Growth during a pandemic!

Just like that my last webinar for this scholastic year is over! Looking back at it all it is heart warming knowing that after such an unpredictable year, something positive truly happened in my professional development. My networking and social skills had improved immensely during a year where we all went into lockdowns, tension and above all uncertainty. Who would have ever predicted that this pandemic could also be a positive one for some? Here are a few of my many attributes and contributions during webinars, seminars, events, interviews and more...starting from the latest events to the earlier ones. I swear these are only a few because there were too many to keep track of!

Professional Development Ambassadors Conference from 4th-6th December 2020:

What was suppose to be a PDW workshop at the Hauge in March, ended up becoming a virtual one in December. So thankful for being part of this with you dearest Mel Anie. It was a great conference but an even rewarding moment to co-present with you in today's workshop about inclusion in the eTwinning classroom. Thanks to eTwinning Malta especially our NSS Rose-anne Camilleri who trusted us with this conference especially this workshop.

As for 2020 , this is my last webinar (so far) and although you might have closed some doors due to the pandemic , you managed to open a whole new ones too. With so much virtual space, I managed to grow and learn as I go, but more so I managed to network and collaborate with individuals that I would have never thought I could. Opening doors when the whole world was on shutdown, gave me alot more busy days. Work was non stop and I am thankful for everything and mostly thankful for the people who believed (and still do) in me.

Empowering Future Teachers with eTwinning conference from 24th -26th November 2020:

What an inspirational conference it was! I had the honor to work side by side with two inspirational women , who for me, are not just incredible because we shared this conference together, but simply because they are passionate about their line of work! So much so, that they are ready to go over and above to motivate educators like myself.

The eTwinning Online Conference titled "Empowering Future Teachers with eTwinning" came to an end but we are looking forward to the next step of this opportunity. Dr. Rose-anne Camilleri (NSS of eTwinning Malta) trusted me with this experience to present my expertise along side with one of my many Early Years Childhood educators Idols. Dr. Charmaine Bonello (resident lecturer at UOM and vice president of Early Childhood Development Association of Malta) has always talked about the importance of how Early years should be taken seriously and how important it is to act NOW before it is too late.

Together we were able to present our audience with an opportunity to look back at early years theory from the early 20th century and disseminate practical examples of how the present Emergent Curriculum is merging beautifully with eTwinning and the pedagogy that comes along with it. It gave our audience a taste of what the future can hold simply by looking at the past.

A memorable day like this day is of satisfaction because it is a reassuring moment in life when you self evaluate everything you go through. I can now look at Maslow's hierarchy of needs and I can pin point where I stand in life. I can do this with ease, thanks to everyone around me who believe in me and support me through it all.

eTwinning Mediterranean online seminar on 21st November 2020:

The girl who usually wears casual clothes from Monday to Friday is wearing a shirt on a Saturday! Excited to have been part of this year's eTwinning Mediterranean online seminar. Looking forward to network and share some of my tips, however very excited for a new fun filled adventure . If you are wondering... YES the playroom is also my office and somewhat I feel comfortable in it because it reminds me to stay grounded!

S.T.E.A.M in the Early Years hosted by Early Childhood Development Association of Malta on 19th November 2020.

Thank you Early Childhood Development Association of Malta for having me in during this online meeting. And thanks to all the members for participating and being active too . Special thanks also to San Ġorġ Preca College Ħamrun SS Primary and eTwinning Malta for helping me grow. During this event, I shared the way S.T.E.A.M is broken down in the Early Years sector and why practitioners and students can benefit from this.

What started as a school Action Plan, was turned into an eTwinning project which later on turned into another way how I teach in my class so that my students can benefit from more than one approach to ensure sufficient learning occurs.

Celebration of the eTwinning School Label 2020-2021 held on 1st July 2020

So in this celebration I was joined by the very beautiful Ms.Nadette Camilleri Pavia from our school and together we were able to present a snip it of how eTwinning has been beneficial for our school community. Two totally different age groups managed to work very hard and together we were able to celebrate this event as one. Now our school is officially part of the eTwinning school community.

Sharing of Practice: S.T.E.A.M-tastic project 18-06-2020

This event was the launch of our ebook. An online project which got several interested individuals ask for more about our tactics, ideas, activities and above all the hard working collaborations. During this event we disseminated our project and moved on to progress into bigger things! Here is a snip it of me setting up the online event page prior to anyone's attendance. (a.k.a the behind the scenes moments)

eTwinning Malta Webinars: The Twinspace

Kick starting my online webinars back in April, who knew how far these online sessions would take me? This is the point when I started to believe in myself a bit more in relation to online and virtual activities! Although I had previous participation, these webinars were the start of when I started feeling confident in presenting on a larger scale. This is the moment and the actually opportunity in which gave me the confidence to persevere and challenge myself by taking the plunge. Do I regret it? Not one bit!

Check out below the actual fun of it all!

Sharing of Good Practice - KGE'sSan Gorg Preca College on 9th June 2020

So happy to have been present in this webinar! It was so fruitful for me to see what other ideas I can adapt in my virtual classroom whilst also sharing what we are doing in ours. I strongly recommend more kges to come forward and share what they do because it is amazing how much we can learn from each other. Every time I join in such webinars I feel proud of how far kindergarten have come and I know that I can learn from so many more awesome kges. We are all in this together and other great ideas need to be heard. Can't wait for the next ones!

Looking forward in attending more similar webinars. Let's learn from one another. It is the best resource we have to grow.

Online Teaching & Learning - Sharing Experience 13th May 2020 hosted by The Digital Education in Malta team

Professional Development @ it's best! Have you been attending any webinars while at home? I have attended quite a few. Some of which I presented in while others I was a participant. From eTwinning, Early Years, Special Needs, ICT web2tools, sharing of practices etc. The Digital Education in Malta hosts several interesting webinars for all grades and they are infused with knowledge, information and above all practical for virtual education.

Such opportunities should be considered especially when you as an educator have the opportunity to choose whichever one you wish to attend too. There are ample ideas, strategies, web2tools, reflective methods, guidance and support. Such online presentations makes me feel less overwhelming because I realise that I'm not alone in all this tipsy turvy situation.

NB Credits to Mr. Keith Aquilina for hosting the webinar below which was very fruitful for whoever attended.

Early Childhood Development Association of Malta: Sharing of Practice held on 14th May

As an Early Years educator it was so beautiful to see that alot of educators have the students best interests at heart . Several are trying hard to still be part of the students lives even from afar. It is heart warming to see such good practices and also learn that you are not alone in all of this awkward situation.

Sharing same concerns, ideas, perspectives, practices, pride and above all the love we have for our students was amazing. Constant positive feedback infused the chats with empowerment, inspiring and above all empathy and understanding towards each other.

Well done to everyone especially the committee of Early Childhood Development Association of Malta who have built such a great platform for not only professional development but also as a community where no one is judgmental but constructive and encouraging towards other fellow educational institutions & stakeholders.

eTwining school label conference held on April 4th, 2020

Here I am, sitting down on a Saturday morning, ready to represent my school during my first ever online conference. I was not a co-presenter but just an attendee. I was a participant of an active community and I realized how this indoor scenario can somewhat still work in terms of my own professional development. looking back at it all now I realize how much I have grown during the lockdown and how my inner strength pushed through to keep me motivated and so positive through it all.

Believe me there were so many more countless events that I took part in that it would have been impossible for me to mention all through. That is why I suggest to keep following me on my Facebook page and site to keep up with this extremely busy (but very happy person).

What is next? A few projects in the pipeline and some mega more interesting work . Looking forward to what the next 2021 would look like, in terms of virtual work and above all new growth.