The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

So I'm thinking...as I sit in the Central Office of my school district (where my Teacher of the Year office is located) that I wish every day in a school could feel like this time of year. Right now there are five cars in the parking lot, and everyone who's here is kind of laid back, chatting with each other. No phones are ringing, and even email seems like snail mail. It makes me think of the last week before winter break in our schools. There is still the sense of urgency, during this time of year, to ensure that students are meeting goals and learning, but there isn't such a sense of PANIC. Somehow we know we have a break coming up, and everyone seems to breathe a little easier and relax. If only schools could be like that every day!

I started this past week (Sunday) working at the Community Literacy Center at my school. We had ten people this time! The adults worked with my colleague Jenny on reading one of my favorite books, Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. I spent time with some of our Hispanic students working on vocabulary and doing some diagnostic testing. Of course, as always, we ended the day with pizza and with everyone saying, "No mas!" We were full of food and fellowship!

On Monday, I worked with the National Board Certification candidates at my school, and I'm excited that they are progressing so well. They have begun videotaping lessons, and are working hard on their writing. It's exciting to watch these teachers growing professionally throughout this process.

On Tuesday, we held our Education Policy Fellowship Program Christmas gathering and had a "White Elephant" gift exchange. Let me just say that some folks were merciless in their gift stealing and trading, but we had a blast! Then...Wednesday was such a treat for me! I was able to return to my students and my school and help chaperone a trip to the NC Shakespeare Festival's production of A Christmas Carol. That message is timeless, and the eighth graders enjoyed it so much. Of course, lunch at the food court didn't hurt either. That night I attended my school's Christmas Dinner, and I was really happy to see all of my colleagues/friends again. I miss them so much and know that without them, I wouldn't have this amazing opportunity to represent them as North Carolina's Teacher of the Year.

After so much fun, I'm ready to settle down for a long winter's nap...well, after I finish shopping and baking and wrapping and decorating.

Happy Holidays, everyone! Enjoy your well-deserved break, and we'll meet again next year!

Desert Learning

Yes, that says "desert" and not "dessert" although someone just came by to announce doughnuts are available in the break room! (Maybe after this post is done...)

So, yes, I just returned from the Arizona desert where I attended the Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) Conference entitled "Leadership in Thought and Action." I flew out on Sunday, a five hour flight wedged between two total strangers, but it was worth it. The EPFP Conference was packed with thought provoking discussions about education policy and leadership. We began the week talking about the "Map of Future Forces," the KnowledgeWorks Foundation's contribution to thinking of education in the future in engaging and constructive ways. I have worked with the map before; as a member of the Center for Teaching Quality's Teacher Leaders Network, I am a member of a team of teachers looking at teaching in the future. We actually began our journey by studying the map and presenting to each other on the six "Drivers of Change." It was enriching to hear other perspectives on the map and on teaching in the future.

The three conference days were embedded with learning about "Exploring the Future," "Thinking Strategically across Systems," and "Connecting the Dots." We listened to compelling speakers, discussed with each other, and even participated in a simulation called "Earth II." We had to choose a hypothetical "leader" to move a representative group of us to another planet! A highlight of the trip was meeting and getting to know Jenna Hallman, the South Carolina Teacher of the Year. Jenna and I will be together again next month in Dallas for the National Teacher of the Year Conference. I was so excited to meet Jenna ahead of time so I'll have a friend there. And, of course you know, Carolina girls...the best in the world! (If you aren't from around here...that's a song!)

We on the Teacher of the Year team are aware of what's going on this time of year. Only last year we were waiting to hear the results of Regional Teacher of the Year selections. Well, it's that time again, and two new regional TOYs have been selected in North Carolina. On Monday, Matthew Bristow-Smith was named the North Central Region Teacher of the Year. He represents Edgecome County Schools. Today I had the honor of being present when my successor, the Piedmont/Triad Central Regional Teacher of the Year, was announced at Northwood High School in Chatham County. Phillip Little is the new regional TOY for my region, and this is quite a week for him. He's getting married tomorrow! I was happy to stand on the stage with Mr. Little's family as he accepted this amazing honor. And the best is yet to come...

North Carolina teachers, enjoy your last week before break! I'll be with my students for two days next week, and I can't wait! There's nothing like being around children at Christmas!

Countdown!

Have you ever seen folks as eager for the holidays as teachers? I've heard it about seventeen times today: "Ten more days!!!"

As things wind down in the schools, the speaking engagements have tapered off for the Teacher of the Year, but that gives me some time to catch up on some things I've pushed aside for the past seven months - like finally getting moved into my office (my husband really wants those boxes out of the garage!)

This week I started with yet another interesting night at the Education Policy Fellowship Program. Dr. Robin Dorff, currently with the War College in Maryland, serves as the Executive Director at the Institute of Political Leadership. He spoke to us about being strategic leaders, and we hung on every word! We're all excited about our upcoming trip to the national EPFP Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. Fellows from sixteen other states will join us as we leave our loved ones here in the cold on Sunday to fly to the 70 degree desert! We have a packed agenda for three days of learning and fun...

This was a State Board of Education week in NC, and among other things, we discussed the opportunity principals and assistant principals will soon have to participate in the National Board Certification process. As an NBCT myself, I'm aware of the tremendous growth potential when working toward a goal like that. So I'm excited about the opportunity for administrators.

This week I spoke before the Education Oversight Committee of the North Carolina State Legislature. I have to say that I was a little nervous. I was speaking in support of our new Teacher Evaluation Process in North Carolina, and I was eager to talk about the positive changes that are being made. Something about that big room, and those important people who make our laws sitting there listening to me, was very exciting! I hope I represented NC teachers well.

Stay tuned for next week and a report from Arizona! Stay warm...