The Wright Stuff Chics Conference

This last weekend I had the opportunity to attend a teacher conference in Atlanta. Attending this conference was sort of a once-in-a-lifetime type of opportunity. However, opportunities like this usually come with a cost.  What was my cost? Overcoming my fear of flying (now I have flown before, however it has been like 18 years), escalators and everything else in the world that is high in the sky, which to me is practically everything in Atlanta.  Every excuse possible started coming to my brain and it was screaming....NO, you can't do this!  But my heart said YES, it is time and you will not miss this opportunity!  So I put all fear aside and took the leap anyhow.

So here we are headed off to Atlanta!  I am smiling, but really inside I am SO NERVOUS!

The first night we were in Atlanta we attended a Gerry Brooks Meet and Greet.  It was a lot of fun!  It was so cool to see the journey of how it all started for him.  

Now, on to the conference.  It was a one day conference on Saturday.  This conference had the best speakers I had ever heard in education.  Each speaker had something unique that just stuck with me and I wanted to share these with you. Now, I know it will not be the same as attending the conference but I am hoping that you will ponder these thoughts and let them resonate in your heart.  I hope after reflecting on these thoughts that they will impact your thought process and teaching.

Gerry Brooks-
-Every child deserves a fresh start every day!  Relationships are the key to classroom management.  Look for the good in ALL things!  He referenced a book that goes along with this type of thinking: There's A Hole in my Sidewalk by Portia Nelson

Ron Clark-  (This is the ultimate highlight of the conference.  My interest in him started when my principal Mrs. Hamilton had our LINC committee read his book titled Move Your Bus.  I enjoyed this book and decided to read others.  This man is a phenomenal educator, leader, and has impacted education in a profound way.  His story is remarkable. ). Here are his thoughts that impacted me during the conference.
-DO SOMETHING!  You don't have to get on desks and dance, you don't have to sing, but DO SOMETHING that is unique to you to impact your students!
-NO EXCUSES!  Don't make excuses for your short-falls...just say you are sorry, it won't happen again and move on.
Defend your heart!  (This is big, always go with your heart and defend it!)
-Live fearlessly!  You have one life, make it meaningful!

Jen Jones and Kayla Delzer-
-Surround yourself with only those who help you grow.
-The person that does the talking is the person who does the learning.  
-Give opportunities to fail.

Casey Bethel-
-One child failing is too many...
99% success and 1% failure is WRONG!  Would that be good enough for your child?
Go for 100% success for EVERY kid!
"Their confidence in me became my confidence in myself."
Be Intentional- Be Inspirational- Be Invested- Be Impactful

Those are the highlights from the conference.  It was by far the best teacher conference I have ever attended.  I am so thankful that I decided to face my fears and GO!

The last highlight of my trip was getting to meet Ron Clark himself.  He signed my book and took a picture with us.  Definitely a moment of pure happiness for this teacher's heart!

I hope your week is AMAZING!  Happy Monday!