Imagine an educator conference where you’re singing, dancing, and celebrating being a teacher. And also Mario Lopez is there. It’d be close to what you’d get if a traditional educator conference and a Tony Robbins conference had a baby. If you’ve never seen one before, it’s called Get Your Teach On and here’s their 2022 National Conference opening kick off performance.
Going to a conference like this is FAR outside of what’s familiar or comfortable for me, but I’m registered for their Las Vegas conference in January 2023 because I need to learn more.
Without experiencing a Get Your Teach On conference, it’s easy to judge them. So I’ve been compiling a list of wonderings I have and want to learn more about. Please read this list below and let me know what else I should try to figure out.
- How did they learn about the conference?
- Why do attendees chose to come to this conference instead of a traditional conference?
- Do traditional conferences make them feel unwelcome?
- Do traditional conferences make them feel they don’t know enough or are not good enough?
- Are they fans of the presenters and want to learn from them in person?
- Are they going by themselves or in groups?
- How many people are attending these conferences?
- How are attendees paying for the conference?
- How do attendees feel about things like dancing and singing? Do they enjoy it or feel uncomfortable?
- Does singing and dancing at a conference still make me feel uncomfortable after attending the conference and being with other people doing them?
- What are the demographics of a GYTO attendee/presenter as compared to a traditional conference attendee/presenter?
- What social media platforms are most attendees/presenters on?
- GYTO picks your conference sessions for you. Do attendees like that or prefer more options? Does more choices feel good or overwhelming?
- Are GYTO conferences always multi-subject K-6 teachers or sometimes subject specific?
- How do the regional and national GYTO conferences compare?
- How do GYTO presentations compare to traditional conference presentations?
- What percentage of conference sessions are make and take?
- What percentage of conference sessions is inspirational versus strategies you can apply?
- Is what’s being shared pedagogically sound?
- What could traditional conferences learn from the GYTO conference?
I wonder about their stance on access and equity in mathematics instruction. Tried to search for it but I couldn’t find anything on that.
— Abi Ruiz (@abiruiz) November 9, 2022
How do they measure their own success?
What do they brag about?
What’s their target demographic?
Whats their upsell? (I'm assuming there is one)
How do they keep in touch with people between conferences?
How happy are people with what they’re getting?— Dan Finkel (@MathforLove) November 9, 2022
Do any introverts go? If so, how do they cater for them?
— Michaela Epstein (@mic_epstein) November 9, 2022
For any experienced/veteran teachers who do attend, why do they go?
(It seems VERY geared towards younger teachers, so I'm curious about the benefits for others)
— Michaela Epstein (@mic_epstein) November 9, 2022
How much teaching and coaching experience do these presenters have? They look so young. Young teachers have a lot to give but…
— Dr.E (@kwedenfield) November 9, 2022
I want to know the screening process for how they pick their presenters. Do they align with best practices and current research?
— Sarasotamath (@sarasotamath) November 9, 2022
What have teachers been doing to mitigate “learning loss” and mental well-being of students post online learning?
What teaching practices sustained pre-, during- and post-pandemic and why?
— Isabella Liu (she/they) (@theisabellaliu) November 9, 2022
What are the demographics of schools these Ts (attendees & presenters) work at – wonder if there are any trends?
Would also be interested to see standardized test score data – particularly, growth trends – interested how the pedagogy/practices align with state standards.— Megan Smith (@MKSmithCA) November 10, 2022
Who is their DJ? I would love to party with them?
— Dr. Pamela Jones Seda (@pamseda1) November 9, 2022
I'm curious about the underlying pedagogy and instructional practices. Is there substance underneath the flashing lights and music?
— Kit 🏳️🌈 (@MrKitMath) November 9, 2022
Will Robert dance? Why are people drawn to these conferences?
Is it more hype than pedagogy?
How much do they charge?
How much merch do they sell?— Chris Michalyshen (@CMichalyshen) November 10, 2022
It is all about how you make them feel! Music, dancing, dress up themes! It’s like summer camp for teachers! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts.
Yeah, I think that there’s a social emotional component that is a huge part of the draw… which perhaps traditional conferences typically prioritize less. I look forward to better understanding it.
I am wondering what motivates people to go to this. Are they just trying to get INSPIRED and PUMPED UP? Or are they thinking they are going to take some content away that they can apply to the classroom?
I imagine that it’s possible to have both. People want to be inspired AND take away great content. Definitely looking to learn more.
I wonder how many MS/HS teachers attend. This seems like it might be geared more toward teachers who teach all subject areas.
When I was registering, I was thinking I could pick a secondary track but it was only K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 grade options. So I picked 6th grade. I’ll be on the lookout for MS and HS teachers.
So many questions! How do the presenters here compare to normal conference presenters (would Robert Kaplinsky be invited to present?) If those are actual working teachers – when do they get time to rehearse an opening number? Is this how baptists feel visiting a pentecostal church for the first time?
That’s a really great point, Marcia. I hadn’t wondered enough about how presenters are chosen. I don’t believe that there is an application process. I think they reach out to those who they want to present. I will see what I can find out.
I think some of your questions address this, but my big question is “what’s the goal?”
Are they creatively leveraging engagement to help teachers learn more? Or is it just a party?
My hunch is that it’s more about creatively leveraging engagement and less about a party. It feels like there’s a semi-elitist air where “real” professional development is serious and quiet and rigorous and that anything jovial and fun is not “real” professional development.
Perhaps this is the answer to: “What would happen if we took quality professional development but also made it fun and recharging?”
I would like to figure that out.
An anonymous commenter wanted me to share their wondering:
“I think community is a big need so I would like to see how the community feels there. I like how this feels like it is reaching the younger teachers. NCTM was a little scary in that aspect where I didn’t see many teachers my age.”
Here are some additional questions from another anonymous commenter:
– Are presenters paid? Are they given budgets? Part of the negative of conferences we are used to is there is very little money and it gets put on the presenter to jazz anything up. I know I pull back on presentations where I’d had to bring tons of supplies- which in turn limits the type of learning we do together.
– How many presentations end with a pitch to their TPT store. I get the feeling most are making bank with their side hustles and promote them at this conference. There isn’t anything wrong with this, but it feels like a presumption I have and wonder if I’m right?
– I’m very curious about their criteria to speak.