Welcome to the Modern Classrooms Project Podcast. Each week we bring you discussions with educators on how they use blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning to better serve their learners. In this episode, Toni Rose Deanon is joined by Cecelia Gillam, an experienced facilitator and Expert Mentor, to share her experience presenting her instructional strategies and the Modern Classrooms model at conferences throughout the United States.

In this podcast, Toni Rose and Cecelia emphasize the power of learning in on the community of educators to help you prepare and attend conferences. There is a lot of power in community and confidence - and stepping forward at conferences is one way for educators to diversify their skillsets.

Here are three key takeaways from this podcast episode:

• Strategic Networking: Conferences offer valuable networking opportunities. If you are an educator attending or speaking at a conference, you should try to actively engage, collaborate, and be open to diverse perspectives. Attend the after-hours events, even when ice cream in your PJs sounds better. Go to the meet-ups and the mixers - you’ll find other educators who are going through similar experiences as you.

• Flexibility and Prioritization: We get it - attending and presenting at conferences means taking on more work. And educators have plenty of that to keep them busy. But Cecelia shares how she makes it work for her. Cecelia reminds us, "It's easier to go from a 'no' to a 'yes.' And because you're making space and time for all the 'yeses' that are gonna come in the future."

• Continuous Learning: The journey to becoming a robust educator involves continuous learning. Part of that process is also sharing what you’re learning along the way, and guiding other educators to the solutions and strategies that are working for you. Cecelia encourages all educators to not discount their experience, and suggests that putting yourself out there as a conference presenter is another way to continue growing and learning.

Discussion questions for PLC and PD: 

• How can educators integrate the concept of saying "no" initially to prioritize self-care while remaining flexible enough to transition from a "no" to a "yes" strategically?

• In what ways can conferences be leveraged not just for networking but for continuous learning and professional development, especially in adopting student-centered, mastery-based approaches like the Modern Classroom Project?

Our Host

Toni Rose taught MS English for 10 years and will forever identify as a teacher. Toni Rose strives to be the teacher that they never had growing up, so they focus on anti-bias, anti-racist work and wants to create a brave space for everyone around them. As a queer Filipinx, they understand just how important it is to be represented, be valued, and belong. They especially love being a thought partner for and celebrating teachers.

Our Guest: Cecelia Gillam

• Connect with our guest on Twitter @cecelia21082

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