#LAX18: A Life Event, Part 2
Day 1
A time when there was truly an incredible amount of greatness between the lines…
Nerves were high walking from the Air BnB towards the Google Venice offices for day 1 of the Google Innovator Academy. As a self-proclaimed “recovering introvert” and “champion worrier” nerves were running high but so too was excitement. I had finally made it to the academy, to something I’d dreamed of for years, and now it was finally here. Thanks to a Hangout and a Hangouts Chat group created soon after acceptance, I felt I knew many of my fellow #LAX18 innovators already. We even got to tour the YouTube Space!
Everyone was smiles and filled with anticipation of greatness. Vital items of importance were covered early on such as where we’d get food and drinks, the closest bathroom, and how to connect to WiFi. We also were introduced to those that made the academy possible and the coaches that would help guide us throughout the academy and beyond. There was a trip through the design process that saw the Black Panther Chair and Water-Ass-Chair nearly come to life with impassioned pitches with vivid descriptions. Just prior there was one of the most powerful experiences I’ve ever had through a get-to-know-you activity.
Prior to the academy, all members prepared a Breakout EDU clue to help their eventual teammates reach the inside of the box and the object inside representing something that helped us become the teacher we are today. Every member of the Slither.io team shared a heartfelt story full emotion that truly helped everyone build connections. Tears were shed and applause was meaningful as bonds strengthened alongside friendships.
As we headed off to dinner after our complete design process experience the day still seemed unreal. I wondered if I were dreaming, and, if I was, I only hoped it would last a good while longer. I reflected as I ate with my team about all the events of the day and of gaining a range of new moonwalk buddies (high five, fist bump, secret handshake, and booty bump). With my team deciding on the name Nacho Moma, I was still unsure if I was dreaming, but I sure was enjoying it either way…
“Fall in love with the problem, not the solution.”
Day 2
This day started with similar feelings to Monday, but nerves were much less and anticipation to see friends again alongside learning pieces of the puzzle that we’d need to make our projects eventually become reality. Entering the day we were greeting with opening remarks and inspiration both from Google and EdTech Team (those at the academy were all fellow Innovators). Mark Wagner, PhD. (@markwagner) gave the first Spark, “More Now,” of numerous we’d see over the next day and a half. I came to see these Sparks as amazing mini Keynotes that energized and invigorated the room. Each left me thinking and inspired to jump into the next design
process Sprint with our possible project ideas.
The Sparks of day 2 included Ari Flemming (@EdTechAri) with Don’t Foster the Imposter, David Chan (@chanatown) with Change Big, and Micah Shippee, PhD. (@micahshippee) with Make all your problems go away with VR and AR (Leerrrooyyy Jeennkkinnss!!). Each one impacted the audience and one very close to home for me. Don’t Foster the Imposter truly made me stop and think more than once throughout the heartfelt presentation. This condition is defined here… “Imposter Syndrome: a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success.” A quick “have you ever thought this” quiz was given to the audience and I knew this was a quiz I was getting a high score on, though I didn’t want one. Five types were described along with three ways to combat them. Though I may at times fall victim to thinking that I may not belong, this presentation helped me to recognize Imposter Syndrome and put into practice measures to lessen its impact. Professional learning networks are a huge part of this both in-person and online. Take a moment to think of those around you that can and do support to every say.
Pause as you read, reach out to them, and thank them for the support while offering yours in return.
After a day filled with Sparks and Sprints, the day ended by learning from and with our amazing fellow #LAX18 innovators in a mini Spark Camp. What a great idea from out organizers and a phenomenal opportunity to learn from our peers. There was a variety of sessions to say the least… Innovator Nails (Lisa Ceja), Scarf Juggling (Ryan Clark), Visual Data (Susana Somers), Course Kit (Marta McAlister), Color Stories (Sadie Lewis), Building Culture (Abby Almerido), Google Apps Script (Adam Geisen), Intentional Sound (Jonathan Almerido), Let’s Play a Game (Ben Cogswell), Breakdancing (Eduardo Rivera), Soundtrap (Jon Spike), Coffeeology (Melissa King), Aquaponics (Kelly Orvick), Sketching & Cardboard (Manuel Herrera), Ball is Life (Janet Gutierrez). I went deep in Visual Data, took the challenge to Play a Game, and pushed my comfort zone to beatbox with Soundtrap. With what felt like 3 days of content wedged nicely into one day I felt overwhelmed & anxious… I felt excited & empowered, but most importantly, I felt like part of a team. Follow these and the rest of the amazing members of #LAX18!
The team enjoyed yet another amazing meal at Google (all breakfasts, lunches, & dinners had many choices, were fresh, and delicious) for dinner alongside a magician, caricature artists, live music, games, and friendship. A perfect end to day two… a great continuation of the dream.
“You are an architect of the possible.”
Day 3
The third and final day of the academy left any feelings of anxiety or nerves behind, replaced fully with excitement, belief in belonging, & the happiness that comes with getting to see good friends again. The day followed the general outline of day 2 with Sparks and Sprints marked by a great opening Spark by YouTube’s Global Head of Family and Learning, Mail Ducard. Check out the powerful #YouTubeTaughtMe video he shared as part of his message of video inspiring and empowering learners (students and teachers alike). Other Sparks include Jornea Erwin (@Savvy_Educator) with Unlocking Resilience, team Nacho Moma’s coach Michael Kosko (@MrKosko) with Crowdsourcing, and Katie Siemer (@Katie_M_Ritter) with Relationships.
We were lucky enough to have not one, but two (Derek Doucet, @DerekDoucet1 & Quinn Henderson, @qhenderson), past Google Innovators live stream into day three to talk with us about their process, where their projects were at, and where they’re going. What a powerful thing it is to meet two people that were exactly where you are, see their process, and see what has come to reality.
Throughout the day we again “sprinted” through the design process with our expert guide Les McBeth (@lesmcbeth). Though often uncomfortable, the constraints of time and no technology throughout much of the design process work was enlightening. No one cared that my drawing skills weren’t top notch, perfection was the goal, mistakes were points of amazing feedback, time was a motivator, and disconnecting proved to empower. The process had come full circle from the beginning stages of empathizing and defining to launching and evaluating. We took ten minutes to prep before delivering our elevator pitches with instant feedback from our peers.
Then it was on to setting objectives and key results for our projects, learning of ways to work with Google, the global community options to connect with other Google Innovators, how we would choose mentors, what our timelines looked like, and even meeting more past Innovators in person! What a ride this had been! Had we really work through over 700 slides?! But we weren’t quite finished yet…
With our coaches dawning neon leopard print robes, the time for graduation was near. We organized by team and prepped for our walk across the stage while the ceremony was streamed via YouTube Live! My father was actually one of the first to comment in the stream under the video (kudos Dad for jumping into something new!). With sincere pride and happiness, we applauded each member of every team, our friends, as they crossed the stage.
Patrick B. Hausammann, M.S. Ed.
Believer in the power of learners to change the world. Co-Founder of #EdcampNSV and Certified Google Innovator (#GoogleEI, #LAX18), Trainer (#GoogleET), Administrator, & Educator Levels 1 & 2.
Website: www.epedtech.com
Twitter: @PHausTech