A bit of a trip down memory lane... CORE Education 2012 eFellow Review

Tonight I had a bit of a journey down memory lane... WOW what a powerful reflecting time.  I am re-sharing clips that have been a HUGE part of my journey to where I am today!  

Aroha and gratitude to Helen, Beverley, Paula and Rachel for an incredible 2012!

Auckland adventures...

After two roller coaster flights here I am back in Auckland! The pilot commented on the unusual cloud patterns and the significant cross winds that contributed to our buffeting.

I love this place!  I am very lucky to have a chance to spend a day catching up with the wonderful Helen and Princess!  (Yet another privilege of my time as an e-fellow) The sun is shining, we are hanging out, life is good!  

A tribute to a very special man...

Today on the CORE blog there is a tribute to a very special man, whose vision shaped and continues to shape my journey!  Thank you Vince for a dream that became a reality... and lives on through your scholarship...

ICOT - International Conference on Thinking

Please join me at the International Conference on Thinking in Wellington in January 2013.

This is an opportunity to hear from cutting edge thinkers, researchers and practitioners who are drawn from such fields as education, health sciences, the arts, sciences, sports, government and business.

The conference themes of 'Future Survival', 'Future Society' and 'Personal Futures' impact on everyone, from all disciplines.

Over the five days of the conference you can participate in full day master classes run by invited speakers, listen to the world leading keynote and featured presenters and participate in a stimulating programme of over 250 presentations and workshops.  Combine this with a magical 'tour' programme, artistic performances, two receptions, a conference gala dinner, and you are sure to have an unforgettable experience.  

Looking forward to starting the year on a MAGICAL thinking and learning high...

e-fellowship review

What an amazing learning journey we are on! Last Friday we took time to reflect on the journey and give advice to anyone considering applying for an e-fellowship. I cannot believe what a tight five we are.

The heart beat…

Lunch out at Peppers and a chance to relax, share, soak up the sun and more…

It really is amazing how we are so in tune we are with each other’s journeys… Time in the sun, by a lake, relaxing, reconnecting, and we are at a point of collaboration that is surreal. 

I have always loved the quote “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” by Aristotle and n ever have I felt this to be truer than right now… What an amazing orchestra we make, while playing our own instruments…  The level of collaboration and sharing is really adding to the journey of each individual! 

Skill swap session is an amazing time.  We meander and weave our way through a range of new skills co-constructing, mashing up and inspiring. 

Dinner out at Meshino, then back into it at Hussey Road with a wonderful eluminate session with Tara and Jo learning about their exciting research vision for 2013. 

A wonderful change to our accommodation sees us all together in one HUGE unit – better than school camp.  And so the collaboration and inspiration continues late into the night!

Day two begins with breakfast together and a chance to think through our presentations for Ulearn and ICOT!  The MAGIC really flows as we collaborate and co-construct our sessions. 

Again we celebrated with a wonderful soul session over the lunch hour!  One of the clips was such a wonderful analogy for the e-fellows…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBaHPND2QJg  Gathered together we each play our own tune, but together we harmonise and make MAGICAL music. 

A real treat in the afternoon was a toast master’s session with Michael and Rachel which saw us all participate in a table talk before individually presenting our 5 slide window to our individual Ulearn presentations.  Immediately the synergy, compassion and     came into play.  It really is incredibly emotional to present to your greatest allies and supporters.   The wealth of feedback and feedforward really had to be experienced to be believed.  I just know how much richer I am from this journey….

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the layers and layers of richness you have added to my learning journey and my life….

Core e-fellow MASTER CLASS 3

Despite challenging myself to early nights this week I only managed to get off to bed about 11 last night and I was wide awake at 4.20 when Katie headed off to swimming and despite every relaxation technique I could not get back to sleep, maybe it is just toooo exciting.  So I was up and ready by 6.  My check in time was 7.35 so off we went in the -1 frost..

What a surprise I got to walk into an empty airport – and I mean empty… I finally found someone to help me and learned that my flight had been cancelled and rescheduled for 7.20am departure and it was taxiing out at that very moment…

The staff could not have been more compassionate and helpful and I was rebooked on the next flight out at 10.05. I rapidly flipped my emotions and realised that some good would come of this change… will let you know what it is as and when it happens…

I sent a txt to Michael and he phoned me with such genuine kindness and care for my well being – MAGIC number one as a result of missed flight. 

I got to have a long phone chat with Mum and Katie – MAGIC number 2.

I am enjoying a very nice latte courtesy of Velluto – MAGIC number 3.

I have a relaxed time to blog and read and chat and further anticipate the MAGIC of reconnecting with the wonderful e-fellows and Jo and Michael – MAGIC number 4.

So looking ahead to the two days together I thought I might jot down some of the truly MAGICal aspects of being an e-fellow.

Way back in November last year when I first got the e-mail advising I had been awarded an e-fellowship with Core education I was in shock.  I spent a time in and out of stages of intense excitement, unworthiness, and anticipation.  I was in awe of the new pathway opening before me as I returned to school after a year’s study leave. 

Our first meeting in March was amazing.  We are a very diverse bunch, one early childhood, one librarian, three primary teachers.  We are geographically spread from Whangarei to Mosgiel.  Our daily lives are distinct, MAGIC and unique.  We immediately gelled and conversations, sharing and inspiration flowed.  Guided and nurtured by Josephine and Michael Winter the true MAGIC of the e-fellowship wrapped us in a magical mystical specialness, celebrating our learning journeys.  Staying together can only be described as all of the MAGIC of school camp without any stress.  We chat and geek into the wee small hours and a real bond is developing.

Our second session started at a collaborative point above anything I can explain.  We share a common bond, purpose, enthusiasm, passion… Session two was very cohesive as we worked on our presentations for Ulearn and put together a submission for ICOT – International Conference of Thinking – in Wellington in January 2013. (which has since been accepted)  This is indeed MAGICal as it will maintain the fellowship through to the next year and it is an international conference – no mean feat indeed.

Session three is today and tomorrow and I just can’t wait to get there…

9.05 Still sitting in the airport when Kyle from McCoy Wixon phoned, so able to fully discuss the dimensions and placement of the smartboards for the new school. Pure MAGIC number 5 to get to chat through a couple of “essentials” as I see it… a drop down screen and projection for the learning corridor.  Great to get the chance to chat and set up a meeting to discuss this further next week.

Not so MAGIC – the thought that I will be in the air when Ulearn bookings re-open…. Hmm – hope I still get my choices… I am sure good will come out of this…

MAGIC number 6 – Kevin (AirNZ) giving me a hug to make up for me missing my flight as I finally boarded…

MAGIC number 7 – Sitting in 13A – me, sitting in 13B, Mother of a past student… what a journey chatting and catching up on life…  MAGIC number 8 – hearing the story of Lynn who is starting http://drivingmissdaisy.co.nz/buy/ 

Soooo exciting to hear the MAGIC of someone who can drive and care for those who need it most… a real chance to make some bucket list dreams come true…

MAGIC – getting here – and the learning, the inspiration, the conversation, the motivation the MAGIC is ramping right up….

More later….

The MAGIC of Core e-fellow Master class two…

As with many opportunities, the excitement and learning began well before the main event.  The five of us counted down to our Master Class and re-invigorated and enthused and inspired each other.  Meeting at Christchurch Airport on Thursday morning was magical and our learning discussions f2f ramped up.  We excitedly chatted our way through the first morning sharing our learning journeys and inspiring each other all over again.  The real MAGIC of sharing across the sectors, levels, curriculum areas, and inquiries is in the power of the discussion – how could I use that to empower my learners… We shared our current learning journeys in our classes, our experiences with conferences and educamps and much, much more.  

We toured the South Learning Centre where I was inspired anew by the innovation and openness of shared learning spaces within Christchurch.  The learning space welcomes all and is a true communal space, hosting meetings, browsings, readings, learnings, teachings, and more… 

Back at CORE office we met with Eric Woods from Imaginality and my enthusiasm for augmented reality was again ignited.  I really must follow up on the potential of this with some of my very enthusiastic learners…

A night eluminate session with current and past e-fellows was a great change to gather online.  We were able to hear and feel Dorothy Burt’s passion for the Manaiakalani project.  It was also surreal to link with past e-fellows.

Back at our accommodation the five of us talked, inspired, shared, and chatted into the night.  The connection and power of sharing is tangible. 

Day two started with a fabulous shared breakfast and a wonderful session with Susie Vesper.  I love that no matter how much we think we know, or use, we are only scratching the surface of the wealth of resources and support available.  The key is to see a need or purpose and grab any tool or opportunity to enable more for our learners. 

A real highlight of our Master Classes is the ‘Soul Session’.  DK introduced us to it last time and we were privileged to enjoy another session.  

http://rachelboyd.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/soul-session-ignite-inspire-amuse.html

After lunch we were treated to a great session with Emma and Janet around the e-fellowship follwed by a skype with Jane Nicholls on the power of edtalks.

At 2.46pm the ground howled, the table shook and the earth rumbled and hissed and spat… In a nano second I left the table, leapt a heater and cowered in the corner of the room.  This was a very defining moment.  I realised in that moment that I was petrified!  I was shocked at my reaction… I was shocked to realise that all of those who have remained in Christchurch live with this as a part of daily life…

Today as I fly home I am struggling with the turbulence on the flight.  Definitely too bumpy for drinks on the flight… AGHAGH the pilot has just announced that the current cross wind at Dunedin Airport is above the allowable for landing and if we are not successful we are diverting back to Christchurch… my fear is reignited……………………………………..  We have one chance to drop in before we return… Time to shut down the laptop!

Well, here I am, and yes we made it in.  I was petrified, and my stomach was looping the loop.  But constantly, over and over in my mind was this image…

There is only room for one… so I chose faith – faith in the pilot, faith in the plane, faith in everyone involved!  I have been challenged twice in the last few days by Mother Nature.  I am shocked at my lack of resilience.  I am continually learning so much about myself.  I am working to get the balance right..