East Coast to the West Coast: NAAE Convention 2019

This past week #psuaged20 traveled to Anaheim, CA for the NAAE Convention in conjunction with ACTE Vision 2019. Throughout the week I had the opportunity to meet new people, attend professional development workshops, and hear inspirational words from keynote speakers.

Networking
Throughout the week I had the opportunity to talk to preservice teachers, seasoned teachers, and other state staff to influence my development in the coming years. The common theme across the board from the people I talked to was that NAAE offers professional development and leadership opportunities that can impact the classroom successfulness. 

Professional Development
Sitting in professional development workshops throughout the week had helped me find new ideas that I can use in the spring as well as ideas to balance my professional and personal life. Next semester I plan to use the one idea of cardboard models with metal projects. The students will create a cardboard model of the project before doing the actual project to save money on wasted materials. This will also help them gain an understanding of fabrication before working with metal. I also plan to implement a professional and personal life balance by using a planner. I will dedicate time to my professional life as well as personal life to save me from early burn out.

Inspiration
At the ACTE General Session a former astronaut had spoke to the group sharing ideas about not being afraid to fail. Heading into student teaching his ideas helped me realize to be successful I will fail in the classroom, but its the success story in the end that matters the most.

3 Questions
For future administrators
To attend this convention as an educator, how would the district help?

For cooperating teacher
How has professional development changed your classroom?

For Neil Fellenbaum
How has NAAE been impactful for you in your career?