If you were to glance at my bookshelf, one thing may stand out to you. On the spines of almost every book on my shelf you will find that the majority of the titles are published by one organization, ASCD.

This would not have been the case a few years ago. Sure, I had a handful of Understanding by Design books, but most of my books were not ASCD titles. Today, there is a definite trend happening on my shelf and it’s all because of my exposure to and participation in ASCD.

Tomorrow I fly out to California for ASCD’s Empower Conference. Last year my conference experience was all about connecting with educational rock stars that have influenced my practice: Jay McTighe, Pete Hall, Todd Whitaker, Carol Ann Tomlinson.

This year will be all about connecting with the educational rock stars that are part of the ASCD Emerging Leader cohort. In other words, the future educational rock stars of young educators and those not even in education one day. The future authors of the books on my shelf from ASCD.

My Emerging Leader cohort = my new Eduheros!

I am honored and humbled to be part of such an amazing group of professionals, professionals that are dedicated to students, learning, and teaching.

Here’s to growing as a community of learners!