There is a video on YouTube called “Obvious to You, Amazing to Others” by Derek Sivers. In this video, the message is straightforward. The things you find easy, mundane, and simple are extraordinary to the teacher down the hall. Our self-perception of how we approach our classroom practices offers more to share with the world. Attending professional conferences is a valuable experience because teachers can learn, network, and experience new ideas, but that is only a part of the experience. As we are in the entire conference season, consider these five reasons why it is essential for you as a teacher to present at an education conference.
1. Expanding Professional Knowledge:
Teachers who present at conferences dive deeper into their subject areas to ensure they deliver valuable and insightful content, thus expanding their mastery and understanding. Benjamin Franklin encapsulates this idea perfectly by stating, "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." This process not only reinforces their existing knowledge but also compels them to stay updated on the latest educational trends and research. In most cases, conferences call for presentation proposals with a significant amount of time before the event. Proposing topics of interest or curiosity can motivate teachers to experiment and dive into the issues before the presentation date.
2. Boosting Confidence:
According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, 75% of people rank fear of public speaking as their number one fear. Presenting at a conference allows teachers to step outside their classroom comfort zones and engage with a broader audience, which can significantly enhance their self-assurance and poise. "Speaking in front of a crowd for minutes can teach you what you cannot learn from speaking to yourself in years," notes Amit Kalantri in Wealth of Words. This exposure builds confidence as teachers see their ideas validated and respected by peers.
3. Motivation and Renewed Passion:
Engaging with enthusiastic peers and absorbing cutting-edge educational ideas can rekindle a teacher’s passion for their profession. As often attributed to William Butler Yeats, "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." Presenting at a conference can revitalize their teaching approach and inspire them to incorporate new techniques and content into their classrooms. The most influential way to make learning stick is to be active in the process and design of learning. By becoming a presenter at a conference, there is a greater responsibility and ownership to the teaching that is happening, building more engagement and connections.
4. Reflective Practice:
The preparation involved in creating a conference presentation requires teachers to reflect critically on their pedagogical practices, assess their effectiveness, and consider new ideas. Once the presentation has been completed, reflecting on stakeholders' opinions, questions, and reactions can help develop new directions and ideas for learning design and practice. John Dewey’s observation that "We do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience" underscores the value of this reflective practice as a critical component of professional growth, helping to fine-tune teaching strategies.
5. Developing Leadership Abilities:
By taking the initiative to present at a conference, teachers demonstrate leadership qualities that extend beyond the classroom, showcasing their ability to influence and contribute to the broader educational discourse. John F. Kennedy’s assertion that "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other" highlights how this experience can position teachers for further leadership roles within their schools or larger educational communities.
It’s Time to Risk It
There is no better time than now. Finding a local or nearby conference and proposing a session on something that you find interesting or helpful can open the door to new ideas and connections that were not considered previously. Regret only comes to those who didn’t try, so dive in and see what doors could flow open by sharing the incredible things that you do!
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