4.1e

Coaches inspire educators and leaders to use technology to recreate equitable and ongoing access to high-quality learning. Coaches:

E. Connect leaders, educators, instructional support, technical support, domain experts and solution providers to maximize the potential of technology for learning.

The last aspect of the Change Agent Coaching Standard is the largest connection piece of all of the indicators. We have now sparked the interest in implementing technology, looked at the accommodation aspects of digital tools being used in the classroom, cultivated encouraging and trusting relationships with educators, and recognized those educators who are utilizing technology and increasing high-quality teaching and learning. It is now time to move into the final piece of connecting all of the stakeholders who have shared visions for educational technology and the powers that digital tools have to “maximize the potential of technology for learning”. When I imagine “connecting leaders, educators, instructional support, technical support, domain experts and solution providers” my brain immediately jumps to my experience attending educational conferences. There have been two conferences that really seem to fit the criteria here for me.

1. My first experience at an educational technology conference was attending the NCCE Conference in 2019. This was the first large scale conference I had been to, and it blew my mind!  I was immediately immersed in a world of digital education and was introduced to all of the amazing digital tools and platforms that could be used to transform learning in my classroom. Each day you are offered the opportunity to engage with new ed. tech., hear from experts in the field, and collaborate with stakeholders from all over the US. NCCE (the National Council for Computer Education) holds the vision to “Lead, engage and assist educational communities to reach higher levels of student and educator success through the use of 21st century technology”. If you have never been to one of these conferences, I highly urge you to look into it! Find information here.
   
   
2. My second, an educational leaders conference, Get Your Lead On 2020. When I tell you my teacher heart exploded at this conference, I really do mean it. We were surrounded by these incredible Change Agents who were presenting on inspiring and heart-warming changes that were being made in classrooms and schools around the United States. The mission for these conferences is to “join our team of administrators as they provide you with strategies to engage your teachers and motivate them to learn, empower, and deliver their content in new and effective ways”. Find a GYLO Conference (or a Get Your Teach On Conference for teachers) here.