Remember Star Trek TNG, and the Borg?  I was sort of thinking that Saturday as I was sitting absorbing the smartness emanating from the stage, reading the Twitter feed, and recognizing people in the audience. Who else but people passionate about education would joyfully and eagerly spend a Saturday in each other’s company?

It was a great day… and here is the run down:

Session 1: Fire

Alan November.  A Futurist from California.  He travels the world talking about education, and in particular the critical thinking piece.  In short, he spoke of how solipsism affects the veracity of a simple Google search.  How the “Hostage Crisis in Iran” comes up on Western searches much, much differently than a similar search in the East.  In fact, in Iran, the same search would be named something quite different:

Lisa Domeier de Suarez.  Maker Space.  Making. Hands-on.  Whatever you want to call it, the way this speaker looks at it makes you realize not only is the maker movement so much more than glitter glue and pipecleaners, but that we make a huge mistake dismissing it as anything less than vitally necessary. From wearable technology to hand-sewn circuitry, learners are empowered to realize they complete the circuit.

Todd Ablett. Robotics teacher, master teacher of educational technology. He expressed, with passion, the need to integrate technology into teaching, not just to see it as an add on.  He shared how technology had always shaped his life, going back to his grandfather, a self-taught electrical engineer– a pioneer in the field– who had the responsibility of providing power for an entire community, and making repairs on US naval submarines that limped into port. As fascinating as Todd’s own and familial history was, his incredibly powerful message was not “Embrace Technology”.  It was “Be Human. Care about each other”. It was the human experience that allowed him to be: had his grandfather not understood relationship, Todd’s dad would have died of bacterial meningitis at the age of 10.

Hannah Boon. One of the student speakers, all of whom wowed the crowd, Hannah’s message was disguised by the technology of a slickly-curated dashboard of learning objects, but in reality her message was simpler and truer: Your teachers are all around you if you are willing to learn… the difference is that learning is not, necessarily, education.

Tracy Crarmer. The first 4 minute “What is your Why?”, Tracy shared, with great humour and energy, her learnings from “the littles” she teaches in Kindergarten. Her message was about the importance of relationship– that connecting with her charges on a real and engaged level was what was important.  The rest is gravy.

Session 2: Water

Jody MacDonald. In this second short spot, Jody packed in a life time of experience. Her “why” is that adversity is what drives her.  From 10 years living aboard a sail boat (and seasick daily) to typhoid and a face-swelling staph infection, adventuring, and recording it all on film, she is relentless in her pursuit of challenge.

Brad Baker. By telling the audience about his fear, and resultant shame, around hiding his identity as a first nations person, he made connections from his own journey back to embracing his cultural identity to the need to connect his learners to the land, to their history.

Lee Watanbe Crockett. “It’s not the flute”.  Lee created a beautiful metaphor between learning to play a traditional Japanese wind instrument, the Shakuhachi, to learning anything… in particular, breathe; any attempt is perfect, regardless of the result; look to yourself to change what isn’t working– it is not the flute’s fault.

Jennifer Ellis-White. The next student representing our learners, Jennifer’s message was one of connection– that learning is not just the lessons, but the experiences.

Bridgitte Alomes. One of several non-educators at an education-focused event, Bridgitte’s “why” is about space– space to play, learn and just Be. Her connection was in creating space that fosters relationship

Session 3: Air

Joey Commisso. Very funny and engaging fellow with an important message about relationship to self.  It took him until he was a young adult to realize he had to ask for help when he was happy, not sad– the reality of bi-polar disorder.  Instead of trying to fit himself into what he thought he should be doing (economics), he realized he needed to embrace the qualities that make him special and celebrate those.

Dr. Sukhi Muhkr. From a certain fate of dying young via poor choices, to a successful life as a doctor, husband, father who teaches others that mind, body and spirit all require attention and care, all in equal measure.

Angus Reid. No, not the pollster, a retired football player with a simple message. Football saves lives.  Now, substitute “football” for anything that allows children to make connections to each other, caring adults, rewarding activity, teamwork….. purpose.

Brooke Moore. This passionate speaker shared a glimpse at a new land-based program that provides opportunity for learners to connect to the land they live on through growing food and providing stewardship, but her most powerful message was about creating meaningful relationships, despite our shared history or past conflicts.

Dr. Phil Nuytten. Probably the most shockingly technological presentation of the day– Dr Nuytten invented both a deep (deep) sea robotic submarine, and a similarly designed personal submarine “suit”, designed for a single diver to travel to the floor of the ocean and ascend without need to decompress.  The fascinating presentation connected to the theme of Rethinking Education by suggesting that an alternate to colonizing space might be to colonize the mid-zone of the sea by anchoring colonies to the ocean floor and letting them float.

Session 4: Earth

Frank Wolf. Another adventurer who craved adversity, this time exploring thousands of kilometers of waterways in canoe or kayak, eventually discovering his video journals needed to be turned into short films and documentaries, and that those needed to win awards and be shared the world over. One of the things we don’t realize is how far the impact of humanity is felt–even deep into seemingly pristine forests and mountains.

Brad Daudlin. A teacher and administrator who knows, and lives, a simple truth.  All learners, whether 6 years old or 6 feet tall require the same of us– connection, respect, and engagement.

Dr. Gordon Neufeld. I still remember seeing this speaker back at the very beginning of my career. Back then, he was sharing his learning from raising his own adolescents.  In particular how critically important connection is, and that they will bond with their peers to the exclusion of all else. The irony was not lost on me that in this present session, he was surprised to discover one of his grandchildren resisted connecting to him as a caregiver. Lessons shared more than 20 years apart, probably the best example of life long learning I’ve witnessed.

Ian Landy. A lovely “why” session on why it’s important educators understand what it means for a learner to suffer anxiety. To be so anxious they are paralyzed by choice–that saying: “Just choose something” is not an option when it seems there are thousands of options, and the possibility of choosing wrong is as crippling as choosing correctly

Dean Shareski and Martha Shareski. A brilliant wrap up to the day– this Dad and Daughter Duo shared in incredible lesson about nurturing learning, following your passion, and living authentically. Martha created this video chronicling her own journey as a feminist.