When a Conference Becomes a Community
What if a conference wasn’t just about sessions but also about shared meals, meaningful conversations, and real connections?
This year’s TCEA conference reminded me that the most impactful professional learning often happens between sessions. From donuts and trivia to podcasts and walking tours, this experience blended innovation, reflection, and community in the best possible way.
Fueling Learning: Breakfast With Purpose
I kicked off the conference by partnering with ClassDojo and BrainPOP to host an HTeaO and Voodoo Doughnut breakfast right outside the convention center.
There’s something powerful about starting the day with good food and good conversation. This simple act helped attendees refuel, reconnect, and walk into their sessions energized and ready to learn. It also fueled me by giving me the opportunity to chat with real people while literally breaking bread. It was definitely a great way to kick off a Monday. As I made my way through the convention center throughout that morning, it felt pretty awesome seeing HTeaO cups in hand of so many great educators.
Trivia, Tech, and Togetherness
One of the highlights of the week was hosting an epic trivia night with Robolink. This was in the planning for a few months and when it finally came to fruition, I couldn’t be happier of the outcome.
It was loud. It was fun. It was full of laughs, groans, food, and memories. More importantly, it brought educators together in a relaxed space where relationships, not just résumés, were built. The ambience at Casa Rio was perfect with an overview of the San Antonio River Walk. At times, I lost my voice trying to get people’s attention but it was worth it. We played six rounds including a halftime round and a gut-wrenching final round that actually turned the tables. The team that was in last place the whole time… shot up to third and became the “Most Improved” team that evening. This is happening again at a conference near you (as long as I’m there) so be on the look out for a future announcement. A huge shoutout to Frankie Baker and the entire Robolink team for supporting the vision, sponsoring this event, and handing out drones to the first place team. And an extra special shout out to everyone who attended. There were many events that evening but you chose to attend ours. Remember, don’t drink and fly!
Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Intelligence: A Podcast That Turned Into a Session
One of my favorite moments was recording a live podcast as an official TCEA session, diving into Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Intelligence with Brittanie Payne from El Campo ISD.
This wasn’t a passive experience. Attendees jumped in, challenged ideas, and raised thoughtful questions that gave all of us something to ponder long after the session ended. Real people, real dialogue, real learning. I spoke to some participants after who all had great things to say about our session, especially the AI checker portion of it. Thanks to those who attended and a special shout out to Brittanie for co-hosting with me. Be on the look out for that special episode dropping soon!
Breaking Bread & Building PLN: A Walking Food Tour
Taking learning beyond the convention walls, I hosted the official EdTech Bites Walking Food Tour through downtown San Antonio.
We hit three of my favorite spots:
Over two miles of walking, we shared stories, strengthened our PLN, and even showcased MagicStudent Quizzes to tie learning back into the experience. This was community-building at its finest with a side of connections. These Walking Food Tours have become a staple of mine at conferences and being able to showcase what San Antonio has to offer felt extra special. I’d like to give a huge shout out to the staff at Voodoo Doughnut for making sure our order was on time and fresh, a shout out to Manny over at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken for coming through for us and ensuring we all had piping hot plates ready for us, and an extra shout out to Ashok from Delicious Indian Cuisine for rolling out the red carpet for us and giving us our own space at their venue. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive for both food and experience. I couldn’t get enough mac and cheese, chicken tikka masala, and pastries the entire evening. But even better than the food were the conversations we had with one another while walking from place to place. Thanks again to MagicSchool AI for helping make this happen and for all those who participated. Always remember the motto of The EdTech Bites Walking Food Tours:
Connect, Eat, Walk, Repeat.
Making Vocabulary Stick (and Making It Fun)
I also had the opportunity to present strategies on making vocabulary stick with students. The turnout was fantastic, the interactions were lively, and the feedback was incredibly encouraging.
There were laughs, great questions, and meaningful takeaways—one of those sessions that reminds you why you do this work.
EdTech Friends, Real Connections, and Gratitude
Beyond the sessions and events, TCEA gave me the chance to reconnect with my edtech peeps. I got to enjoy lunches, hallway walks, and spontaneous catch-ups.
I even got to share the Walking Food Tour experience with my blushing bride. She’s my backbone and my biggest supporter, and getting to share this experience with her made it even more meaningful.
I also loved recording in-person podcasts at the ClassDojo booth. Real people. Real conversations. No video calls. Those authentic connections always lead to better dialogue and I absolutely love that.
Thank You, TCEA Community
Thank you to TCEA, every participant, everyone who attended my sessions, joined the social events, and supported this journey. This conference was unforgettable and extra special for me (and not just because I ALSO got food poisoning).
I learned a lot and I also had the time and space to reflect on my own practices, both professionally and personally. This is one I’ll be carrying with me for a long time.
Final Takeaways & Call to Action
TCEA reminded me that:
- Learning is amplified through connection
- Community is built through shared experiences
- Reflection fuels growth
👉 Did we connect at TCEA? Drop a comment, share your favorite moment, or reach out. I’d love to continue the conversation.