A true introvert, the real depth and value of #NCTE19 came for me when I left and had time to process alone. Here’s what I came away with:

1. An entire page in my notebook - “teaching ideas from NCTE” that I can implement NOW. That’s a gift.

2. Validation and renewed purpose for things I already do: independent reading, conferencing, emphasis on creative writing, book clubs, centering marginalized voices and ensuring my curriculum is inclusive & diverse. FOCUS ON MY KIDS. My right now ones. Not last year’s- these.

3. A challenge to now go beyond. This mostly came from the #DisruptTexts session. I’m already on board with and doing the other stuff most of my sessions discussed. Disrupt Texts is a call to go further. Do more of the identity work, help your kids disrupt their own systems.

That session was energizing and daunting. You can’t do this stuff in a day. You can’t do it in one school year. Too many of us have been able to get away with not doing it for so long and -I think this is important-can retreat from it at any time. The call is not to.

For many, it’s not optional and it’s not a choice. For those of us for whom it is, it matters especially we make the choice to engage with it and push. Teaching should not feel safe. If we aren’t pushing ourselves we aren’t doing it right.

The exhibit hall: wow. This was my first NCTE and if I go in the future, I’m not sure I’ll even bother with the exhibit hall. Teachers, I get it, free books. Yay. But come on. The pushing, the hoarding mentality, the demanding way some of you spoke to publishing reps. Yikes.

For that matter: in a crowded conference that can be overwhelming, I think it matters to think about how you take up space. Physically and emotionally. We all know some sessions were packed in small rooms. It’s ok sometimes to give up a seat, you know? Or sit in the back.

Outside of the room in which a popular session was to be held yesterday, people began lining up for the next session (fine) but talking loudly while the last session was still happening. Finally @SonjaCherryPaul shut the door. Someone said “well they should be done.”

“But they aren’t and we should give them the opportunity to finish” was Dr. Cherry-Paul’s response. Like... yes? That’s such a simple, obvious concept. Don’t talk loudly in the hallway outside of a session people worked hard to create & present. Even if it’s 2 minutes from done.

This isn’t an issue for NCTE to address or fix but we the attendees. Teachers. C’mon. We can do better than this. Think about how you occupy space, what you ask and demand of people, how you move through and affect energy around you.

A lot of people not affiliated with NCTE worked hard at this conference. Security, those who work at the convention center and have assistance and directions, baristas and concessions staff, custodians. Did you speak to them? Thank them? Acknowledge them?

Okay back to good stuff. The keynote with Tommy Orange was such a good listen. I hope you made it to that. He was engaging, truthful, unsparing with his criticisms and calls for action. He spoke thoughtfully about representation and why he will always write Native characters.

To all the presenters I saw this weekend, thank you for the work you did to attend and present to us and thank you for the work you do with your kids at home that allows you to come and show us what works for you and them.

Above all, thank you for the constant reminders that the work begins back in our schools Monday. The work wasn’t the learning. The work is the doing and doing again and in the constant aim of doing better by our kids. You held me accountable so I’ll hold myself accountable.

Oh and two books I immediately purchased after the conference: