But first, a photo. Here are the amazing educators who spent a morning working on professional development that fits their needs. Aren’t they an awesome group?!

There are many reasons I love EdCamps and here is one reason to organize one in your area…the new batch of teachers. Our EdCamp is located at Creighton University and they have a unique program called the Magis Catholic Teacher Corps. You can read more about this program here and here. What better way to pass on your learning but through an unconference. And is there anything more satisfying, as a seasoned teacher, to see a group of young people excited and ready to teach in our Catholic schools? I am so grateful for the many seasoned teachers that came today too to lead the way!

Another big plus, in an EdCamp, are the sponsors. Companies reached out to us and donated some great items. I was overwhelmed at the generosity of these companies. They know how to build good will and get their products into the hands of teachers who will use them and share their product on Social Media. I personally know that this strategy works, I have bought several items myself from our sponsors. 

Click here to see the Sponsor page from this year’s EdCamp. Look at all these freebies!

Our EdCamp has a few unique touches. This Magis teacher won a handmade twine Rosary because he traveled the farthest. He’s from the great state of Rhode Island!
Another unique touch added to #NECathEdCamp are fresh flowers picked from my garden! 

And what’s an EdCamp without great people! I want to personally thank this year’s team. Mike, Jim, Terri, Sara, and Deb We did it! Another EdCamp in the books…ready for next year?!

If you need any help putting together an EdCamp in your area, the EdCamp Foundation offers all you need to get started. Click here for more information and to see when an EdCamp will be near you.

5. Mass with 4,400 Catholic educators who are fully participating in the Mass with lovely music and atmosphere.

Tuesday’s Mass

Wednesday’s Mass

Thursday’s Mass

4. The Expo Hall

Stocked up on some great books and even got a picture with Joe Paprocki from Loyola Press. 

3. The Food and the company at dinner.

2. Presenting 2 Sessions:

Bring the EdCamp (Unconference) Model to your School or Diocese with Marcie and me.

Creating a Personal Learning Network (PLN): Using Social Media to Proclaim Mission and Professionally Grow – Nancy, Ken, Me, Marcie, and Abbie (Leaning in to Support one another).

1.  The TweetUp!

It’s the people, always, and the relationships that make the NCEA convention the best! Hope to see you in St. Louis – April 18-20, 2017.

One bonus take away, how can you resist seeing a cute nun zoom around the convention in a cart?!

Luckily, I don’t have to write an acceptance speech! But if I did, it would go something like this…

I’d like to thank my parents for passing on the Catholic faith to me. My love of the beauty of this faith makes it so easy to share with my students.

I’d like to thank my family for allowing me to work long hours correcting papers, working in my classroom, and driving me to edcamps to learn more about teaching.

I’d like to thank my co-workers, both past and present, who continually inspired me to bring my A game each day, as they are also doing in their classroom. They also don’t mind when I share the many new ideas I find, email after email!

I’d like to thank my principal who gives me the freedom to try new ideas in my classroom and the encouragement to continue sharing my ideas.

I’d like to thank my students for learning right along with me. I love how they keep the questions coming and have fun finding the answers with me.

I’d like to thank the parents of my students who have entrusted me with their most precious gift to help them grow from 8am to 3pm.

I’d like to thank my PLN on Twitter. This award truly stems from Twitter! Only Twitter would allow a 3rd grade teacher, in Omaha, Nebraska to start a world wide Catholic education chat with her Twitter friends, Nick Senger and Nancy Caramanico. Reaching across the world, making connections, and sharing ideas to make my teaching better for my precious charges.

So what’s next? More learning and sharing! This teacher will not be resting on her laurels!