For Me, It's Hard to Top. This @NCTE @WritingProject Conference Has Been About Reunions and Connections with Literacy Families

Even with the ridiculousness of little to no WiFi in the conference (holy insane for anyone needing digital tools to present), we found a way to do good work. Phew. It took hours to get online, and then I was immediately booted off. I felt like I was back in the 2000s when hotels were first starting to figure out Internet services. The most horrible thing is it made email impossible, too. In fact, I replied to an extremely important email only to find out that -because of the horrible internet service - it didn't go through. I didn't learn this until I got to the house I'm renting.

The result? It was a timely, immediately ask and, well, I lost the opportunity - one that will never come my way again. They needed for an immediate response but had to make a quick decision. "Sorry, Bryan. We love you, but we had to go with someone else because we needed an immediate commitment.

Whomp Whomp Whomp. NCTE '23, it is. 

I also think I ripped Harvey, hernia #3, too, as a result of running from one end of the complex to the other to get to my next presentations. I was carrying a ton of books to give out for free. It's all my fault. I have this weird balancing thing on escalators lately and escalators it is in Columbus.

With these complaints over, I have to say that the truest joy came from a miraculous pairing. In the spring of 2007, I met with LWP director, Jean Wolph, to share that I received a massive award to do my Ph.D at Syracuse University. I accepted, but didn't tell anyone: my students, my friends, not even my family. I went to talk with Jean to have her process what this might mean for me - always with a vision to one day have my own National Writing Project site. The PD model and support was THE network that kept me in the profession, because they actually treated teachers AS professionals. I'm so thankful to her, my time in the teacher institute, and the leadership she always modeled. The photographer said make a funny face and I did...Jean must of missed that message. 

Then, later, I presented with Liz Lewis and Tanya Baker who I was able to make the connection we all are connected to Kelly Chandler Olcott. Kelly advised both Liz and me in our doctoral studies, while Tanya opened up her classroom for Kelly's dissertation research back in the day. Now, Liz, Kelly, and I write about our work with youth from the NWP's influence. Yesterday we had a session on our varying youth programs. 

These are the moments that are saving me from the insanity of having no internet to do the work we do. Two more days of commitments, then a 11 hour drive home...which is extra special this year because Chitunga returns for Thanksgiving - I'm not a fan of him growing up and moving across country (which I did to my family once upon a time...so it's revenge). I can't wait to have my intellectual buddy on Mt. Pleasant for a week.

Okay, time to get back to the conference, but first, a post. National Writing Project all the way...the labor of love is what matters most.