Blogging OCM BOCES SLS Fall 2006 Conference

I spent today at my School Library System’s annual Fall conference. In the short two years that I’ve been attending, I’ve been very impressed. Judi Dzikowski and the fine folks at OCM BOCES do a bang-up job putting this conference together. Above all, the OCM BOCES is always able to secure dynamic and influential keynote speakers and presenters. Last year I was exposed to the likes of data expert Annette Lamb and Boys and Reading expert Michael Sullivan. This year they were able to land Big 6 guru Mike Eisenberg and neighboring GV BOCES SLS leader Chris Harris.

Let’s start with, Mike Eisenberg.   He’s come a long way from his early years when he was a library media specialist in Central New York. He’s now Dean Emeritus of the iSchool at Washington University. And apparently he has connections to Bill Gates, only the richest and most powerful man on the planet.

From Eisenberg’s keynote, I’ll walk away remembering his emphasis on the importance of the teacher-librarian building influence and becoming an essential player in the school. Think, act and make decisions like you are the Chief Information Officer of the school.

I didn’t attend Chris Harris’ afternoon workshop, but I had the opportunity to dialogue with him during our breaks and over lunch. Chris has great big ideas and is plugged in to issues that surround school libraries. He’s radical and even challenged Eisenberg on his blog and in person today.  I’m sure his approach turns some people off, but I’m under the strong opinion that we need more people like him in the profession.  Write his name down, you’ll be hearing a lot from him in the future.

Lastly a bit of news from the rumor mill. My sources have informed me that OCM BOCES could possibly land David Warlick as the keynote speaker for next year’s Fall Conference. This would be a major coup- to land Dave’s talent. If you aren’t familiar with his line of work, then I suggest you check him out. And Mr. Warlick, if you are somehow reading this, please come to Syracuse, NY in the Fall of 2007 and spread the good word to us Central New Yorkers.

Blogging Hanoch McCarty

Who doesn’t love a professional development day? It’s a respite from the daily routine of working with children and an opportunity to learn. Did I just reference learning on a potential blow off day? If only my elementary school teachers could see me now. I’ve turned into the productive citizen and lifelong learner that they had so long ago asked me to be. Too bad it wasn’t on their watch. I missed out on a lot of candy.

Anyways….

The admin from my school district invited a gentleman named Hanoch McCarty to keynote at our professional development day. Boy, did they hit a homerun with this guy. If you’re unaware of Hanoch McCarty, he is the author of many of the extremely popular Chicken Soup for the… books. Did you know that the idea for the Chicken Soup books had gotten rejected 45 times before one publisher took a chance on the idea? Not four or five times, fourty five times. Imagine submitting something for publication 45 times? I give up after 1 attempt if my blog won’t publish after a few mouse clicks.

Hanoch’s two-hour presentation was tremendous. What stuck with me the most was Hanoch’s understanding of empathy and its place in education. He elaborated on safety, identity, connectedness, power and fun & laughter as the building blocks of education. After reading Daniel Pink’s A Whole New Mind, I couldn’t agree more. Empathy and character matter the most, because in the long run, people work for people. The relationships that evolve in a school where empathic behaviors are practiced make learning environments meaningful and emotionally safe.

As he was keynoting, I couldn’t help but think that we need more big picture thinkers like Hanoch out there spreading the good word. Keep at it Hanoch!