#chrometastic

It's hard to describe just what ChromeCamp was like this past Saturday.  I'm still reeling from the inspiration and excitement that filled the morning.  For many in the education field, professional development doesn't always look quite like this, and I feel lucky to be part of a school district that strives for this sort of event and experience for its educators and other participants.  In the months leading up to Chromecamp, we shared ideas, reached out for donations, created centerpieces and decor, and tried to visualize every detail we could to ensure the success of our event.  The team was phenomenal, to say the least, which lead to a truly invigorating experience for all involved.  As people started to arrive the check-in table was buzzing, green screen was all smiles, and swag was flying into bags left and right!  I'm almost positive our swag bags rivaled that of a Hollywood Awards show.  Educators and Administrators from all over the area were networking over breakfast and were bright-eyed while brainstorming ideas to fill the session board.  The board was on its way and the prizes began...  This was probably as close as I'll ever get to understanding how Oprah felt during her Favorite Things show...

The excitement in the room was contagious and almost overwhelming... in the best way!  We started the day strong and the sessions kept it going.  I was lucky enough to work with a talented colleague in facilitating sessions on FlipGrid, Google Classroom, and Google Suite (Docs specifically).  This fluid EdCamp style of workshops is still new to many people.  Presentations aren't really the goal, rather educators sharing and conversing and leading one another.  Victoria and I did our best to get the ball rolling during our sessions and try to encourage the participants to share ideas, showcase what they know, and interact instead of sit and listen.  It was a great feeling to be able to help encourage other educators to share their knowledge with one another and to bring people out of their shell into a new style of learning.  The Prize Patrol would enter into sessions at random to hand out, even more, amazing prizes, and it continued the excitement throughout the day!  As if the knowledge gained in sessions weren't enough!?  When the sessions finished and the mass of people headed back to the main room we were able to reflect with colleagues and friends about sessions we had visited/helped lead throughout the morning and of course... you guessed it... more prizes!  

It would have been a dream just to attend this event, but I was lucky enough to actually be involved in its development.  It truly was the kind of professional development that reinvigorates you as an educator/administrator.  With all that I learned, even as a facilitator, I went into this week feeling on top of the world.  In addition to new contacts, and new knowledge, I gained a new level of excitement for what I do...the best prize of all.