Nerd Camp MI 2018

Oh, hello!

Nerd Camp MI was two weeks ago, and processing what I've learned has been a process.  This was my second time at Nerd Camp MI, and it did not disappoint.  Last year, I came across Nerd Camp after becoming more involved on Twitter.

Side note: I resisted Twitter for a long time because I was all like, "Social media is taking over the world!" I joined on the suggestion of a friend because there was apparently a lot of teaching resources.  She was more than right. Okay, this side note is now a side paragraph.  I guess a new post on the influence of Twitter is in the near future.

ANYWAY...I went to Nerd Camp last year by myself on a whim.  It looked promising and I could get credits for free.  What's not to love? Oh my gosh, it was so much more than just getting in a few free SCECHs.  It felt like I had found my people.  Teachers, librarians, authors, and book nerds of all kinds.  Every session I went to (and there are approximately 1 million to choose from) was the best one.  I was convinced.  And I'm sure everyone else felt the same way.  I met authors I admired, authors I never heard of, and teachers who want only the best experiences for their students and any kid they may run into.  I walked away hooked.  I felt lucky that I only had about an hour drive to this literacy extravaganza.

Fast forward to this year when registration was announced.  I signed up that day and it was a good thing I did, because tickets went fast.  I couldn't wait until July and I convinced a co-worker to come along for the ride.

Again, I experienced only the best sessions.  I choose the best ones.  It's because every session is one of the best. I listened to expert panels on graphic novels and revision.  I heard Donalyn Miller, Pernille Ripp, Chad C. Everett, Sara K. Ahmed,  and Meg Medina give passionate nerd talks.  I spoke with Jacqueline Davies about the power of service learning in the classroom.  I learned of First Book, a phenomenal organization whose mission it is to get high quality books into the hands of kids.  I learned how to connect with authors like Josh Funk and Jarrett Lerner through Skype and FlipGrid.  I learned how to draw sneaky eyebrows from Laurie Keller.  The list goes on and on.

Come to Nerd Camp.  Then spread that nerdiness in whatever you do.  Get passionate about books, or writing, or teaching, or sneaky eyebrows.  Just get out there and share it.