Google Innovators from around the world were able to log on and celebrate with us. When our names were called, they played our team theme song and we had our graduation photo taken. After, we took our official class photo and celebrate with a glass or two of champagne.
It was an amazing three days. There are so many stories, inside jokes, selfies, and new friends. Usually after such an amazing event like this, I would be sad because it was over but really the adventure has only just begun. We have projects to work on so the conversations and positive energy is going to stay strong. Now that the academy is over, I hope I can bring the experience from the Innovator Academy back to my school district and that our Innovator projects can not only help my teachers but those around the world. While at the academy, I learned our struggles in the classroom are not our own, they are universal. It will take new ideas and bravery to move forward, ultimately doing what is going to be best for our students. 💡
