When It's Over, It's Over
The Edcamp Planning Committee has an announcement to make!
After 7 wonderful years of learning and growing together, the planning committee has decided that 2020 was our last year of EdcampBJI. The last 7 years have been truly incredible, and we have enjoyed getting to know all of you and your schools. We have benefited so much from hearing about your expertise, your questions, and what you value. This is an incredible place to live, learn, and teach!
As we reflected last night, some of the things we talked about can be summed up nicely by our Open Space Principles.
- Whoever comes is the right people.
- Over the last 7 years, the Edcamp planning committee has stayed fairly consistent, with the same people coming back to serve every year. Our lives have changed dramatically over the last 7 years-- babies born and growing up, career moves and changes, master’s degrees and doctorates earned- we are different people now than we were!
- Attendance at EdcampBJI has stayed very consistent, with a good mix of newbies and veterans- every year was something new! It was incredible to see student teachers come back as teachers, and now as veterans well into their careers. It was incredible for retired educators to come back and tell us what they wish they would have known. It was incredible to engage with different organizations, different educators, and different people from across the region who were all looking for better solutions for our children.
- Over the last 7 years, the Edcamp planning committee has stayed fairly consistent, with the same people coming back to serve every year. Our lives have changed dramatically over the last 7 years-- babies born and growing up, career moves and changes, master’s degrees and doctorates earned- we are different people now than we were!
- Whenever it starts is the right time.
- When Stacy and Lisa started EdcampBJI, the Bemidji area was so ready to have a professional development conference that could work to unite the school districts in our region behind our common purpose of building the very best schools for our kids. Seven years is a long time! TV shows don’t last this long!
- When Stacy and Lisa started EdcampBJI, the Bemidji area was so ready to have a professional development conference that could work to unite the school districts in our region behind our common purpose of building the very best schools for our kids. Seven years is a long time! TV shows don’t last this long!
- Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.
- Over seven years, our evaluations have been overwhelmingly positive. Most people who attend an Edcamp go on to attend multiple years. The businesses and organizations that we partner with are happy to work with us and support the endeavor. It feels good to go out on a high note!
- Over seven years, our evaluations have been overwhelmingly positive. Most people who attend an Edcamp go on to attend multiple years. The businesses and organizations that we partner with are happy to work with us and support the endeavor. It feels good to go out on a high note!
- When it’s over, it’s over.
- This was a hard decision! We have loved being a part of your lives and hearing your stories. We hope that there will be more opportunities to collaborate in the future. We hope that this event has helped form relationships that cross districts, regions, teaching assignments, and subject areas. We hope that now that we have all been a part of an event like this, we know that we have the power to create the Edcamp Vibe wherever we are, by having great conversations and asking great questions right where you are.
- This was a hard decision! We have loved being a part of your lives and hearing your stories. We hope that there will be more opportunities to collaborate in the future. We hope that this event has helped form relationships that cross districts, regions, teaching assignments, and subject areas. We hope that now that we have all been a part of an event like this, we know that we have the power to create the Edcamp Vibe wherever we are, by having great conversations and asking great questions right where you are.
The EdcampBJI website and Facebook page will stay up for now, to use as resources for people who want them. The EdcampBJI email address is also still active, but will not be monitored very often. Thank you for being a part of our journey!
Be kind, be brave, and be safe-
Cheers to 7 years!
About our Logo: Bemidji is known as the Curling Capital of the United States. So when designing the logo we wanted to pay respect to that fact. The red and blue surrounding represent the rings of the curling house, the EdCamp apple represents the rock. Being in the center of the curling house is known as the button. So on February 1, we invite you to hit the button when it comes to your learning!
What is Edcamp?
EdCamp is a FREE "unconference," designed to let teachers take back professional development! Rather than paying expensive presenters, we learn from and teach each other!
Come enjoy a day of discussion and networking with PK-16 educators from surrounding communities. Bring an idea for a session that you would like to lead or come with the anticipation of a full day of learning. A session might explore a technology tool, a discussion about best practices, or a collaborative presentation with multiple facilitators.
Come enjoy a day of discussion and networking with PK-16 educators from surrounding communities. Bring an idea for a session that you would like to lead or come with the anticipation of a full day of learning. A session might explore a technology tool, a discussion about best practices, or a collaborative presentation with multiple facilitators.
