The Astrobrights Summit: Behind the Scenes!

 A little over a year ago, I became personally acquainted with the Astrobrights team in real life.  I had no idea of the dynamic impact this company would have in my life.  You can read about my Astrobrights story here if you missed it before. 

After winning the Colorize Your Classroom Grand Prize in October, I was contacted by Astrobrights Papers
to become a member of the Astro Bright Minds team.

Just a week ago, the Astro Bright Minds team met in Atlanta for a 3-Day Summit.  I was excited about the trip, because for a year leading up to this moment all of my emails, phone conferences, and packages with the A Team had been very positive experiences.

Repeatedly, Astrobrights has shown that they are truly concerned with what challenges and triumphs teachers face both from a design perspective as well as curriculum, demands, and everyday life.  Besides being brilliant, supportive, and encouraging, this team is also 100% passionate about making teachers’ lives better through a kaleidoscope of exciting products!

 There were colorful surprises with personal and thoughty notes left in my room at Hotel Indigo each day.  It was evident every single moment we were there that this was a partnership where were were honored and appreciated.

We began our day with a breakfast at a gorgeous hipster venue in ATL and met more of the Astrobrights team as well as another fabulous blogger, Joni, from Lay Baby Lay.

During breakfast, we learned a little bit more about
Astrobrights and their parent company, Neenah Paper.  The
Astrobrights team had questions about our lives and struggles
as educators. It was evident that they want to make our jobs easier and it was refreshing to
hear so much sincere appreciation for the teaching community.

Next, we had a creativity session with Joni, where we got to get our hands on our favorite paper!  Geek out day for sure!  We started by making beautiful color wheels displayed on gorgeous stardust paper using dowels as our display easels.  What an inexpensive and creative way to display work for our students!

 After another noteworthy lunch (sans pictures because my hands were full of the best tuna sandwich in the south) we headed to the Georgia Aquarium where we got a VIP behind the scenes aquarium tour, a penguin encounter, and some time to just have fun enjoying the awe-inspiring facility. 

After our time at the aquarium, we rested and then headed out to another terrific meal with the team!  We had southern cuisine at JCT where we inhaled truffle oil fries and chicken gnocchi. 

The last day was unforgettable.  We spent the day at Lionstar Films. When we walked in to see this, I had an internal explosion in my heart and head.

Seeing these work spaces with these 6 letters, which spell my absolute passion,  I couldn’t speak…my head was spinning.  How did I end up here?  Amidst a brilliant team of witty, trending, and savvy colleagues by my side where I am being told to push myself in this area of creativity that I live for.   This inspirational moment that I had internally was just first of a few in this day that would change my blog lovin’ teacher heart.

We had a PD session with the Astrobrights team.  It was the most invigorating session of how our blogs look from a branding perspective with all kinds of insights that I am still reflecting on daily.  Of course the experts were so helpful and insightful, but I also loved hearing from Marsha and Maria too.  It’s so great to have your peers in a situation like this!
 

 I am thrilled to be a part of this year’s Colorize Your Classroom Campaign! Be sure you are following Astrobrights on facebook and check in with us on August 24th!