Naomi Meredith  00:00

What are you up to this summer? Are you looking for an innovative teacher conference to attend? Well, I have the perfect one in mind that you don't want to miss out on. In fact, this conference is perfect for all k through 12 educators who are looking for fresh ideas, build their community, and explore new innovative resources. I'm talking all about the InnEdCO conference and why you should attend this summer. 

Naomi Meredith  01:01

Can you believe it? We have made it over six months of the podcast, and 62 episodes and counting. When I originally launched this podcast, I really had no idea how this would go and how I would be able to support you in your earbuds. But I am so grateful for all of you who have been along this journey and for many more episodes and months and years to come. In fact, I want to get to know you better as a listener and what content I can continue to create in order to support you most in the elementary STEM space. I have a quick survey if you wouldn't mind filling this out. This will all be linked in the show notes. But if you fill this out, you'll be entered to win a giveaway. And five of you will receive a $15 Amazon gift card as a thank you. You have until February 21, 2023, to fill out this survey, and the winners are going to be announced the next day. Your answers for this survey are actually for my eyes only. I literally just want to get a feel for who's out there listening. I'm only going to use your email address to reach out if you are the winner. As I said, this link is in the show notes or you can fill out the survey, pause this podcast and go to Naomimeredith.com/podsurvey. P-O-D s-u-r-v-e-y. Speaking of creating things that you are interested in, you have asked and I have listened. I actually switched things up. I didn't know if anyone was interested. But you guys told me that you liked the K-2 STEM planning virtual workshop and it was such a success, which you can still jump in on and watch the session and get all of the materials it was all recorded. So because of this, I am going to pair this with a three through five STEM planning workshop in a couple of weeks. So keep your eyes and ears out for that soon. Also coming up at the end of March, we will be getting started with our STEM virtual book club. I don't have a fancy name for it yet, but we're figuring that out. So make sure to get on the waitlist for that. I'm going to also be sharing the book list soon if you want to get a head start on reading. I typically listen to the audiobook first and then I go back and read the physical books. So I read each book at least twice. So this is a great way to build your STEM community, talk about the book, and innovative topics when you're in this group. So you can join at Naomimeredith.com/bookclubwaitlist. 

Naomi Meredith  03:46

The first time I attended the InnEdCO conference, I was a classroom teacher, and I was absolutely mesmerized. I had attended other conferences in the past about various topics, and even a few conferences when I was on the yearbook committee in high school. So conferences weren't a new thing to me. But there was something different about the InnEdCO conference that was really, really special. I felt connected. And I felt like I was in the right place. Also, it was really cool for me attending this conference. It was my first ever time presenting with my still longtime friend and she was my coworker at the time, and then somebody else that we worked with, and I did not do a great job. Let me tell you about it. I presented on Seesaw, shocker, and it was just a really cool stepping stone to where I'm at today and where I am headed. Don't get me wrong. online conferences are great and you should still be attending them. They're super convenient. I present at those all the time. But there's something special about attending a conference in person where you are surrounded by other people who, I have in air quotations, get it. There's so much to be said about that human connection. There's something about this InnEdCO conference that has something special that I'm going to be sharing with you about. In fact, I have been an ambassador for InnEdCO. And now I am serving on the board. So I really believe in this organization. And I know that we believe in teachers and providing them with really great opportunities to connect and collaborate together. So of course, we have this conference. And there's other things too. But let me share with you why this conference is definitely something you don't want to miss out on. At the conference last year, there are over 150 different workshops, featured speaker sessions, and roundtables with more than 200 different presenters and co-presenters, who are primarily classroom teachers. So this is super special, where you get to be around people like you. So let's jump into those five reasons why you should attend the InnEdCO conference this summer. 

Naomi Meredith  06:04

First, and super important is it is collaborative and engaging. Sure, you can just sit and get the information, like most conferences, and not talk to anybody. But even if you're shy, you won't be able to help not talking to someone. It just has this intimate feel when you are there. And you just get a lot of opportunities in the sessions to chat with people. A couple of years ago, when I presented, I did a whole session about STEM survival camp. And what was really cool about the venue that we had this conference hosted at is there was a big fire pit outside. So everybody at my session we met at the big fire pit, we didn't have it on  since it was summertime. So just we had the feel of the fire. Everybody sat around the campfire, I presented about the session, the purpose behind STEM survival camp, what the challenges were, and all of that which you can go back and listen to episode four to hear all about it. And then teachers actually had the experience to try some of the challenges where I provided some of the materials. And then they had to go out into the woods, that were right next door to find things that would enhance their challenge. The teachers were laughing having a good time, they were taking pictures of their work asking me questions. So they did not have a chance to sit and get they were able to collaborate together, chat with me, chat with each other, and make new friends during this session. So there are so many other sessions that are like this, that give you the chance to learn from one another, which is so powerful. And that's probably why you are here listening to this podcast, you want to have the chance to learn from others. And especially if you're an elementary STEM, it can be isolating being pretty much the only person in your building who does what you do. So being around these other people who understand what you're going through and you can bounce ideas off of, it is so energizing. I'm energized just talking about it. In fact, the vendors are so much fun to talk to too. It's not all creepy, like oh, don't talk to me, don't talk to me, you actually want to talk to them. They want to hear your story and have you play along with the products, ask them questions. They don't pressure you to buy anything but just gives you a chance to see other tools that you might not have in your school or things you might want to write grants for later on, or things that you could work up to with your classroom budget, or however you get funding for your space. So this conference is definitely super fun and super engaging, and you will be pumped up for the rest of the day. 

Naomi Meredith  08:48

The second reason why you want to check out the InnEdCO conference is that there are relatable and knowledgeable speakers. We are very specific about the people that we choose for you to learn from. And most of them are actually still educators in the classroom. So what better way to learn from people who are doing what you're doing, can talk about their experiences, answer your questions, and be relatable? Because, really, how can you talk about teaching if you've ever been a teacher, right? Am I right? It's like a whole secret world. Not only that, but with the sessions, there are some awesome, awesome keynote speakers that we have throughout the week. Again, super fun and super engaging. I always learn so much. These are actually keynote speakers that you don't want to miss out on and go to your room and sneak a little nap or have lunch. You actually want to be a part of those. They are super, super fun. Again, totally worth your time. I always learn something new. And I just love being able to hear from people who are a teacher like me. 

Naomi Meredith  09:55

The third reason why you want to attend the InnEdCO conference is you have the opportunity to earn college credit. Not every conference can say you can do that. You spend so much time at a conference. And then yes, you have ideas. But wouldn't it be nice if you could apply it towards renewing your teaching license or moving up the pay scale? That is really cool. When you are there at InnEdCO, you can actually get that all sorted out. We have a booth where you can find out that information and earn that college credit that you've worked hard for. There are other things coming up within InnEdCO besides the conference that will give you this opportunity. But that's all I can really say. So that's a little sneak peek for you, you can always email me later, and I can chat with you about that. But there is this conference where you can earn that opportunity and then more awesome things to come. 

Naomi Meredith  10:50

The fourth reason you should attend the InnEdCO conference is you feel valued. I'm really not making this up. I totally understand how it feels like you're not getting noticed for what you do. You're constantly spinning your wheels in the sand, you're doing so much, and nobody really sees what you're doing. Are you really making a difference? I completely understand that feeling. But when you are here at InnEdCO, it is so supportive, and you feel valued by the organization and by other teachers that you're talking with all the really awesome conversations, just the whole day in itself just makes you feel valued. Even the little prizes and the little things that they have everywhere. It's just so much fun that you're like, What Why does my school do this? It's just so cool. And let me tell you a side tip, the after parties and a happy hour are where it's at. So you have your awesome sessions, and then you can continue the fun after the sessions. So I love how I always feel leaving this. It's almost like going to a retreat. I just feel so valued and supported in this experience. And the conference really does a good job and making you feel that way. 

Naomi Meredith  12:15

And the fifth reason why you should head to the InnEdCO conference is that it's located in Colorado. I know you're wondering where it was, I saved the best for last. And I'm just kidding. All of them are the best thing. But it's located in Colorado in Breckenridge. So if you haven't been to this part of Colorado, it's in the mountains but not very far. It's not a hard drive. So if you're not used to mountain driving, whatever, you're totally fine. It is so beautiful in Breckenridge at this time of year, this is the time to go it is absolutely gorgeous. And you can make a whole family trip out of this, a lot of people actually do that. Even if their significant other isn't a teacher, they'll bring them up with them. And then the teacher who's in the relationship will attend the conference. And then the family will hang out sometimes at lunch or even afterward. So your family doesn't have to be excluded. Just make it a whole family affair, and have a wonderful time at Breckenridge. There is a lot to do, and the town is super, super cute. It is from June 12-14. You don't have to go each day. I love it so much. I'm actually getting married a few days before this conference. And I'm still going because I love it that much. So if you end up going, come find me and let's take a selfie together because you're absolutely going to love it. 

Naomi Meredith  13:37

If the cost might be hindering your attendance to this conference, or really any other conference that you're thinking about, consider reaching out to your admin or people who are higher up who can offer you a grant. Maybe they don't even talk about their grant opportunities. But there's always a way and if you need help, email me. I would be happy to help you out for free to write a grant so you can have an experience that will really impact your teaching in a positive way and help you build your journey and elementary STEM. But definitely think of that or even think about if I attend, then I can present to the staff about my learning. I have done that before when I attended a math workshop at Stanford for my school. Or maybe you can lead a district presentation or write something about how this experience impacted your teaching. So even if your principal or admin or whoever says that this isn't possible, or they don't even mention it, you mention it. There is that opportunity. And consider don't go alone. Are there other teachers in your building who could come together and you can make a whole group experience out of this? There are special deals for group pricing and then the earlier you register, the better the deal that you get. So definitely consider that when you are thinking about this conference for the summertime. It's a great way to kick off the summer and ignite that spark in you for the upcoming school year. 

Naomi Meredith  15:06

As a recap, here are the five reasons why you should attend the InnEdCO conference this summer. First, it is collaborative and energizing. Next, you have relatable and knowledgeable speakers. Third, you have the chance to earn college credit. Fourth, you definitely feel valued while you're there. And fifth, it is located in Colorado. Ready to join in for InnEdCO 2023? You can register and find more information linked in the show notes or check it out using this direct link innedco.com/conference. I hope to see you there.