Having just got back from the awesome SHAPE America National Convention, it’s time to reflect on the hours spent in outstanding sessions, reconnecting with educators, experiencing a vibrant city, and soaking in a couple of impactful keynotes. There’s something about Kansas City – the energy, the conversations, the BBQ-fueled networking – that made this one feel especially memorable.
When I return from conferences I want to do ALL OF THE THINGS – make lesson plans, post about my experiences, hug my family, and unpack my suitcase (eventually). That said, while your heart, and your cup, is full, there ARE steps we can take to make sure we keep our fire burning until the end of the school year and beyond.
Here’s my list of 5 things to do to keep the fire burning:
1. Get Some Rest
If you maximized your time in Kansas City, you’re likely physically and mentally exhausted. Early sessions, late night socials, hallway conversations…you probably burnt the candle at both ends. My advice? Prioritize recovery. Reset your sleep, get back to some healthy routines, and move your body. Conferences are amazing, but they’re also a lot. If you don’t recover from the excesses, you’re no good to anyone, especially your students. I’ve got one more week of teaching and then I’m on Spring Break. I plan on cooking some nutritious food this week, and getting back to my workout routine.
2. Provide Feedback
While the conference is still fresh, take a few minutes to share feedback with SHAPE America. What worked? What could be better as we look ahead to the 2027 SHAPE America National Convention in Charlotte?
Also, reach out to presenters who made an impact on you. A quick message of thanks goes a long way. It strengthens connections and often opens the door for future collaboration. And don’t forget to thank whoever made it possible for you to attend. Funding and support are never guaranteed – and this is a great time to show appreciation and start planting seeds for next year.
3. Follow Up With Those You Met
The people make this conference what it is. There’s nothing quite like finally meeting someone in person that you’ve only ever interacted with online. Those moments matter.
If you connected with someone – follow up. Send a message. Continue the conversation. Whether it’s a presenter, a first-time attendee, or someone you bumped into between sessions, these are the relationships that shape your PLN.
Did you grab a business card? Follow someone new? Chat with a vendor about something that could benefit your program? Now is the time to reconnect while it’s still fresh. I’ve already tracked down a few presenters on LinkedIn and am planning future collaboration opportunities.
4. Reflect
We talk a lot about reflection with our students and this is our turn.
Take time this week to go through your notes, revisit session resources, and think about what actually stuck. Not everything needs to be implemented right away (or ever), but something should be.
Ask yourself: What’s one thing I’m going to try?
That question always grounds me. It stops the overwhelm and turns inspiration into action. Maybe it’s a small tweak to a lesson. Maybe it’s a bigger shift in how you approach inclusion, assessment, or student voice. Maybe it’s just a conversation you want to start in your department.
Whatever it is, name it. Inspired by a session from Drew Miller and Dr. Rachael Gibson, I plan on expanding my lesson on the Social Determinants of Health.
5. Pass On Your Learning
Not everyone gets to attend a national conference. If you did, you carry a bit of responsibility with you.
Share what you learned. Keep it simple—maybe a quick rundown at a department meeting, a shared doc, or even inviting colleagues into your space to try something new. These small moments of sharing can have a big ripple effect.
And who knows? The colleague you inspire this year might be the one bringing ideas back to you next year.
So what next?
We’ve got a few months left in the school year. For many, it’s the toughest stretch. But hopefully, the energy from Kansas City gives you that second wind.
For me, the real magic often happens later, when summer rolls around and there’s space to think, plan, and reimagine. The ideas are already bubbling: new ways to start the semester, better ways to serve students, and a growing list of books I definitely plan to read.
What were your best moments from #SHAPEKC? I’d love to hear what resonated with you.
And as always…if this experience sparked something in you – an idea, a passion, a voice – maybe it’s time to think about sharing it. #SHAPECharlotte is on the horizon, and the call for proposals will be here before you know it.
Good luck for the rest of the semester, and I hope to see you in Charlotte, North Caroline next year.
Why not keep your fire burning by writing a bite-sized blog post for the 7th annual slowchathealth microblog event? A microblog is an engaging and concise blog post of around 500 words (although longer posts are acceptable). The joy of the word limit is that a microblog post can be a collection of thoughts or sharing an idea that has worked with students. Sometimes the thought of writing a longer blog post can be daunting, but there is often creativity in constraint. Constraints provide focus and a creative challenge that motivates people, which is evident in the number of submissions from first-time bloggers.
#slowchathealth 