I can’t imagine teaching without a teacher recharge. When I say recharge I mean some time off from the students to reflect and plan and get ready for a new year. I also mean being with people who share the passion of the job of educating little minds as much as I do. I really could not do the job of teaching without the well needed breaks (although I and most teachers work through breaks – just without students around us). Plus to further spark my teacher battery, I need colleagues and educators around me that love this job as much as I do. Teachers who see the positive of what we do over the negative. Teacher pals that just get it!
Summer is here… so I am recharging. Creating new things for my classroom and for my new students. Each year I think this will be the best one yet. Another recharge for me is being around education even when I am off. So, off six of my favorite peeps and I drove on our own dime to Michigan for two days of a teacher recharge. Five hours of planning out the year in my car with two great colleagues and hours of Professional Development at Nerd Camp!
My first Nerd Camp!
The Nerd Camp Website explains Nerd Camp in more detail…. However, here is my spin on what it is…
Two days of Professional Development for K – 8 ELA Teachers who understand that teaching reading is about helping children find the joy of reading. Children’s authors galore and experts of various K-8 topics coming together to help educators reach their students hearts and minds. Again, that is my feeling from the event – Click here to read the website!
The opening of camp starts with seven minute inspiring “Ted-Like Talks” from various children’s authors and educators of ELA. It made me laugh. It made me cry and it made me glad to be an educator. Then you go to three sessions of your choice to learn, learn, learn from other educators.
I loved hearing Passionate Learners, Pernille Ripp author of Passionate Readers speak.
At the end of Day One, many, many authors gift their books to you and spend time signing copies. You can see Dav Pilkey, author of Captain Underpants below. What a kind, sweet man. To be honest…. he was not what I expected. Just read the post on the Book Bug Facebook page to get a look at his character!!!
Here is a picture of us with Jarrett J. Krosoczka author of Jedi Academy and the Lunch Lady Series and Raúl the Third of the Lowrider series.
Day 2 is filled with more professional development and inspiration from other leaders in education.
If you ever get the change try a NERDCAMP as a way to recharge that teacher battery! What do you do in the summer to recharge?
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