From Teacher to Conference Presenter: What I Learned (and Loved) About Leading a Workshop

Honestly, having so much fun presenting at this workshop on a topic I think is very important in today's educational landscape.

Whew. Let me just start by saying: I did the thing.

I stood up in front of a room full of educators, not as a participant or support staff, but as the actual workshop presenter. Like… the person people came to learn from. Wild, right?

And let me tell you—it was a blast.

Leaning Into the Chaos (and Canva)

From the moment I said “yes” to presenting, I was in full send mode. I loved the prep process. Seriously. Collecting data from social media polls and needs assessments? Yes, please. Organizing my thoughts into something semi-coherent? Bring it on. Digging deep into Canva like a proud digital designer? I was thriving. If conference prep was a sport, I was training for the educator Olympics.

Sure, I had a mini panic attack (read: one solid day of anxious pacing and overthinking every slide), but by the time the big day rolled around, I was full of energy. My silly, goofy, 100% authentic self took center stage--and it felt so good.

Presenting: It’s a Vibe

You know that magical feeling when you’re in your teaching groove, and everything just clicks? That’s how presenting felt. I wasn’t just sharing information--I was connecting. Laughing with my audience, getting real about the challenges we face, and offering strategies people could actually use the second they got back to their classrooms.

I didn’t have to pretend to be the polished, “serious” version of a presenter. I just got to be me--with all my awkward jokes, tangents, and “you know what I mean, right?” teacher moments.

Takeaways from the Other Side of the Podium

While I was there, I popped into a few other workshops (because I am truly a forever learner). I jotted down some things that really work when you're running a session--and a few things I’d maybe… avoid:

✅ Give People Something Tangible (or Digital!)

Whether it’s a printable, a template, a slide deck, or even just a QR code to a resource list--educators want to leave with something they can use. We are busy humans. Bonus points if it makes Monday morning easier.

✅ Visuals Matter

Listen, no one wants to read paragraphs off a PowerPoint while pretending not to check their phone under the table. Make it visual. Show examples. Add color. Use Canva like it owes you money.

❌ Don’t Force Weird Icebreakers

Group work is fine. Reflection is great. But if you start a session with “stand up and go introduce yourself to someone new!”--we’re immediately flashing back to PD nightmares and pretending to go to the bathroom. Let grownups work with who they want. Trust me, engagement will skyrocket when you give people the comfort of familiarity.

✅ Be Authentically You

Not everyone is going to vibe with your style. That’s okay. Be yourself anyway. The right people--the ones who need your energy, your ideas, your voice--will get exactly what they came for. You can’t reach everyone, but you can be proud that you stayed true to yourself.

Or in less cheesy terms: If I have to leave the building sweaty and exhausted, I’d at least like to know I was myself while doing it. (and I really was-- it was 96 degrees)

Thinking About Presenting? Do It.

If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of presenting at a conference, here’s your sign. Do it. There is something incredibly empowering about taking what you know--your hard-earned wisdom, your creativity, your chaos--and offering it up to a room of people who get it. Who need it.

And hey, you don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to be willing to share the ones you do have.

So here’s to showing up, being real, and maybe even dancing a little in front of the screen when no one’s looking (or when everyone is looking--whatever floats your boat).

You’ve got this.