What Happens in Vegas

I am just going to put it out there now that this post and the related ones that follow will NEVER be able to do justice to what the Vegas trip and experience has meant to me. 

It was epic.

It was fun

and

I am forever changed because of it!

This past week, I was very blessed to have had the opportunity to travel to Las Vegas, Nevada for the first EVER Teachers Pay Teachers conference. There were over 800 other TPT sellers who were there as well. The energy from having that many passionate and dedicated educators in one place was simply breathtaking.  

The first half of my week was spent meeting some of my blogger friends in real life at the 3rd Annual Teacher/Blogger Meet Up and at other events around Vegas . I roomed with the amazing Nicole from All Things Apples in 2nd, got to see Catherine from The Brown Bag Teacher again, I met my "meant to be BFF" Kandice from Time Two Teach, hung out with Ashley from Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd, and was able to meet some of my biggest blogging and TPT idols- April from A Modern Teacher, Elizabeth from Kickin' It In Kindergarten, and Cheryl from Primary Graffiti. 

I am so inspired by the ladies and gentlemen that I am surrounded by in the blogging community. Every single teacher that I met this week was genuine, spunky, talented, and fun! 

The second half of the week brought the fabulous TPT conference. If you were there(and if you weren't-you better be saving for your 2015 ticket NOW) you will understand what I mean when I say that the Keynote address from TPT founder Paul Edelman brought me to tears. Listening to him share his story behind the creation of Teachers Pay Teachers and hearing him express his appreciation for the teaching community gave me chills. 

The one and only Deanna Jump also spoke and shared her success story and what TPT has meant to her and her family. During her speech, I jotted down some of her wisdom! 

During the sessions, I was able to listen to Rachel Lynette and Laura Candler talk about what makes TPT resources A+ products, adored watching Deedee Wills and Deanna Jump talk about improving classroom creations, learned some great blogging tips from Hadar Maor, and gained so much new information from listening to the Q & A session with blogging panel rockstars Greg from Kindergarten Smorgasboard, Elizabeth from Kickin' It In Kindergarten, Erica from Erica's Ed-ventures, Cara from The First Grade Parade, and Deedee from Mrs. Wills Kindergarten. 

I love this sign that was posted up at the conference. TPT teachers ARE changing the rules. 

I haven't been able to get my mind to calm down. The whole experience was fabulous. I was really sad to leave the airport yesterday and head home. 

The epic Vegas Teaching Trip of 2014 may be over but the friends I have met, the memories I have made, and the professional development I have gained will NEVER be forgotten. 

(Happy Jumps for a successful Vegas trip....and Go Noodle!)