This is a test

This is a test. This is only a test. In the event of a real emergency…

Just testing a new Linux blog editor.

Hmmm! I’d thought that this was not successful.  But lo and behold, it’s up and somebody’s commented on it.

To have something more meaningful here, I just got the announcement about this year’s NECC keynote speakers. Malcolm Gladwell will be opening the conference with “..a customized perspective on the way intentional practice today influences expert-development of the future.”

I am devastated to learn that I will miss Erin Gruwell’s closing keynote address.  I had not seen the movie about her class and had almost conciously avoided renting it.  I’m not sure why, except that I’ve seen so many teacher movies and figured that they had stopped being entertaining or inspiring to me.  But, a couple of weeks ago, while I was desperately looking for some flicks to drop into my Netflix queue, and nothing inspiring was showing up in my browsings, Freedom Writers some how ended out slipping into a position far down in my list.

Well Brenda and I watched it the other night, only after that white jacketed DVD had sat on the table for over a week — and I was surprised.  I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and suspect that Erin will be an amazing speaker.  She empowered her students through their own stories.

The mid-conference keynote will be an “..Oxford-style debate with panelists from many different backgrounds weighing in on a controversial topic facing educators and world citizens.” Topic and panelests to be announced in mid-may.

I’ll be following the bloggings via travel engagements that were confirmed long before I knew the dates for NECC 2009.  I do plan to be there for the BloggerCon and workshops.

Author: David Warlick

David Warlick has been an educator for the past 40+ years. He continues to do some writing, but is mostly seeking his next intersect between play, passion and purpose, dabbling in photography, drone videography and music production.