A Wicked Good Conference
Best Game Evah! by Nili
Holding back tears was not an option. In a keynote that kicked off with dancing and ended with cheers, Beth Houf single handedly made everyone in the room feel a part of her crew. Although she had visited Boston several times, I tried to explain the New England energy a few days before her MassCUE/MASCD debut. From our tradition of being sports fanatics to the pride we take in our little area of the world, I encouraged her to take full advantage of our spirit. We were ready with open arms to receive hers.
In full #LeadLAP style, Beth hooked us in, maintained our attention, and captivated us with her stories, humor, and drawl. Rooting for the underdog, being transparent, and leading staff to build a culture where everyone is running into school were echoing themes. Knowing this amazing lady for years, I was overcome by emotion and chose to embrace it. Wiping my eyes as she finished what we all knew was just the beginning, Jay Billy and I promptly got up from our chairs and clapped for our dear friend. As a room of two hundred began what seemed like the wave, the PIRATE who sailed miles to steal nothing but our hearts and minds received a standing ovation.
My #Maleads18 experience was unique in that it never once felt like a typical conference, and nor should it have. After all, PIRATE leaders bring the unconventional and from the keynote to the very last session, unconventional is what we got. This was a conference built around a book as well as a rapidly growing community that became even bigger on March 9th. Each PIRATE letter oozed with sessions representing it. I was fortunate enough to share stories of both Passion and Transformation and through both presentations, I was reminded of the power in finding our people. Immersing myself in the moment with my co-presenters as well as the folks who attended, it hit me that we must surround ourselves with those who value us in order to thrive. As Jay Billy said to every educator willing to take the PIRATE plunge, “You are the people who I want to be in the room with.”
It was in my session with Jay that three words became crystal clear. Connection, courage, and crew. We connected with our audience immediately. Shaking hands before we began was a must (Beth inspired me to do this a couple of years ago) even if people were caught off guard. That actually made it more fun. We used courage in sharing our stories and inspiring attendees to share their own. We preached about bringing uncommon experiences to staff and students, using “less blah and more bam,” and challenged every single person in the room to find their “blah” and transform it. We spoke about the importance of having a crew, at the same time inviting every educator in the room to be a part of ours. The energy at the end was one I know will keep us together and supporting each other through our own PIRATE journeys.
Whether it was Woot Woot Wagons from the one and only Fulton Middle School, Genius Day that Jordan Hoffman shared during Natick’s amazing afternoon keynote, or transforming how we share our school story from Beth Houf and Chris Dodge, I walked away with new ideas as one can only hope for. That’s what makes a conference good. Yet at #Maleads18 it wasn’t just about the what. It was about the why. This is what made it great and certainly wicked good. We came together to be a part of something bigger than all of us, and from my experience I can say whole heartedly we did just that. I walked away with a feeling, in fact an overwhelming one. I was happy. I was free. I had left it all out on the field and I knew as I walked out with Beth and Jay, I would never sail alone. We might be able to brag about a couple of World Series, but on March 9th, Missouri and Massachusetts (and New Jersey!) came together and hit the ball out of the park.
Just when I thought my experience couldn’t possibly get any better, it did. Celebrating victory with two people I consider family hit home a concept I’ve known all along. The best leaders are human beings first. Beth and Jay did not just come to fuel a conference, jump into their element, and make their introductions at #Maleads18 unforgettable. They showed up all weekend as my friends, and especially when my children joined the fun, as family. Whether it was walking around Boston, dance parties in the living room (or in public!), or coffee with my parents, Beth and Jay were all heart. These are the people I surround myself with not just because I thrive as an educator, but because I thrive as a person.
I Needed This by Jay
My journey to #MALeads18 started with an invitation by Nili Bartley to present with her way back in the fall. She explained that Beth Houf was doing the keynote and it was going be be a Pirate Conference using the Lead Like A Pirate book, which I know a little about. Of course I said yes, because I always want to talk about being a PIRATE but more importantly, I wanted to hang out with Nili and Beth. I’ve had the opportunity to join them both individually in other presentations but it’s been since ISTE 2015 that we’ve had the chance to all be together. One thing I realized, way back in 2015 and before, when I met Beth in 2014, is that there is an energy that is palpable when you get in the room with these two amazing educators. The room lights up with their enthusiasm and passion. These are my people. This is who I want to be in the room with…all of the time.
I picked up Beth at the hotel and we arrived at College of The Holy Cross a little early on Friday. It was cold and snowy but you could tell from the moment that we walked in the door that things were going to heat up quickly. The entrance and sign-in area was buzzing with people excited to be part of the PIRATE journey. Being a connected educator, and knowing Nili, I was looking forward to finally meeting so many members of my PLN from the New England area. I recognized a few right away (Lena, Jordan, and Tracy) and introduced myself to many others as Beth got organized for her keynote. The power of having a PIRATE tribe seemed to multiply the energy in the room with each new person I met. I knew I was in my element.
As Nili said, Beth rocked the keynote with her storytelling and humor, making sure to share her LeadLAP message. We laughed, we danced, we cried, and watched in awe as she raised and lowered the pulse of the audience telling the story of the underdog and her mission to help those like her to become great. After the keynote, I went to Beth’s session on Social Media and using it in our schools and then I hustled up to watch Nili and her colleagues share their stories of passion and leadership within their schools and how they built a project into a mission. I could feel the energy in the room. I could feel the love for the children and the passion for their mission. Right then and there, even before Nili and I got the chance to present, I knew I was home. This was where I belong.
Next up, Nili and I got the chance to speak about “Taking The Pirate Plunge.” Our hope was to share our PIRATE Stories with attendees and discuss how you can lead the change in culture from anywhere, not just the top. Nili did a great job of sharing her story and how she declared her PIRATE status to all who would listen and is now “rolling the snowball” in her position, getting others to take chances, try new things, and board the ship. It was great to hear one of our attendees stand up and proclaim, “I’ve found my tribe!”
After lunch, I also attended Chris Dodge’s session on using social media to share the story of your school. Good Stuff! Chris is a true Pirate Leader who I’ve been connected to for a couple of years. It was amazing to watch him explain his purpose and reasons. I’m sure that Chris is an awesome principal and even better person. You could see his love for his school family and it oozed out of him as he talked about his journey and his transparency in sharing the story. As someone who loves using social media to tell the story of you our schools, all I can say is AMEN!
It was a great conference and unique, because it was focused on the singular purpose of Leading Like A Pirate. Every session presented was related to becoming a PIRATE or creating passionate and enthusiastic risk-takers whose only purpose is to create schools where people are running into, instead of out. What an amazing idea. I’m so honored and happy that I had the chance to be part of this. Most of all, I needed this. Being a PIRATE educator can be lonely and hard sometimes. Getting the chance to spend the weekend with “My Tribe” was just what I needed. Getting to be re-energized by so many amazing people who are in different places in their PIRATE journey, but all ready to change the lives of so many children is energizing to me and where I want to be. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY! Thank you #MALeads18 and MassCUE/MASCD for inspiring me and everyone there. It was a Wicked Good Conference!
My favorite part of the trip was the time I got to spend with my friends, Beth and Nili. It was so nice to really connect on a different level. Usually, it’s a quick text or DM where we share something that happened, ask for advice, or just vent. We spent the night after the conference eating, walking and enjoying Boston. The next morning, we saw more of Boston (and there may have been some dancing on the street with a group of street performers) but then came the real fun.
Nili introduced us to her parents, who are so amazing and supportive… and hilarious. And, although I have five children of my own, the time I spent getting to play with and know Nili’s children, reminded me how much our children will lead us. They are so creative, curious, and… active. The way kids should be. Within the first minute of meeting them, they had me in their “apartment” behind the couch reading stories and playing with their toys. Their energy and enthusiasm became mine. I get to do this often in school, but now that my own kids are a little older, they don’t really want piggy back rides any more. Thank you Nili for sharing your family and your home with Beth and myself. I Needed This!
It’s all About the People by Beth
I had been looking forward to this conference since last summer. It was like every holiday and birthday wrapped into one. To have a conference built completely around your book, your manifesto, your passion…words just truly can’t even explain the gratitude. #MassCUE and #MASCD provided a venue for an amazing group of educators to come together. And you see, that’s really what it is all about…the people. I could feel the energy well before I even landed in Boston. Twitter was buzzing with excitement.
I was a little nervous because this was technically my first keynote. As soon as I walked in the room, a calm settled over me. These were my people, this was definitely my tribe. So many Twitter profile pictures finally came to life for me as we greeted each other like long lost friends. Each session related back to the PIRATE acronym in some way. I spent the day learning from the best of the best as they also shared their passions. But truly, the conversations and personal connections are what made this this conference one I will never forget. It’s those moments we created that will last a lifetime.
As Nili and Jay shared, our weekend continued and I just kept wishing for time to slow down. These two are so much more than friends to me. They have supported me through my darkest hours and have cheered the loudest at my successes. They are there for me always. They make me better. Every.Single.Day. They not only love me in spite of my crazy, they embrace it and nurture it. Everyone needs a Nili and Jay in their life for sure! My time spent with them and with Nili’s family truly was PIRATE time as well. PIRATE isn’t just for the school house. It’s a lifestyle. What I was reminded of so much as I got to be Aunty Beth was that kids are natural PIRATEs. Somehow, someway we discourage this as they get older. Nili’s parents are also complete PIRATEs. Although our time together was short, their passion and enthusiasm were completely contagious.
I came back to Missouri with a renewed energy. Sometimes we get stuck in our own ruts of regularity. Being around Nili and Jay and the PIRATEs of Massachussetts helped to remind me that comfort zones are for pushing, enthusiasm is never wasted and relationships and rapport are at the heart of all we do.
In true #LeadLAP style, I want to end this blog post with a challenge for you. Take time in the coming weeks to nurture relationships that have been neglected. Take time to let your inner child resurface. Bring more fun into your daily to do list. It is amazing how much better you Lead Like a PIRATE when you take some time daily to Play Like a PIRATE.
Quik was certainly a take away from Chris Dodge. A tool to help share your school story quickly, Jay Billy took advantage and created a glimpse of a wicked good conference that turned into a weekend to remember. Thank you Chris, and thank you Jay for putting this together.