Last night the EduBloggersphere was all a twitter about who was “accepted” and who was “rejected” by NECC conference. Today, Vicki Davis writes a passionate post titled “Don’t let acceptance or rejection go to your head”. Vicki reflects about rejection:
The only way to permanently fall is to not get back up. To me, those with the most greatness often go through the greatest rejections of life. And amidst those rejections, they pull themselves together, refocus their understanding of why they’ve been put on this planet, and go on to achieve more than they every would have if they had been “accepted.”
Excellent words. But my concern about who got in and who didn’t creates a divide among us all. Aren’t we all in this together? Why do we have to be “upset” that so-and-so got “rejected” and so-and-so was not. Here is my comment on Vicki’s blog:
Great thoughts, Vicki. Not all sessions can be accepted with over 2000 applications to present at NECC. The “rejection” is more about the growing talent of tech-loving teachers and the camaraderie and eagerness of sharing THAN anyone’s personal ability to give a workshop. Let’s celebrate the interest in NECC and be positive!! It’s not about winners or losers – we all win when there is enthusiasm. We all win when those who were “rejected” take up Steve Hargadon’s offer to share at EduBloggerCon or NECC Unplugged. Come on folks — let’s stop competing — and start collaborating!
Disclaimer: My 1st ever NECC session proposal was accepted and I am thrilled and humbled at the same time. Let’s celebrate LEARNING together!
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Cool! What is your proposal?! Look forward to learning from you. I agree, we should celebrate the great amount of talent out there. Not hearing any, “if THEY were accepted, why wasn’t I?” I think everyone agrees that the proposals accepted will be great. We just all know others who would be great too who didn’t get accepted. Luckily, we get to learn from each other all year long with our very powerful PLN.
Not only do I get to attend my first NECC, but was accepted to present a workshop as well. I am thrilled, nervous, excited, and humbled all at once. I am on the CUE planning committee and had to help pick the workshops there – it is NOT an easy job and there were way more GREAT workshops than we were allowed to pick.
Yes, I hate that there is us and them and there shouldn’t be. The point is supposed to be that we are all “us” and “them” at some point. I know some tweets that did not want to admit they were accepted – they couldn’t celebrate b/c of those who were upset for not getting accepted. I’m not sharing yet what got accepted b/c of that same feeling.
Yes, let’s celebrate but also know that we have to pick up and move on and look forward to a great NECC.
Collette-
Being one of the “NECC” rejects-I so appreciate your post. I was disappointed to be giving a session, but so proud of my colleagues who will be sharing their passion and expertise.
I am truly thrilled and excited to be apart of this amazing community. And my new free “time slot” will allow me to hear in person some of the great folks I have been admiring from afar!
We absolutely are all in this together-We learn as much from the conversations in the hallways (and for woman the bathrooms) as we do in the sessions.
Thanks for the important reminder of why we do this important work! Can’t wait for your session!
Collette,
My poster session was accepted at NECC and I am excited and honored as it is the first time I applied. i hope we have an opportunity to meet at NECC as it would be great to see so many people I admire in one place. Your post was excellent and this year is exciting in the hearing of new voices. It really is a testimony to the great work others have done in inspiring a “new generation.”