Presenting at Conferences

I wanted to share an accomplishment and an insight that I had this past week, which I feel should be at the heart and soul of leadership...but I'd like your thoughts. Last Thursday, I presented at a regional conference for the first time ever (Griffin RESA Drive-In STEM Conference), and it was an amazing, but somewhat conflicting experience. On one hand, it was exhilarating to share ideas and resources with other teachers and administrators from other districts (it was a hands-on, experiential, "explore & do" session). We jammed as many lesson/unit ideas as we could into one hour, let them actually create/build/test whichever and as many as they wanted to, and provided one link to all of the materials and handouts. The participants were visibly engaged, extremely complimentary, and asked many specific questions about the individual units and our STEAM program as a whole. However (this is not boasting, it's just my personal observations and perspective), some of the other sessions that I attended, which were also suppose to be promoting STEM learning, were BORING! It was a traditional "sit and git" class, show a powerpoint and drone on and on about one activity that's not even rigorous or relevant (honestly, not even linked to performance standards), and little, if any, enthusiasm! So, I'm contemplating this from a PD/PL standpoint as well as Instructional Leader and classroom teacher. What I figured out is that STEM, without passion and enthusiasm, is pretty much a buzzword. And I think that goes for about any idea, program, initiative, etc. Teachers came to the conference to learn and be inspired and grow in the profession...and there was a great potential to maybe create some instructional leaders there, but I saw that opportunity being missed (no doubt some folks were probably turned off to the STEM concept altogether).  I noticed a great need for enthusiastic presenters that are willing and able to actually show others how it's done.  Sitting in some of those sessions, it was easy to empathize with students, and it gave me a better understanding of problems like attendance, tardiness, motivation, poor academic performance.  I also thought about how this applies to principals and APs as evaluators.  I'm seeing it as inform vs. inspire, when it should be inform AND inspire! I believe one of the LKES Standards is "contributes to the profession," so if you haven't been to a professional conference lately, maybe consider presenting at one soon, and when you attend the sessions before or after yours, try viewing it through new/different lenses.  It's a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Good luck!