

Are you going to the I Teach K conference in July (2015)? Well, I’ve got a few tips for you! I wrote this post before going my second time. I’ve updated it (2016) with a few more things than I had before.

Take lots of pictures. Of everything. I don’t mean outside where you’re sightseeing. You should take tons of pictures inside your I Teach K sessions. The reason? When you leave, you are going to forget what all those great ideas were that you wanted to implement. If you take a picture of the slides, then you’ll be able to say, “Oh yeah! That’s a great idea.” When you get back home, you’ll have the picture to refer back to. Most of the presenters bring their charts, games, tons of examples, and so much more, and they have it out for you to look at before the session begins or when it’s over. Take pictures of it all. Just be sure you’re allowed to take pictures of the slides. The presenter will let you know. 🙂

If you have a small camera that takes great pictures, then bring that. If your smartphone does a great job, then bring that. Here’s a tip if you plan to use your phone. Bring a charger. The first year, I had my Mac. I could just charge it using that. However, that thing isn’t too light after a while. My phone did not last through every single session. I had to charge it during one of the sessions, even though it charged the entire night! That should show you how many pictures I was taking. To prevent this ever happening again, I bought this little goodie from Amazon for $12.99. It’s a portable charger. All you have to do is plug in your USB charger and boom! You have a charger wherever you go. It’s so tiny that it won’t be in the way at all.










Who loves GoNoodle?! I do! GoNoodle will have a booth in the exhibition hall! I’ll be hanging out with GoNoodle one day that week. You should totally come and have a dance party with us. You might win some goodies. You also can thank the amazing people over GoNoodle. They will be there with tons of swag.

I changed my lanyard to a GoNoodle one after I visited them! I had to represent my love for them the rest of the week.






Even though you will be there with tons of stuff to do, take time every single day to just enjoy that you are in Vegas. I stayed up probably to 2:00 or 3:00 every single night there and got my tail up to be in my session by 8:00. TOTALLY WORTH IT! I plan to do that all over again in a few weeks. Live life to the fullest! I plan to do just that in Vegas.

Blog Hoppin’ had a really fun scavenger hunt that kept me entertained, as well. I have read that so many people are going solo. Step outside your comfort zone and join in on all the social media fun that will be taking place. You will be able to find places to go, people that are going to eat, and other things. If you’re not in a Vegas Facebook group, you should be! There are so many teachers that you could spend time with. If you’re going with friends, then meet some more teachers and have a huge hangout session all week.





Kim Adsit was amazing. I would go back to her again this year if I hadn’t already gone to three of her sessions last year. Our keynote was Marc Brown. He was hilarious!
And as a fun little note, here’s what I’m packing. I’ve also provided you with a little checklist to remind you! Just print, write in, and check off! If you’re going to be at I Teach K and you see me, come take a picture!
Clothes and Shoes

- Flats (there will be a ton of walking)
- Cute and comfortable sandals
- Flip flops (can’t go anywhere without my flip flops)
- 2 pairs of wedges (for meet-ups in the evening)
- 4 comfy dresses for dinner (I am going to an Educents dinner, a teacher/blogger meet-up, a pool party/secondary meet-up, and the Primary Pack’s meet-up on Friday night)
- Maxi dresses for the conferences
- 2 pairs of shorts or capris
- 2 lightweight tops
- Jacket for the conference
- Plane attire (as bummish as possible because that’s when I’m the most comfy…hehehe. This will be lounge pants and a cute top possibly.)
- Underwear
- Pajamas
- Socks in case my hotel is freezing
- Swimsuit – doubt I’ll get in a pool, but I need to be prepared
- Swim cover-up
Toiletries and Necessities
- Flight itinerary
- License/ID
- Hotel information
- Money and debit cards
- Books for plane
- Blanket for plane
- Laptop
- Headphones
- Phone charger and phone
- Wristlet
- Jewelry
- Make-up bag (plus comb/brush)
- Toiletries bag (toothpaste, soap, body wash, loofah, face wash, perfume/body spray, lotion, deodorant, razor, shaving cream, sunscreen, tampons, hair products)
- Medicine (I get really bad migraines, so I have to be prepared)
- Sunglasses
- Snacks for the room, conference, and plane ride
- Notebook for note-taking
- Camera
- Pre-printed labels for the vendors
- Notes notebook or binder
- Pens
- Materials needed for sessions (if you signed up for Make and Takes, it tells you what you need)
Girl, you are ready to go!!! I can't wait to see you again!!!!!!!
I might be a little too excited! And yes! Can't wait to see you again. It's been TOO long.
I am going for the first time this year. Thanks for the checklist!!
You are so welcome! Have fun while you're there!
THANK YOU FOR THIS! Everyone has been posting how to ready for the TPT conference (that I'm not going to), and you are the first I've seen that posted about the SDE Conference! I'm so excited I don't know what I'm going to do with myself while I'm there. I'll probably be star struck meeting all you amazing celebriteachers! Hopefully I'll see you there! Selfie time! 🙂
YES!!!! You will definitely have to remind me and find me! I would love to meet you and get a picture in.
I am going to the SDE conference next month! I am so excited. This will be my first time to attend this conference. Your tips were so helpful. Thank you!
You are so welcome!
Hi friend! I live here in Las Vegas and was hoping we could meet up one day or evening. Let me know if you are interested! lovinourchaos@yahoo.com
Silly question….I get there pretty early on Tuesday, but I'm registered for Wednes. and Thurs. Do you think they will let me into the exhibition hall on Tuesday? I hope so! Thanks again! Everything is in tip-top shape and in order because of your post.
Also, do you really think I need my laptop? Would my iPad suffice?
Erica
Miss V's Kinder Kraziness
Your iPad should be perfect and less of a hassle to have. I don't really remember getting on mine all that much other than maybe plugging my phone in it during the conference lol. And as far as I know, anyone is allowed in the exhibition hall, registered or not. I did read somewhere that some people only go to go in the exhibition hall. 😉
Thanks so much for this post. I will be going to I teach 1st this year and its my first time going to a big conference like this. I'm sooo excited and just printed that packing list! Thanks again, hope to see you there!
This is SO great! I have been stressing over what to pack!
I am so excited though – this is my first year!
Hope I get to meet you!
Bec 🙂
Keri, I can't believe I am just reading this! You are too cute and too kind! Vannessa and I are saving our pennies and we are going no matter what! Something to look forward too!!!!
– Claudia, The Humming Bird Teacher 🙂
– Claudia, The Humming Bird Teacher 🙂
Keri, I can't believe I am just reading this! You are too cute and too kind! Vannessa and I are saving our pennies and we are going no matter what! Something to look forward too!!!!
I was there with Marc Brown too. Wish I was going this year. I would add business cards. It's nice to exchange info.
I was there with Marc Brown too. Wish I was going this year. I would add business cards. It's nice to exchange info.
I'm SOOOO looking for Keri from enchantedkindergarden! Thanks for all of the reminders! I'm so excited and it is still over 2 weeks away!
Awww yay! Hope to meet you there!
Thanks for all the info!! It's my first time to SDE and I was going to go with a friend, but now I'm going solo… This has been a great help!