There we were – teachers, readers, writers, authors, bloggers, professors, researchers, friends – amid the glitz and glamour of one of the busiest and most sensory stimulating cities in the world, to connect, learn, discover, and reaffirm our passions for literacy. It was NCTE 12, and it was everything I knew it would be. There was so much going on at NCTE12 I wasn’t sure how to frame my reflections, so I decided to borrow the scaffold of an inspiring author, Margaret Wise Brown.

The important thing about NCTE12 was that I was surrounded by colleagues who helped me learn, grow, question, and discover.
        There were an abundance of authors who shared their passions and process.
        There were teacher researchers who let me peek into their classrooms by
             sharing their thinking.
        It is true that during the conference Twitter helped me hear more and learn more
            than I ever would have without it (I often felt like I was in multiple sessions at once).
        It is also true that I began to understand the importance of uncommon teaching in 
             the age of common core standards.
        I was reminded that topic alone does not determine genre, and that words like
            intrigue, curiosity, and wonder should be heard in schools more than test
            and standard.
        I was also reminded that having a conversation about learning with our students
             helps to bring that learning to a conscious level. 
         I was challenged to listen more and let my students take the lead.
        Also, I now have a growing list of new children’s books and professional books I
               need to read.
        Every day I connected with old friends and made some new ones.
        Every day I imagined new possibilities.
But the important thing about NCTE12 was that I was surrounded by colleagues who helped me learn, grow, question, and discover.

Looking forward to Boston in 2013!