Get Ideas & Inspiration to Transform Your School at WGEDD!

March 31, 2016

April 8-9, 2016 | Katy Independent School District, Houston, TX

What Great Educators Do Differently is a relatively new event but it’s already creating waves among educators. The conference brings together passionate, innovative educators who are dedicated to continuous improvement—including Teacher Librarian Shannon McClintock Miller. This is one of Shannon’s favorite conferences and she took the time to share with us why.

The WGEED conference is all about providing passionate educators with strategies to help them transform the schools and classrooms in which they serve. What role do you see Teacher Librarians playing in transforming schools?

SMM: Teacher Librarians are one of the key players in transforming schools especially now with all of the new technology, resources, and new ways of learning. Teacher Librarians are needed more than ever; not just as a person but as the catalyst to build a community and a space to support kids with all kinds of learning opportunities from makerspaces and project based learning to eBooks. Teacher Librarians serve as role models for how to make connections with people and resources.

WGEED is a unique conference. What do you think makes it so special?

SMM: The title alone makes is special! The people who organize WGEDD are amazing. They’ve found a great group of inspiring educators to share their stories. Everyone is so engaged and really there with the intention of collaborating and learning. Everybody feels like they have a part in the learning that takes place. When you get that at a conference, that everyone is there to learn together and support each other, it is something really special.

Another focus of the conference is “libraries of the future.” What is your vision for the future of libraries?

SMM: Libraries need to continue to be the heart of the school and Teacher Librarians need to be leaders. I see school libraries as spaces where students feel welcome, secure and free to explore. Libraries are places of active engagement, learning and fun. What libraries provide and the role they play is changing because the information and resources we have are changing. Libraries are a place where everyone, students and teachers, can discover new things, experiment, put learning into action.

As a Teacher Librarian, take risks and chances. The library is not just within the four walls of the school anymore. The library can be anywhere. You can help students make connections all around the world.

What will attendees learn in your session?

SMM: I’ve got two sessions. In Great Educators Give Students a Voice!, I’ll be talking about how to empower kids to be able to embrace and talk about what is important to them and to be passionate about their own learning. I’ll share lots of stories about the kids I’ve worked with. Educators who attend Great Educators use Digital Tools to Connect, Create and Collaborate are going to go home with so many great digital tools they can use right away in their schools.

Is there a speaker you’re particularly looking forward to hearing?

SMM: I want to listen to everyone! Always love hearing Pernille Ripp. She’ll be talking about helping students fall in love with reading and creating passionate learning environments. I’ve known Joe Mazza for awhile but have never heard him speak so hearing his session, Great Educators Engage Family & the Community, will be a treat.

Learn more about WGEDD at whatgreateducatorsdodifferently.com.