I arrived back in Chile from TESOL International in Tampa two weeks ago, and I’m actually writing this from the Santiago International Airport. I’m still tackling the procrastination monster inside of me.
I arrived in Tampa the day before the conference started; I find that settling in and having a day to relax before big events helps me feel prepared and less anxious.
The first day
On Wednesday afternoon there was a meeting for new TESOL attendees, and it was really helpful. They walked us through the schedule, made sure everyone was able to access the app, gave tips about finding sessions we’d like to attend, and they also allowed for us to get to know others and do some networking.
I really liked the attention to detail. More specifically, the tote bag that we got was made of cotton and more durable than linen bags that I typically get at other conferences. The daily planner had space to take notes and also had reminders to drink water and bring snacks.
The opening talk by TESOL president Shelly Taylor was a very nice way to start the conference. It acknowledged how far we’ve come, but the work that still needs to be done in terms of helping all English learners. She spoke about a spirit of collaboration and coming together, which is a nice message to hear and set a nice tone.
The keynote with Tara Roberts was AMAZING. Her presence was captivating, and hearing her story of scuba diving to find sunken ships from people that were enslaved sheds light on a dark but important part of United States history. She posed questions like “Why didn’t we ever learn about these sunken ships in school?” and “Why am I only seeing enslaved people as a collective group, and not as the millions of individuals with hopes and dreams, just like me?” You can learn more about her experience by clicking here.
Afterwards there was an opening ceremony with food and the opportunity to socialize. I was able to find Volkan Iner, who interviewed me for Creative English back in 2022. It was so nice getting to meet in person after having interacted online.
The sessions
There were so many sessions happening at any given time that it was overwhelming. I took the advice given to new attendees and focused on quality over quantity.
There was a session about the importance of differentiating instruction by Dr. Shoshanna Hernandez which was very interesting. I learned all about differentiating instruction through my teacher preparation program, but I really appreciated how she showed how differentiation was expected to be shown in every step of a lesson plan. If I ever enter teach in a classroom setting again, I’m sure that I’ll be referring to her lesson plan.
Another session I enjoyed was by John Hughes, showcasing the book Pathways by National Geographic Learning. I’m always on the lookout for new books and teaching materials for my students, and I really liked how he showed not only how the book works but also how he incorporates higher order thinking skills and various activities to engage learners.
There were also sessions about socio-emotional learning, getting published, and using Canva to create educational materials that I found valuable. I found that by the end of the day Friday my social battery was pretty much depleted, and despite going to the conference on Saturday I didn’t last to the closing session that afternoon.
My session
My session was on Thursday afternoon, and overall it went pretty well. There were about 60 people in the audience, and they were receptive and participated in the activities.
I was a bit worried about the timing; 45 minutes seems like a long time, but once you actually plan everything you’d like to accomplish during that time it’s not as much time as you think. Despite that, I got through mostly everything and got some great feedback from participants through a feedback from using a QR code as well as a paper version.
I also know what changes to make to prepare for my session at IATEFL next week.
The overall experience
I really appreciated the energy of the entire conference. You could feel a sense of excitement and connection throughout the entire convention center. In addition to the sessions, I also really enjoyed just hanging out in the expo hall and striking up conversations with people there. There was a sentiment of togetherness and collaboration that I really enjoyed.
The cost of the flight, registration, hotel, and food all added up to be a lot of money, but I feel it was worth it. When it comes to things like this I try to remember the value of experiences over material possessions; I can always buy things later on, but conferences like TESOL only happen once a year.
I didn’t take that many photos, but I did get one with a new friend (also named Daniel) in the expo hall.
What’s next?
The conference has rejuvenated me and reminded me of the importance of professional development and making connections with others. It has also helped me remember that I have valuable knowledge and skills to share with the world. I’m looking forward to more learning and connections at IATEFL in Brighton next week.
If you’re also going to IATEFL feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you’re looking forward to there!
