NCTE Conference

So, this is my first experience at a large scale professional conference. I've been to our local Independent School conference loads but that's tiny compared to this. I really had no idea what to expect.

Tip #1 dress comfortably and no one cares if you wear jeans

It's overwhelming. It's like being at Dragon Con but calmer. There's tons going on and somehow I have to select 5 sessions maximum a day out of 250 offerings...crazy.

Tip #2 if you are feeling stressed out, find someone to help. Helping others is an excellent anxiety drain.

The exhibitor hall alone is worth the price of admission. The place is absolutely lousey with publishers, authors, and literary agents. It's like being in a giant whirlpool of geeky-cool. I actually trod on Sharon Draper's foot....she was very nice about it.  And I got to shake the hand of Jason Reynolds....Squee!

Tip #3 always keep a hand free for shaking

The Sessions themselves were generally pretty top-tier. I went to one on differentiation of Shakespeare instruction. Brilliant!! I will do it all! I went to one that was run completely by higher education professionals explaining to us high school schmoes what they are seeing from our students when they get to college. Actually they were very nice and frank about admitting where the colleges could be doing better too. From this though I have an idea for block scheduling a couple days with science for close reading practice on textbooks.

Tip #4 don't get so excited you don't eat

But maybe better than all that. I was surrounded by 3000 people who get as geeky about books as I do. I've never -repeat never- had that before. I jumped in and out of conversations about the merits of adaptations of shakespeare into YA lit, socially active material, dealing with parent concerns on subject matter. I actually got to butt heads with someone on the merits of handing of Tolkien vs. Rowling as an entry point to fantasy literature. I always felt like such a freak when it came to books as a passion. I guess if I am, I'm not the only one.

Tip #5 remember to smile