WeLearn...Boy, Have We Ever

For the past three years Yorktown Community Schools has hosted an IDOE Summer of eLearning conference. Each year I've had a front row seat to the conference planning process. The first year I was a presenter, but jumped in on the planning a week before the conference to help with the last minute details. The past two years I've served as conference coordinator, planning everything from the keynote speakers and schedule of sessions to the design of the name tags. I've done a lot, but I haven't done it alone. My small but mighty tech team, our media specialist, and even our superintendent have all worked tirelessly to see that our conferences have been successful. It is their dedication to detail that has made each event a truly professional learning experience for those who attend. Each year our attendance has grown and conference feedback has been positive from those who have attended. Last year we branded our conference "WeLearn", a title/theme that promotes collaborative learning and embraces the idea of making learning a game, complete with avatars similar to those on the Wii system. (Get it? ;) 

Each year our conference has featured topics that are important in the world of EDTECH. We have been mindful to provide sessions that meet the needs of our own YCS teachers as well as the needs of those in the neighboring districts whose teachers often attend. But aside from all of that, so much more learning goes on at WeLearn. Lessons about who WeAre, how WeLook, and where WeLack were learned by those of us doing the planning. That’s right we were learning too, even before we ever sat through a single conference session. These lessons cannot be documented with PGP points, but rather with wisdom that impacts how we function as a district as well as how we interact with others.

WeLearn has taught us who WeAre. WeAre a corporation that truly believes that access to technology provides students and teachers with opportunities that would otherwise not exist. Opportunities to connect, create, and facilitate learning using methods that mirror the world we live in. The caliber of sessions that our own YCS teachers present each year is evidence of this. It is no doubt thanks to the leader of our district who has developed and continues to promote our vision. Her leadership has a direct impact on the attitudes about technology of all stakeholders in our district. As a parent of three YCS students myself, I appreciate that.  WeAre preparing our students for their world.

WeLearn has taught us how WeLook to others. The saying "perception is reality" is spot-on in the world of education. The comments and feedback from those who have attend WeLearn show that Yorktown is viewed as an EDTECH leader in our area and in the state. Folks look to us as an example, which can be a both a blessing and a curse. While the compliments and recognition are great, it is added pressure on us to deliver. This poses challenges when hiring new teachers and administrators, developing professional development plans, and ensuring quality instructional practices in classrooms. Nothing changes more quickly than tech. Seeing that we are keeping up is a constant challenge, but we are committed to seeing that the way WeLook represents the reality of who WeAre.

Finally, WeLearn has shown us where WeLack in resources. Lacking in resources in not new in education. The conference planning process brings full attention to how lean we are administratively and in our tech department. We are fortunate to have access to devices in our district, but the number of people assigned to see that these work and are used well is very low compared to other districts functioning at our same integration level. This becomes clear each year during the six months of planning for WeLearn as we struggle to keep up with our regular assigned job responsibilities while taking on the second job of organizing this event. So why do it? That PD piece, the "use it well" part of our job. Teacher buy-in is often a battle that folks in a position like mine face. YCS teacher participation in this summer learning opportunity is voluntary. While not all YCS teachers attend, the number of YCS teachers and administrators who come to WeLearn has greatly increased over the past three years. This year we had five times the number of YCS employees attended than the year our conference debuted. While we are still not at 100%, WeLearn is inspiring and motivating a number of teachers enough that they want to attend in an effort to improve their tech integration skills despite the fact they are not compensated for doing so. It is this type of dedication that further illustrates who WeAre.

I'd like to thank the IDOE for providing us with this opportunity the past few years. Not only has WeLearn helped hundreds of Indiana educators improve their integration practices, but it has helped us as hosts learn more about our district. So whether you’re a WeLearn attendee, presenter, or a conference planner I guess our conference slogan applies.  iLearn, uLearn, WeLearn...TOGETHER. 

For a snapshot of this year's conference, check out our #ycsWeLearn Storify.