I’m linking up with my friends over at the Elementary Entourage to bring VEGAS 2015 to you for our TPT Conference Linky Party!! Grab a latte – maybe a notebook – and a tissue, too? I can’t wait to share what an absolutely amazing and memorable time I had last week with you!!
I have no idea at all where to start when it comes to trying to sum up my 3 days in Vegas at the TPT Conference 2015 in one blog post or less. Truly. no. idea.
I am EXCITED and FILLED with renewed energy.
I am inspired and cannot WAIT to put into practice so many of the fabulous things that I’ve learned.
I am filled with gratitude for the AMAZING outpouring of support that YOU all brought Angie’s and my way with #periscopeteachers.
I am humbled by all of the amazingly sweet, supportive, and oh so sincere comments and love that I heard from SO many sweet and talented teacher bloggers.
I am THANKFUL and I am OH SO BLESSED to have gotten the opportunity to meet and share a moment or two with some of the most INSPIRATIONAL people I know.
With all of that being thrown out there, in the words of our founder Paul Edelman…. I want to fill this post with “razzmatazz”. I want you to feel like you were there WITH ME in Vegas!! I want you to hear my squeals. I want you to feel my heart racing. I want you to have the same ah-ha moments I did when you learn a FABULOUS tip!! I want to bring TPT VEGAS 2015 TO YOU!!
So here I am all ready to go! I snagged a book for the flight – Sharp Objects – but I ended up putting that down to be able to CREATE on the way!! I worked on getting a few custom orders finished on my flight out including an alphabet and a number line to 100!
After a 4 and a half hour flight – I was ALMOST THERE!!! I flew out to Vegas on Wednesday morning – but Angie and I have already decided that we are going wayyyyyy earlier in the week next year – NOT #fomo, just for more down time . . . and by down time I mean more time to create, #bloggybestie style, side by side!!!!!
Speaking of bloggy bestie. Can I just take a minute – or four – to tell you how incredibly amazing this girl is!?!? If you DON’T know – Angie (the pretty girl with me in the picture above) is blog author at Lucky Little Learners. Not only is she BRILLIANTLY talented – a math Interactive Notebook QUEEN!! – and an absolute social media GENIUS – she is also kind, selfless, hard working(understatement of the century), supportive, passionate, and has an absolute heart of gold. Angie – I adore you and I will FOREVER be thankful that our journeys on TPT have brought us TOGETHER. You have made me a better teacher, a better Christian, a better blogger, a better FRIEND, and a better version of ME. More so, you push me to be an even better version of me than I was YESTERDAY, and all the while, you’re (virtually) by my side as my number one supporter. #2getherwearebetter. We truly are better together. I love you dearly and am so thankful to have found a forever friend on this journey of ours!! #isitoctoberyet
I’ll wait for you {or me} to get back from grabbing a tissue…… #sorrynotsorry #hadtobesaid
Angie and I were THRILLLLLLLED to have been brought back together in Vegas for only the 2nd time!! We met LAST year in Vegas – {read all about TPT VEGAS 2014 HERE} – and we haven’t been in the same zip code SINCE!!!! Can you believe that?! She’s a Minnesota blogger, and I’m in NE Ohio, so we are so very far apart – sad face – BUT we are PUMPED to have SEVERAL meet-ups planned together during the next few months to be sure that it is NOT another year before we see each other!! And don’t worry – – – there WILL be Periscoping to be had during alllllll of those meetups, too!! EEK! Already excited….. STAY TUNED FOR THAT! . .
Y’all. Meet my ROOMMATES!!! From left to right! :
Diane from One Giggle at a Time
me!
Angie from Lucky Little Learners
Emily from Polka Dots Please
I was SO blessed to get to share such a memorable 3 days with these AMAZING ladies. Emily is my best friend in the world who I taught first grade with for 4 years before I moved from PA to OH. She was also the matron of honor in my wedding and now, even though we are 200 miles apart, we are brought back together by TPT!! BONUS FACT! – Diane Romo, was Emily’s student teaching mentor and now SHE is joining us on this TPT journey too, bringing us ALLLLLL together!! Romo and Emily had me laughing so so hard this week and I am so thankful that they were a part of such an AMAZING week in Vegas. I just love those girls to pieces 🙂 🙂
YAY!! A picture of Emily and me in nice clothes! NOT in a Thing 1 and Thing 2 costume! HAHA! #seriouslythough Emily and I taught first grade together and we came up with a costume for everything haha! So it’s quite refreshing to have an AWESOME picture of the two of us to hang in my classroom that DOESN’T include a wig. #truth Em – you’re the best friend that a girl could ask for and I’m so so excited to have you join this TPT journey with me!! 🙂 Love you, girlie!! I’m so so glad that you are in my life. You’re the BEST.
Did I mention what an awesome friend she is?!? Look at these fabulous teacher gifts she brought us!!
Emily made each of us blog button pins AND key chains with a fabulous matching cup!!! HOW CUTE ARE THEY?!?!? And Angie and I got the 4 of us matching “Bloggers gonna blog” t shirts from Etsy!!! Are you in love?! I AM!!! Yay for fun presents upon arriving in Vegas!! I seriously have the best friends in the world!
And, well, we know just how much fun I had with this sweet girl. From blogger celeb sightings that sent us into uncontrollable/breath stopping SQUEALS – to being brave enough to take HUGE risks together by trying a little something BRAND new called Periscope {more to come on that in a bit!} – to shedding a tear or two together as we were absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude at the ENDLESS support that we received all week long on our risk taking – I wouldn’t have wanted to share any ONE of those moments with any one else!! #hashtagsisters #isitoctoberyet
GUESS WHAT!! We found Annie Moffatt!! And SHEEEE led us to STARBUCKS!! 🙂 Annie is as SWEET AS PIE and I just loved chatting with her this week!
One of my favorite messages that was given at the TPT conference this week was that TPT prides itself on GOOD PEOPLE. Good people do great things is part of The TPT Way… well, my goodness gracious, I couldn’t have BEEN more thrilled to be SURROUNDED by those GOOD PEOPLE!! Check out my FRIENDS with which I would NOT have been blessed if it weren’t for TPT!!
Can we just take a minute and talk about the fabulous amount of talent in this picture?!?!
the hilariously energetic Rachelle from What the Teacher Wants – Maria from Kindercraze – Hadar from Miss Kindergarten – DEANNA JUMP!! – Miss DeCarbo from Sugar and Spice – Elizabeth from Kickin it in Kindergarten – Amy Lemons!!! from Step into Second Grade ANNNNND the absolutely gorgeous Hope King from Elementary Shenanigans!! I mean?!?! SERIOUSLY!! AHHH Getting to chat and hug and snap selfies with these FABULOUS girls just MADE MY WEEK!!! <3 I heart you ALLLLL!!!
Do you recognize the talented girls and guys {Luke from Students of History – that shout out is for you!!} in the pictures above?!?! I could go on and on and on and on about the AMAZING friends and connections that I have ALL THANKS TO TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS!!!
Speaking of Teachers Pay Teachers….. you know… the little ol’ company that is the REASON that over 1100 of my teacher friends got to have the LARGEST “global staff meeting” this week during which “everyone is happy”?!? Did you know TPT has been around for 7 years… before that, it was a “hunch” that Paul Edelman (FOUNDER OF TPT!) had for a successful teacher platform . . . . a “HUNCH” that has turned into what we ALL now know as Teachers Pay Teachers!!… a “hunch” that has brought some of my absolutely FAVORITE people in the world into my life. I’ll forever be thankful that Paul decided to pursue that hunch!! . . . . Speaking of Paul . . . . .
Last year I was WAY too backward and shy to introduce myself to Paul Edelman – the founder of our TPT family. So this year, I wasn’t letting TPT Vegas come to a close without meeting him! Fortunately, Angie and I were able to meet him together and he actually recognized us as “the Persicope girls”!! How cool is that?!!? LOVED getting to meet Paul and SO many other members of this TPT family who live, love, believe, breathe, and work THE TPT WAY!! <3 THANK YOU PAUL!!!
Soo…. you may be wondering what I mean by “Periscope girls”. I hope you aren’t wondering…. but if you ARE… well. Periscope sort of EXPLODED as a teacher blogger platform this week in Las Vegas, and Angie and I kind of sort of had a little bit to do with it!!! 🙂
Before we left for Vegas on Wednesday, Angie and I decided that we were going to give Periscope {a live video streaming app} a go in an attempt to BRING THE EXCITEMENT OF VEGAS to all of our teacher friends at home!! We had NO idea what might happen next… But oh goodness. It happened.
We started with an itty bitty broadcast live from the Vegas airport when we were reunited – but every single braodcast after that got bigger and better and even MORE exciting – and then YOU ALL took over!!
We QUICKLY got addicted to jumping on live, sharing our energy and our Vegas takeaways, and offering our two (or four) cents to all of y’all. You all were SO sweet and supportive RIGHT OFF THE BAT!! – heck my mom even tuned in. Her username – NO JOKE – is Mrs. Schroeder’s mom. HA! #perfect
Sam Gerard – Social Media and Community Developer FOR TPT – joined us for a scope Wednesday night to help us start the hashtag #PERISCOPETEACHERS and oh my word it just TOOK OFF!!! Teachers from ALL OVER THE WORLD – Australia, Spain, France, New Zealand, Canada, UK! were joining our broadcasts!! ANNNND as we shared the importance of working together and lifting each other up – YOU ALL started hashtags, Facebook groups, and your OWN periscope accounts to #FINDYOURTRIBE !! The OUTPOUR of support was UNBELIEVABLE and I can say with confidence that thanks to all of you, we have most definitely put Periscope on the map for teachers and TPT’ers to add to their collaboration tool box!! Angie and I believe more than anything and have always always said that TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER {#2getherwearebetter} – – – Perfectly enough, THE TPT WAY also believes: “Come Together, Go Further” !
Keep working together!! Keep hunting down your tribe!! And keep SHARING all of those stories with us, too!! We have LOVED connecting with so many NEW friends on Periscope this week and we will CONTINUE to bring content filled Periscope broadcasts your way!! THANK YOU for helping us to turn our Periscoping plans into something INCREDIBLY and AUTHENTICALLY powerful as we have made new connections with teachers ALL OVER THE WORLD!!
Angie and I ALSO have put together a 25 TIPS filled post to help you learn even MORE about Periscope – what it is and what it isn’t – and how we as teachers can use it to CONNECT with other fabulous educators.
CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO LEARN MORE!!!
If you’re new to the Periscope fabulousness – click HERE to check out my blog post filled with Periscope tips and tricks to get started. The videos are only saved on periscope for 24 hours, however, I saved one to my Youtube channel to share with you!! Angie and I were gearing up for the Keynote on Friday morning of the conference and just so happened to snag the ENTIRE TPT TEAM in our Periscope that morning which was SO SO FUN!! Check out the replay here!!:
And just take a peek at these AMAZING hashtags that were created or used ridiculously perfect all week as a way to connect with each other!! These all stemmed off of a few TPT conference takeaways that Angie and I shared on Thursday about connecting with people that speak your language!! We have absolutely LOVED watching these all COME TO LIFE and fill our feeds!!! It has been BEYOND fun!!
Whew. There was SO much that FILLED MY HEART so far in this post – and I’ve realized it has been 100% about the PEOPLE. The GOOD PEOPLE that do GREAT THINGS! {#thetptway} My heart has been filled with friends, bloggers, idols, and followers – and I thank each and every one of you for being a part of this beautiful 3 days that TPT Vegas 2015 was.
But guess what!! MY BRAIN got filled too!!! 🙂 . . . .
My pen was going crazy from the minute Amy Borrell Berner – Director of Seller Happiness {her brand new title!} welcomed us on Thursday. And I swear I haven’t stopped writing my inspirations SINCE!! From quotes, to tips, to messages, to ideas, to something new to try, my brain is HAPPILY filled with new ideas and angles to give-a-go !!
Check out THIS fabulous thought from THE Rachel Lynette!!
Rachel {and several other presenters} talked ALLLLLLL about the fact that there is NO ONE WAY that works for ALL of us. We take our own journeys. Whether it’s a journey through student teaching, through a new teaching position, through starting a blog, or through the fabulous journey of being a part of the TPT family, we all make and TAKE our OWN journey. My journey is different than yours and yours is different from mine – and THAT’S OK!!! Rachel reminds us to OWN our journey. OWN IT and LOVE IT!!! 🙂 And I just LOVE that!!
I am not going to go into to GREAT detail about too much of what I learned in Vegas in this post – keeping it all on the inspirationally filled side of things – but I WILL blog about a few ideas and tips in DETAIL in upcoming posts this month! HOWEVER, I DO want to bring you just a few common messages as well as just a few top tips I learned, too, before I go!! 🙂
This lit up board of fabulousness just makes my TPT heart happy. My personal favorite … “Be your BEST you” And FIND YOUR TRIBE so they can HELP you be your best you each and every day!!!
#findyourtribe
Here are just a few common messages or themes that I kept hearing throughout SO many of the presenters sessions…
DO THE WORK: Nothing comes easy – there are no short cuts! To be successful, DO THE WORK! 🙂 And do VALUABLE work that you’re proud to call your own and that you’re proud to put on your “shelf” in store TPT. 🙂
OWN YOUR JOURNEY: Don’t try and copy any one else’s journey. Create and own YOUR journey. Own and LOVE your journey. Be proud of every single step you’ve taken to get where you are!! Work hard, do you, be real, and earn every thing that comes your way on your journey! OWN and LOVE your journey!!!
BE YOU!! Last year’s TPT conference left me loving this exact same message! DO YOU!! The TPT WAY believes that we all help and encourage each other to “be your best YOU!” How can you be the best YOU if you’re trying to be someone else?! DO YOU!! BE YOU!! and OWN IT!
TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER: You all know that Angie and I have a #2getherwearebetter linky party that we host on the 2nd of every month – and we strive to bring teacher bloggers TOGETHER to blog and share on the SAME topic each month so that we can LEARN from each other TOGETHER because TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER!! Well, guess what – each and every presenter that we saw PREACHED that working together MAKES US BETTER!! TOGETHER we truly are BETTER!!!
And lastly – I wanted to share just a few QUICK TIPS and TAKEAWAYS that I plan on putting into action right away to better my brand! 🙂
Tip 1: Turn off your phone – work uninterrupted – TURN OFF YOUR NOTIFICATIONS! So when it’s time to work, you’re working hard and you aren’t tempted by those periscope whistles or your instagram likes!
Tip 2: Set a schedule!! I am so excited to use my new planner that I got in my session with Erin Cobb to map out a work schedule for every day. AND when you chose that “work and create time” every day…. make it the BEST TIME OF DAY FOR YOU!! If you’re a morning person, make your work and create time in the morning and give it your all! Then, later in the day, when it’s NOT your best time of the day, you can do other things like check email, pin, post on IG, etc!!
Tip 3: Create an email list to send out to your followers!! I do NOT have an email list yet, but I plan on getting one set up using Mail Chimp. #chriskesslerisbrilliant This is a guaranteed way for your to get your posts seen!! Facebook and pinterest analytics have made it VERY difficult to have our every posts seen by our entire audience BUT with an email list, everyone is guaranteed to receive it!! I can’t wait to give this a try!
Tip 4: Tiny to do lists! Can you have a giant master list? OF COURSE! (I need mine more than I need water) BUT when you sit down for “work time” each day, make TINY lists with 1-3 tasks on it!
Take the 1-3 things that are PRIORITY on your master list to work on for the day! Then you can stay focused on your FEW tasks at hands without getting overwhelmed by the bunches and bunches of to dos! PLUS you get to feel realllllly good when you check off the entire {albeit tiny} list!!!!
Tip 5: FIND YOUR TRIBE and create a small MASTERMIND GROUP!! Connect with a handful of people who you love to work with and who you will learn from, support, as well as who YOU will support and share learning with as well! Meet with this mastermind group (Google Hangouts works great for this!) once or twice a week to talk about goals, work towards those goals, and even to keep each other held accountable for deadlines!! LOVE THIS!!
SO!! Are your brains full?!? How about your hearts?! Feeling inspired? I HOPE SO!!
But all good great awesome INCREDIBLE things must come to an end – and Vegas 2015 was no exception. I got right to work on the plane, drafting my blog post and collectin all of my inspiration for the week of which I captured SOME in pictures. I wore my new bloggy shirt home AND I was thrilled to see on Paul Edelman’s IG {top right picture} that #TPTVEGAS16 will be keeping it real so YAYYYY for already looking forward to next year to be reconnected with all of the fabulous people and inspiration that I just shared with all of you!!
Before I bring this post to a close, I truly hope that I have brought you just a small fraction of the goosebumps, the ah-ha moments, a squeal, and maybe even a half of a tear to help you experience just a GLIMPSE of the wonderfulness that this absolutely SURREAL week was for me.
As I feel more a part of the TPT family now than I have ever before in the last year and a half that I have had my store, I want to leave you with a quote that was shared at the keynote speech in hopes that YOU feel a little bit more a part of the TPT family too, and that you have a crystal clear image of “the TPT way”!
At TPT, we’re a family. We surround ourselves with GOOD PEOPLE – and those GOOD PEOPLE lift each other up and help each other to do AMAZING things. I could not be more thankful to Paul, team TPT, and for all of the people and experiences that this journey has brought into my life. #thankfulteacher
I’m already looking forward to our TPT family reunion for #tptvegas16. I hope to see YOU there!!!
Stop over to the ELEMENTARY ENTOURAGE to see where this linky party all starts!! 🙂 🙂
So jealous! This was a great post. Thank you for sharing so much with all of us. It's been about a year since I have really done anything with blogging or TpT since I had my daughter but I'm really starting to feel inspired again to find the time. I joined in on several of your periscopes and it was so much fun. I even opened a Twitter account last night after hearing you talk about the Twitter chats. All of this social media is a job within itself! The biggest thing I have taken away from your advice is to create when it's time to create and put your phone away! Thank so much Ashley. You are awesome.
Jessica
Literacy Spark
AWESOME post!!! Thank you so much for sharing. Love all of your pics 🙂
Julie
The Techie Teacher
Awww Jessica thanks so much for reading and for your sweet sweet words!!! I'm SO glad you're feeling inspired to get started again! It is SUCH an incredible and UNIQUE family we share!! 🙂 And You are so right… social media IS a job within itself!! I'm so glad you've gotten some inspiration and tips from my post!! 🙂
All I can say after reading this post is, WOW! You are such an inspiration and I appreciate SO much how you and Angie took the time away from the conference to share your excitement and experiences with those of us who couldn't make it there this year. As a new blogger/seller it has meant the world to me to have experienced bloggers and teachers like you who I can look up to and help guide the way for me in this new experience. I loved reading your takeaways and favorite moments. Your personality shines through in this post and I could feel your excitement jumping off the screen. I am making it my personal goal to get to the conference next year and it's because of all of your inspiration and openness that makes me that much more excited. I am going to sign off today to take some time to create and get my summer self in gear! Thank you Ashley!
Jayme
Teach Talk Inspire
I'm so glad you like my post Julie!! I just HAD to bring Vegas to all of you!!
Ashley
Oh wow, Jayme – this comment means so so much to me!! THANK YOU for your sweet support and I'm so glad I could bring some inspiration and VEGAS your way!!! <3
I loved reading this post. It made me feel that I was almost there. Thanks for sharing your moments and take-a-ways!
Jamie
Teaching Tidbits and More with Jamie
Wow – you really packed every little moment into this one post! So much happened over three short days that it's hard to digest it all. I love all of your pictures and takeaway tips. Such a great post for those who weren't able to attend. I'd love to connect with you and Angie next year and will have to make a point to do that. Thanks for the Periscope chats; It was fun seeing excitement for the app grow like wildfire among teachers.
Jennifer
everythingjustso.org
What a great recap! I'm glad you were the cheerleader for Periscope! It's a great tool and I'm excited about the momentum behind it!
I am so glad that I was able to meet you. This post is amazing. I had goosebumps, tears, smiles… all the feels! Thank you for sharing this post with the world. I will look back on it every time I need a little inspiration.
Jennifer
Jennuine Teaching
Wow, what an incredible post about the conference and all the fun you had! You and Angie are so cute on your Periscope videos! Can't wait til next year!
Brittany
Tickled Pink in Primary
What an awesome post! So informative and inspiring!
I watched you on Periscope today and you were so inspiring. I almost feel like I could do it myself now.:) I keep my phone in a different room on silent for 30-40 minutes and then I allow myself a checky break. 🙂
Thanks for sharing so much!
-Jessica
The Whimsical Teacher
Ashley, you are so inspiring to me. Your passion and enthusiasm is catching! I can't wait to meet you next year in Vegas and give you a huge hug! #secondgradetribe
Stephanie
The Learning Chambers
OMGoodness! This post is so super amazing and filled with such an incredible energy! Girl, you amaze and inspire me every day! I am so glad I was finally able to meet my #nametwin, who taught me how to do an angled selfie! I'm already counting down the days until next year! #isitjulyyet
LOVE!! Your blog post was just as amazing as spending time with you in Vegas in person and on Periscope!! I MISS you already friend! i can't wait to hang out with you next year in Vegas before the conference begins! We are already planning on being there early too!! Thank you for bringing periscope to light, and for helping us all stay connected!! <3 you friend!!
Mrs. 3rd Grade
You are amazing!!!! I just love you to pieces. And we kept running into Emily and Diane….no clue that Emily was your best friend! We loved them! Vegas week is so crazy that is hard to connect the dots. So glad that we have blogs to figure all of these connections out. My hat is off to you and Angie for ALL you did to be the "Periscope Girls". Look forward to seeing you soon!
And you just so you know….we are really going to need that last quote available for our offices. Hint, hint, hint!
YAY! I'm so glad that I could help you to feel like you were there!!! 🙂
Jennifer! Thanks so much for the sweet comments! Angie and I would definitely like to connect with you next year as we kept missing you overtime you connected with our roommates!! Thanks for commenting!! 🙂
Thanks so much for your encouraging comment! We LOVE the momentum that it currently has and it's so so fun so see everyone being brave enough to "flip the camera"!!
I'm so glad we could meet too!!! I'm SO glad that it brought you the goosebumps, tears, and smiles that I had while I was there! It was truly amazing!!
Thanks Brittany!! I'm already counting down until next year, too!
Thanks so much for your comment Lynn!! I'm so glad it has been helpful!! 🙂
AHHHH I LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of keeping your phone in another room for 30-40 minutes before checking it. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THAT!! I definitely am going to try it!! 🙂 Thanks so much for the tip!!
Ahhhhh #secondgradetribe love coming right back at you!! I can't wait to meet you either!!! 🙂
AHHHH ASHLEY!! I'm so so glad we got to meet, chat selfie angles, and get to hang out a bit, too!!! I already can't wait for the next meet up!! <3 I just LOVE my bloggy friends!! <3
Ahhhh Cassandra I just ADORE YOU!! Thank you, as always for your sweet and supportive comments!! <3 You are the sweetest!!!! 🙂
AHHHH you are just the SWEETEST!!!! Vegas week is INSANE!! We FOR SURE want to come earlier next year to have even more time to connect!! And ahhh I love the "Persicope Girls " comment 🙂 I guess that's kind of what we are, now, huh?! WE ADORE YOU!!!!
Heheheh I guess I'll add it to the list <3333 🙂
Truly a wonderful post! I loved reading it, and I hope I get to meet you one day. 🙂 You will be my TPT celebrity hahaha
Ashley, your kind words are so humbling! It was such an honor to be your roomie! I am so thankful Emily brought us together!!! #greatmindsthinkalike #handitover
xxoo,
Diane
I really enjoyed reading your post, seeing your pictures, & watching your scope via Youtube. Thanks so much for the inspiration…now off to read all of your posts on Periscope…I am almost ready to dive in with my own scope…hope you will join in when I do!
Thanks,
Nancy
The Apple Basket Teacher
My brother has been dropping hints that he wants his bachelor party in Vegas. I need ideas.
Keep up posting great stuff!
thanks for this article I really enjoyed it