Vegas for teachers

I've been in Vegas for the past few days at the annual conference of the nonprofit charter school system I work for. I actually really like Vegas. I find it a remarkably genuine place, as weird as this may sound. It is absolutely itself at all times, unapologetic in its over-the-topness, something few places can claim. I wouldn't want to live permanently in such an uncomplicated environment, but its fun to drop in every now and then.

Holding a teacher conference in Las Vegas, however, is an interesting proposition. First of all, the wholesome vibe of education stands in stark contrast to the aforementioned excess: neon glitz, beeping slots, flashy showgirls. It is not uncommon, but definitely startling, for earnest conversations about reading comprehension strategies or math manipulatives to be interrupted by an impromptu bar show featuring a woman in a black negligee singing off-key karaoke to "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood. Things like that just happen in Vegas. Kind of all the time.

Then there are the other people in Vegas. The not-teachers, who take a look at a bevy of 20-somethings in miniskirts and spiky heels (this describes many of the conference goers after hours) and say, "They are... teachers?!" Half wistfully, half scadalized, as if young people who ordinarily work 75-hour weeks wouldn't naturally want to blow off some steam at the hotel's rooftop dance club. I suppose it's worse for clergy here, but only just.

Then there's the unique--and positive!--effect of the Vegas habitat, which heightens the manic energy and creative impact of any large group (2,700 in the case of this conference) that gathers for a common purpose. Hotels here are built around casinos that are carefully designed to suck people in and keep them there. The air is oxygen rich and cool; there are hardly any windows; lights blink, wink and flash in alluring, brain-pleasing patterns. This helps draw gamblers to the tables and prevent them from getting tired, but it has a simialr effect on teachers who don't have time to gamble, but really could use the extra oxygen and sparkly-cave-like atmosphere to generate ideas and stay up late into the night talking and thinking about them.

I'm sure no one has ever done a study, but I wonder if conferences that involve higher-level thinking held in Vegas are more productive than conferences elsewhere. I'm not the betting type, but in the spirit of this place, I'd put my chips on 'yes.'