Podstock 2015 - the edtech conference that could

Alright, blog post # 2! Yay me!

If you're not sure why I'm celebrating only my second blog post, may I please direct your attention here: aka my first blog post.

But I digress.

Last week I was very fortunate to be invited to, and present at Podstock 2015 right in my own back yard (Wichita, KS). If you've never heard of Podstock, and you're an educator, OR you're an Educational Technologist, you should check it out. Don't believe me? Well naysayer, read more about Podstock HERE. Or go search the Podstock hashtag #podstock15 on your Twitter interface of choice.

Podstock is hosted by the ESSDACK organization and it is a fantastic conference. ESSDACK is an organization in Kansas that is dedicated to helping Kansas educators "be all that they can be" and it is evident in their workshops and the people that work for them. Folks like Kevin Honeycutt and Ginger Lewman work with/for ESSDACK and bring their passion to everything they do.

And on the topic of passion, that was what I immediately felt as I walked in for registration at Podstock, passion! I've only been back in Kansas now for 3 years after my time in Texas, so I've been working my way into the local conferences. I'd heard about Podstock before, but never been, so when it was recommended I submit a proposal, I jumped at the chance and was fortunate enough to get accepted.

Now I've been to conferences before; ALA, TLA, TCEA, ISTE, iPadpalooza, MACE, and they've all been great, and I've learned tons. But looking at that alphabet soup of organizations, it's pretty easy to get overwhelmed, as three of the four are either national or international conferences. Now given that TLA is the TEXAS Library Association conference, you might as well consider it to be international because Texas "is like a whole 'nother country" <- that's for all of my Texas friends, I couldn't resist.

But PASSION, man for such a small conference, their cup runneth over. Everyone that was there was super excited to be there, and the sessions were great with a wide cast of characters to present them. Incorporate a makerspace theme related to Steampunk, and well I'd say a good time was had by all. So if you're an educator, be it in Kansas, or otherwise, and you read this post, you really need to check out Podstock. I know I've officially added it to my list of MUSTS when it comes to conferences, which is a great transition into:

Top 10 Conferences Librarians/Educators/EdTechs should attend:
1. ALA - Great for School Librarians & Librarians alike (Unite the clans!)
2. ISTE (attend it at least once, such a repository of people and ideas in one place is awesome)
3. iPadpalooza - Still one of my favs, thought it is a "Learning Festival" not a conference
4. Podstock - I think the above post says it all
5. Miami Device - Hosted in Miami by Felix Jacomino, I'm attending/presenting this year!
6. Little Apple Tech Fest - This is our own little "festival" that we put on that I'm quite fond of
7. TCEA - Another one, like ISTE, that you should attend at least once
8. MACE - This conference is growing, and I see great things in the future for it.
9. State Book Festivals - Not so much for EdTechs, but Librarians & Techs alike should go to these!
10. San Diego Comic-Con

Okay, now I know what you're thinking, COMIC-CON? REALLY? And I'm gonna say yup. Why? Well that's for another blog post....

And so it begins - post conference high, and fulfilling a promise

As I sit here, 36+ hours post ISTE, I've got a lot to reflect upon.

Namely, how I felt last year after my first ISTE, as compared to ISTE #2 this year.

While it was the same conference, it was COMPLETELY different, not just geographically (Philadelphia vs. Atlanta) but the overall experience as a whole. That will be a separate blog post altogether as I want to get my thoughts together.

As for the title of this post, well that's simple, and this is where I begin. As I sat at a table last year at ISTE, I told myself I needed to start blogging. While I had every intention of getting it started, it simply didn't happen. So here is my start, in earnest. Baby steps to say the least, but hey it is a blog post! Also need to give a shout out to a couple of folks who have been encouraging me to blog ever since I took on this new position (that I am 3 years into), and that would be Carl Hooker, and of course my amigo Chris Parker. Two guys who I've had the pleasure to work with, collaborate with, and am proud to call my friends.  Thanks for the motivation fellas, let's see how well I do.

So before I sign off this post, I'm going to take a look at the future. I'm back in Manhattan, my home for the past 3 years, and it feels good. There's a lot to be done in the next few weeks.  I look at the calendar and I see a school year that is fast approaching, even though it seems like we just ended the 14-15 academic year.

I see three presentation dates that I'm pretty excited about for a variety of reasons.

I've still got 3 WONDERFUL Summer Reading Programs going that I absolutely need to visit.

I see new teacher orientation on the horizon which always makes me smile.

I see two schools that will have new librarians this fall, and my excitement for them, and what they can bring to those programs is at a fever pitch.

I see a school year fast approaching that will be unlike any year I've ever faced in my 14 years as an educator (has it really been that long?).

So if you're reading this, welcome. I hope we've met, or get to meet in the near future. If you've met me and want to collaborate with me, I'd love to, plain and simple.

And to make a pop culture reference.... stay tuned faithful folks. I'll be back on here before you know it, same "bat-time" and same "bat-channel".

-L