ECET2KY: powerful professional learning

By: Jordan Sharpe
Carter G. Woodson Academy

In my short teaching career thus far, I have already developed an “eye-roll” when it comes to typical professional development. When I was invited to attend an ECET2 conference by a colleague, I was sure that this conference would be no different. I was certain there would be some hot shot theorist who was paid big bucks to come and tell me how to do my job better without ever having been in a classroom. However, ECET2 changed my mind about how powerful professional learning can be. There were definitely hot shots there, but they were hot shot teachers who knew what they were talking about and knew what I was doing in my classroom. There was a passion present in each session that is often lacking in most PD opportunities. I networked with other dedicated educators. I added successful activities and strategies to my repertoire. But most importantly, I left feeling empowered about my own abilities to make a change in the lives of my students, my school, and my district.