Attending GaETC for the first time was nothing short of incredible. From the moment I stepped into the buzzing conference space, I could feel the energy of educators eager to innovate and inspire. The sessions, the conversations, and the connections all came together to create a unique learning experience that I’ll never forget (despite the fact that the 2024 presidential election results had just come in and there was also a sense of unspoken uncertainty in the air). Whether it was soaking up new ideas or sharing my own expertise, I left feeling recharged and excited to bring these ideas back to the teachers and students I support.
Connecting with Fellow EdTech Foodies at the Kami Booth
One of the highlights of my GaETC journey was partnering with Kami at their booth. They generously purchased copies of my book, Cooking Up Experiences in the Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons, for me to sign and give away to attendees. It was so rewarding to meet like-minded edtech enthusiasts who shared my passion for combining food and education. We swapped stories, recipes, and ideas for creating memorable classroom experiences. Watching attendees light up as I handed them a FREE signed copy of my book was an absolute joy. To learn more about my book and purchase on Amazon, use the button below. Thanks again, Kami!
Presentations That Sparked Conversations
I had the privilege of presenting two sessions at GaETC: “Slay Vocabulary With Your Students” and “What Baking A Cheesecake Taught Me About Coaching”. The rooms were packed, the audience was engaged, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Educators shared how they planned to immediately implement the strategies and insights from my sessions, which was truly gratifying. Sharing these ideas with such an enthusiastic crowd reminded me of the power of collaboration and professional growth. I have done these sessions before but as any public presenter will tell you, they are always a work in progress. This is the 4th iteration of my vocabulary session and the 3rd iteration of my cheesecake one. Like I mentioned, the feedback was very positive and I even had people tell me that my sessions were the top ones they attended at the conference. I’m not saying that to knock any other sessions or presenters. I say that to say that this is the culmination of my work in this edtech space. I’ve been doing this for a long time and hearing those words from educators gives me a sense of paying it forward to those who serve our students and communities. I was able to connect with some of the attendees from the sessions and have some meaningful conversations after to continue talking pedagogy and current classroom realities. So to any and all conference presenters reading this, the second you are finished presenting a session, go back and look at ways to make it even better. There is always room for improvement and with the ever changing educational landscape, I guarantee you that you’ll hit that “edit” button and build upon your already fabulous work. I can say that with confidence because that’s what I constantly do and I’m now seeing and hearing the results of my work!
Podcasting Powered by MagicSchool AI
GaETC also gave me the unique opportunity to do something else I absolutely love, podcast. Thanks to MagicSchool AI, who sponsored all nine of my conference episodes, I recorded and released a podcast episode every day for nine days straight! These episodes captured the energy of GaETC, featuring conversations with attendees, presenters, and thought leaders. It was amazing to hear their stories and perspectives while sharing the highlights of this phenomenal event. To learn more about MagicSchool AI and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai. If you’d like to listen to these conversations, check out the links below and make sure you’re subscribed on your favorite podcast app.
Final Thoughts
My first GaETC was a whirlwind of learning, sharing, and connecting. From signing books to delivering presentations and diving deep into podcasting, every moment was a reminder of why I love being part of the edtech community. If you’re looking for an event that will recharge your professional batteries and inspire you to think bigger, I highly recommend attending GaETC. And don’t forget to check out my GaETC episodes embedded below to hear the excitement! Buen provecho!
