Slicers Unite

I was sitting in Lucy Calkins session on leadership during yesterday’s Teachers College, Saturday Reunion. I was trying to balance taking notes and Tweeting out some big ideas-knowing how much I’ve valued this method of sharing while I’ve been home during a big PD event.

As I published a fresh Tweet with a gem from Lucy Calkins, I noticed a blue notification by the message symbol at the top of my Twitter Screen. This was my second of the day. The first message was from fellow Slice of Lifer, Susan aka readingteachsu. We had discovered that we would both be at the Saturday Reunion…again. We’ve been following each other through our Blogs and on Twitter for three years now. We’ve both been at the Saturday Reunion a few times, but always miss each other. This time, she shared her phone number through Twitter. Knowing she might be in the same room had me peering over my shoulder and checking faces in the crowd as we walked from session to session.

Then, sitting in this leadership session, I checked the new message. This one was from Melanie Meehan, Two Writing Teacher co-author. She saw my Tweets from the session with Lucy and figured out that we were sitting in the same room. I showed the message to Elena on my left and Erika on my right, both dedicated Slicers. We casually peered around us. Where was Melanie?

I wrote back, confirming that I was indeed in the same session. “In the back, center section.”

Melanie responded, describing her seat’s location, also in the back, center section. She was sitting to the right of Lucy, next to the sound equipment.

I wrote back that I was to the left of Lucy, in front of the equipment. ” I’ll look for you when we stand up! I’m wearing white. I should have worn a more fun color!”

At the end of the session, I stood up and turned around hoping to be able to spot Melanie. As I turned my head, I heard my name. “Jess!”

I waved and waiting for the crowds to clear. When Melanie got closer, we embraced and laughed that we should all be wearing “Slice Swag.” I introduced her to Erika and Elena and just like that our virtual worlds collided in real life.

Then again, during the closing keynote with Marc Bracket, I spotted another Twitter message. Again from Susan. “I’m standing in aisle. Wearing a purple sweater.” I looked around. The keynote had begun and everyone was seated. I checked the time stamp- the message had come four minutes earlier.

Following the keynote, after I gathered my things, I stood to take another look around for someone wearing a purple sweater in the sea of teachers leaving the church. That’s when I made eye contact with Susan. We hugged. She told me the story of her morning, which she might blog about. Then we hugged again.

Slicers Unite.