With so many wonderful session choices yesterday at EdCampOKC, I struggled a bit to figure out which ones I wanted to attend in the morning. Finally, one caught my eye: Video in the Classroom: Filming, Editing, and Presenting facilitated by Brandon Wilmarth, the Technology Integration Specialist for Moore Public Schools. I teach a Mixed Media Journalism class at my middle school, where we are creating videos, practicing public speaking, and starting a monthly newspaper. I knew I’d gain some very useful tips and insights into the video production process.
I was right. But this session ended up being even better than that.
Naturally, those of us in the session all took a few seconds to introduce ourselves. One lady caught my attention because she is a newspaper adviser. My ears always perk up when I meet other people in student journalism. I need all the insight, advice, and perspective I can gather.
She was sitting on the other side of the room, so I couldn’t talk to her. I pulled out my phone and checked my Twitter to see if I could find her there. Sure enough, she was on Twitter, and I was already following her.
So I tweeted her:
@snidesky I am starting a school newspaper this year. Would love to pick your brain! #EdCampOKC
— Mrs. Waters (@watersenglish) March 7, 2015
It’s really not creepy to tweet someone you’ve never met, who is sitting in the same room with you. Right?! She tweeted me back a couple of hours later:
@watersenglish Love to help! A lot of my brain pickings are here on my blog: https://t.co/18GlFPZrrn #EdCampOKC #jerdchat DM me for more. — Lisa Snider (@snidesky) March 7, 2015
Needless to day, I am over the moon! Later, she invited me to an upcoming conference for journalism advisers:
@watersenglish What school are you starting the paper at? Consider coming to @OSM_OIPA Media Monday, April 6.
— Lisa Snider (@snidesky) March 8, 2015
It’s April 6, and I’d already planned to attend the OCTE Spring Conference on April 1. I have a substitute and the day off already. Here’s hoping my principal will be able to let me go to the OSM conference, as well. If not, I may have to pick one…
Love the connection you made! Hope things work out for you to attend both conferences.
Of course it’s not creepy! I’m glad you made the connection, how exciting for you!
Isn’t it great to connect with others whom you can learn from. I hope your learning continues and that your students benefit from your outreach.