I've spent most of my life trying to be something to someone.
An indispensable employee.
A creative educator.
An inspiring mentor.
A reliable friend.
An exceptional father.
A devoted husband.
Every time. Trying to be something to someone.
I realized this today as I walked back to my hotel following the closing keynote of the ISTE conference in San Diego.
- Meet someone new each day.
- Leave your hotel room.
- Venture into the unknown.
- Put yourself out there.
This year's ISTE was profoundly memorable to me because I found the courage to put myself out there. With clenched teeth and eyes averted downward, I thrusted my hand out to shake and say, "Hi, I'm Matthew" more than I care to recall. But all was not lost.
I made two friends whom I won't soon forget.
I want you to meet them, too, because I have a feeling their names will come up in many future blogposts. Therefore, meet Ryan and Cheryl.
We met right away. Connected right away. And were inseparable right away.
And suddenly, there at ISTE, I was something to someone.
...and I'm pretty sure that's the best way to experience a conference, ISTE or otherwise.
As for Ryan and Cheryl, there will be great things in our future. Things that will expand the horizons of what we previously thought of as motivating and engaging to our students. Things that will bring our school (Tacoma, WA and Columbia, MD) closer together. Things we'll want to share with all of you.
...but first let's get over the jet lag.
I am so glad you found what you were looking for and more. But, I am happy you are home! xoxo
ReplyDelete-wifey
I'm happy I'm home, too. And that I have found those like-minded, amazing friends that will change me and drive my practice for a very long time to come.
DeleteI'm fairly certain that you meant something to everyone you met. You have a very engaging personality, and I would describe you as sparkly. I'm betting that your students adore you! Glad you are home now with your family!
ReplyDelete@kingspaced
Carrie, thank you for writing. If you've read between the lines on this blog, you'll know that self esteem and making new connections does not come at all easily for me. Yet, somehow, meeting the *right* people at ISTE seemed to help me shed all of those fears. It was a very good week.
DeleteAww...your post gave me goosebumps. I met Cheryl last year and though we only got to hang out in a session we had together, I could tell she is a gem. This year, I extended my hand to you and introduced myself to you and I am so glad I did. Cheryl had talked about you with a beautiful beaming look on her face earlier in the evening..priceless!
ReplyDeleteWhat a week. Thanks for being so friendly when I said hello :)
Cheryl is an incredible person and I look forward to all that our careers will produce in the near future. We've got a master plan to rock the worlds of our students and staff... and maybe even ISTE. Can't think of a better person to have around, albeit she's on the other side of the country.
DeleteIt was really great meeting you, Joan. Any friend of Cheryl's is a friend of mine. PLUS, you're a new pal for my PLN! Maybe our paths will cross this school year, too.
Thank you so much for your sincere comment!
- Matthew