Thank you Nancy Pratt and David Warlick

July 17, 2008 | |

I wanted to share a time from NECC and the Bloggers’ Cafe that I think got it right in the mix of “NYFB” and “FBs”. On Monday night (June 29), Lisa Parisi (middle above), and Cheryl Lykowski (right above) did an episode of Teachers are Talking from the Bloggers’ Cafe. The cafe was full, and I was going around trying to get folks to step up and chat with Lisa and Cheryl. It was hard getting everyday folk up there (most seem to be there sucking up wifi and a comfortable chair). It was the end of a frantic first day, there had been a lot of issues just getting into sessions. The crowd was tired.

There were some “famous names” around, and I asked them to come up (actually, I was asking anyone and everyone, I’m not picky). David Warlick, was dapper looking, but clearly done in by the day. Mr. Warlick was definitely within his rights turning me down, as he was obviously very tired after a long day. but he quickly changed his mind, and said he’d do a short bit. If it had just been for my only personal amusement (”Hey, can I talk to you about how important your work has been to me personally, please”), I would have left him alone, but it was important for the community that folks on Ed Tech Talk hear from him and others since although there were ~20,000 at NECC, there were many more who couldn’t make it and might listen to the show. I also tortured Scott McLeod (who was in the middle of a conversation, but said he’d talk after he was done).

Now that you all know how pushy and demanding I can be, I’ll continue. I came across Nancy Pratt, who had attended my Diigo workshop at EduBloggerCon. She indicated in some way that she was shy (although I see she had already attended NECC before), but that she was willing to go “on air”. The lineup ended up having Scott McLeod, David Warlick, and then Nancy. You can see her to the left in the picture above. I can’t tell you how much I admire the fact that she didn’t let that faze her going after David Warlick, and just got up there and started talking.

I want to thank Nancy for taking a chance. I want to thank David Warlick for so graciously participating, and I promise I’ll never nag you into something like that again. I want to thank Scott for being Scott. All of you together made that Webcast more authentic. If it had just been one of you, it would have been just a small slice of NECC, instead, listeners got to connect with a variety of folks–the kind of heterogenous group that keynoter, James Surowiecki, talked about as necessary for good group decision making.

Comments

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6 Comments so far

mrsdurff on July 18, 2008 8:12 am
Oh c’mon you will too nag him again! I know you!!

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alicemercer on July 18, 2008 8:43 am
Naw, I’ll send you instead

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Ann Oro on July 25, 2008 11:03 am
What really strikes me is the look on the three faces. They are all look so happy and into what they are doing. Thanks for sharing the photo and story.
Ann

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alicemercer on July 26, 2008 3:57 am
You know, I have to say all of those women are extremely joyful in almost every experience I’ve had with them (Lisa and I did suffer through VAC together, which was not a happy place).
I think this makes them willing to try new things, and able to get others to go along for the ride.

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Nancy Pratt on August 2, 2008 9:11 pm
Hi Alice,
I just ran across this post tonight. We were out to dinner and my sister in law said when she Googled my name, she saw my picture! What fun.

That day was a blast. It was s great to meet you and Lisa and Cheryl. It was nice to be invited to talk at the mic. And you are right, it was just a little bit intimidating following David Warlick, but you know, all of you were so nice and inviting, that you made the experience so much fun.

Thanks for being the leaders you are. I loved the whole expereince. You all were so nice and kind. Fun to meet!

I’ll be seeing you again….are you going next year?

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alicemercer on August 2, 2008 9:18 pm
You were AWESOME, and I am very impressed with how you put yourself out there.

I think the whole family will be going to the DC area next time around, so we can visit with my Aunt in Pennsylvania afterward, so I hope to see you again.

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