VAASL Conference Fun!
I was fortunate enough to attend the conference this year in Williamsburg. I learned so much there! One of the new things I learned were all the benefits of having a maker space in the library. In the keynote speech, Leslie Preddy, shared how students are able to use their creativity and problem solving skills to learn from informal activities that encourage the development of critical thinking skills and fine motor skills. These activities are self-directed and driven by the students’ own interests. Creating library maker spaces is an easy and inexpensive project that can be done with donations and grants. Offering a variety of activities of different levels of difficulty helps students develop resiliency and perseverance, skills that they will use for the rest of their time in school, in their careers and for the rest of their lives. I look forward to attending more conferences!
Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia
Poster presentation at SHAV 2018.
On Thursday, March 22nd and Friday, March 23rd I had the pleasure of attending the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia annual conference in Williamsburg, VA. This conference was an extremely beneficial educational experience. I expanded my knowledge on supervisor and making the most of the internship process as a student. I also gain insight into the relationships between speech-language pathologists and nurses in hospital setting during the collaborative care of adults with dysphagia. A highlight of the conference for me was a session that looked at the multifaceted treatment of children was multiple disabilities in a clinical environment. Three professionals from different disciplines presented this session and it was very well done. On Friday, I had the opportunity to present a poster summarizing research that my partners had been preparing since August. I am very thankful for this experience.
SHAPE America Conference: Nashville, TN 2018
Longwood University has always provided me with a variety of opportunities. I have been fortunate enough to attend three VAHPERD state conferences and one other SHAPE America Conference throughout my undergraduate years at Longwood University. The generosity of Graduate Studies has allowed me to continue attending professional development opportunities for my fifth year at Longwood. I had just as much fun and learned just as much as I had at all other conferences I previously attended, but this one was different. I was able to present with professors and other graduate students from Longwood and JMU about putting children’s abilities before their disabilities. The amazing part is that I was able to learn just about as much from the participants as they learned from me by listening to their experiences in the profession. This experience allowed me to get outside my comfort zone and use the skills and information Longwood has provided me and share those with others in the Health and Physical Education field.
I was also able to reunite with a previous Longwood University professor who taught my first physical education course. It was truly eye-opening to see how much we’ve grown and learned throughout the years. I look forward to attending National and State Conferences as a Longwood Alumni after graduating in May!
