What past participants have said about their Edufest experience: Edufest 2008 – From Vicki Goodwin
Please excuse the length of this log. I simply did not wish to forget any of the key information I learned from this amazing conference.
I am certain this log will also serve to explain the importance of EduFest to district administrators hard pressed for funds to sponsor teachers in future.
The last EduFest I attended was in July of 2000. It was interesting, but not nearly as informative or well-developed as this Edufest. We did not waste a minute of time or effort this year, and learning exploded exponentially for every colleague who shared the experience.
There are so many activities and projects gleaned from these twenty sessions and keynotes I can use to enrich all our curricula and customize further for my gifted students at Nampa High. I had no idea where to find all the resources I needed, and now I know!
The forms Del uses for keeping parents and administrators fully informed are priceless, and I plan to improve my methods of tracking and documenting student self-directed choices and their resulting literary progress.
The dialectical thinking Felicia espouses I have used consistently in graduate research papers, and defended in classes since I first learned of it in an undergraduate Educational Psychology course at Idaho State University in 1996. I have only used dialectical thinking in limited ways for secondary students, but now I feel licensed to immerse students in more complex ways of constructing meaning from text..Looking forward to this school year!
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Deb Storey -
Edufest Reflection: This has been a wonderful learning experience. It was mentally challenging, and increased my awareness and understanding of the gifted students in my class. I am grateful that Edufest is held at BSU, so that hopefully I will be able to continue coming. While I learned a lot – there were many seminars I would have loved to go to. I was amazed at the connections I made between sessions and presenters that reinforced my learning. As I mentioned earlier, I love to learn and Edufest is a great opportunity for that. I really found in each session – not only ways to meet the needs of my gifted kids, but all of the kids in my class. It reminded me that teaching is about reaching out to each of the students in my class – where they come in at, and moving them to the next level. I know that the focus, due to AYP is often the struggling students, but now I can honestly challenge my gifted students. Thank you for the resources!
------------------------------------------- I really appreciate Edufest! The opportunity for new learning, reinforced
learning and opportunities to hear and get to know the speakers. It has provided a time for networking with others and when combined with the experience of a week long conference with fun creative educators, it can't be beat! Thanks to those who worked so hard and volunteered their talents to make this one of the best conferences that I have attended. -------------------------------------------
The week was filled with renewing ideas! It provided a fresh look at the
importance of developing creative behaviors in young people. The importance of this issue was addressed in practical ways throughout the week that will allow me to make my classroom environment much more conducive for student growth. -------------------------------------------
There are so many good things to say about Edufest; however, one that stands out
in my mind (and is consistent every year) is the generosity of the organizers,
presenters, and keynotes who make themselves available to all of us throughout
the week. It must be exhausting; yet they don't let on. They are always friendly, sincere, and very helpful.
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The greatest thing happened this year at my yearlong evaluation with one of my
principals. She stated “I am impressed with the positive changes that I have
seen in you in the last several years. Keep it up.” I know it is not a
coincidence that this happened in me since attending Edufest. The speakers,
sessions, participants all contributed to changes in me in little subtle
ways that we don’t realize, but other people see including principals, other teachers, and students. Thank you…"
-- Meridian, ID -------------------------------------------
"...Edufest will carry me a long way this school year...I will definitely begin the
school year with a more positive attitude due to the encouragement, positive
examples, and ideas to implement that I received....You touched my life, and
through me, the lives of many others." -- Missoula, MT
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"This conference was the most interesting and best I have attended in my 15 years
of teaching. It helped me make great strides in personal and professional growth....
I am a better teacher and person for having attended Edufest." -- Olympia, WA
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"I have been able to travel to many G/T conferences throughout the west...to most
NAGC conferences...and the World Conference. I want to say that Edufest was one
of the best I have attended as far as coming away with actual techniques that I will be able to implement this fall." -- Elko, NV
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"I still look back at Edufest in awe. It was an intense week and my head was completely
full by the time I left on Friday, but I can't wait to go again. I have never attended a
better workshop or conference. The presenters were top notch, and I came home
with a greater understanding for the students I would begin working with this year.
I felt more prepared for them and excited to share with them the things I had learned.
So far my expectations have been fulfilled." -- Paul, ID
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"My constant and recurring reaction to Edufest was one of confirmation and challenge.
Again, and again as I listened, meditated, and searched, I was able to say "Yes! I am
doing that!" or "Yes! That makes sense." Many other times, I asked myself why I hadn't
seen something in that way, or why, knowing that, had I not implemented it. I was
challenged to see things in new ways. Others had made connections that were new and
exciting to me. This reaction must surely be the intention of Edufest."
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"...hang on, kids. Wait until your old teach returns this fall. Get those minds and little
hands ready. I want to say through my own hyperbole, Edufest has shown me a new s
ide to education that is exciting, creative, inventive, mind-expanding, connection-making,
and gives a person the true joy of learning."--Secondary Science Teacher, Meridian, ID
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