Rose Garden Ceremony - Yes, That's THE Rose Garden

I don't think there are words to describe such a surreal experience, but I'll try.

Today I was the last teacher on the bus headed for the White House because I spent some time emailing my colleagues at Gravelly Hill Middle School, and I was running a little late. I wanted to make sure, before the press release came out, to tell them that my friend and fellow finalist Tony Mullen would soon be named the 2009 National Teacher of the Year. I also wanted to thank them for their unwavering support this year as I have traveled the state on behalf of teachers. But, oops, the time got away from me...so I hustled out to the bus, and off we went!

Once we arrived, the security check began...actually, it started months ago when we sent in the names of our visitors along with our names and social security numbers...background checks, I guess. CIA clearance? Who knows?

Here I am, looking distressed...

At any rate, when they checked, my name wasn't on the list. I could feel the tears coming while I waited with two other teachers who were also missing from the list and the kind Teacher of the Year from Alaska, who was on the list, but who refused to enter without us. Magically, someone produced an updated list, and we were all allowed in.

By the way, two guests actually were not allowed in: the husband of Virginia Teacher of the Year Stephanie Doyle and the son-in-law of Missouri TOY Margaret Williams. Stephanie was seen pictured shaking the President's hand on many newspapers the next day, and I told her that kind of helped to make up for it, but not enough. I can't imagine how I would have felt if I had looked out over that crowd and seen no one familiar, no one there for me. As it was, my husband was an obnoxious photographer and can be seen on some publicity photos hovering over Michelle Obama's head.

There's David, fourth row, gray hair, camera in hand...just behind the First Lady and Jill Biden.

Since we had been detained, the rest of the group had made it to the Rose Garden, but our little group had to wait for a military escort. So we hung out in the Presidential library until our time to meet the others.

Next we lined up, in order of height (we had already practiced) and waited for the President to come out of a press conference - Senator Specter had just announced that he would be changing parties, so all of the press that had arrived for the TOY celebration had run inside to see what the President would say.

There I am on the right in the white suit.

Michelle Obama and Jill Biden were introduced first.

The President entered, saying "Hello, everybody!"

The President greeted the guests.

After the Rose Garden ceremony, I was interviewed by the sponsor of the National Teacher of the Year Program, ING.

The view from the Rose Garden - it was an amazing day!

Thank you, North Carolina, for giving me this unforgettable opportunity..

P.S. You can view the event here.

Teacher of the Year, Recognition Week!

I'm sure my life has never been as chaotic as last week as I prepared for my trip to Washington, D.C. I spoke in three different cities, all while trying to pack for the biggest events of my professional life and while attempting to complete, print, and mail a draft of my book entitled Finding Mrs. Warnecke.

Suffice it to say that I haven't cleaned my house in three weeks - can't wait to do that! So...I finally starting packing, and my husband could barely lift the suitcase. I took a pile of stuff out and put some things in the car (I was flying, but David would be driving up later...) Meanwhile I dropped my gown for the ball right in the driveway and just generally made a mess of things while trying to get out of town. Then I got to the airport and my luggage was still too heavy! But I whined and told the check-in attendant "But I'm going to meet the President!" and she let me go without charging me the $50 she had mentioned. Thanks!

In the terminal I bought UNC championship t-shirts for the President (he picked us to win on his brackets) and Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education and a former professional basketball player. Then I saw former UNC star Eric Montross come out of the gate I was headed in to. I felt like that was an omen of the famous people I would see in the days to come...

Once I arrived in D.C. on Sunday night, I was so excited to see the other State Teachers of the Year - we all met in January in Dallas and have communicated in the months since, all what I call "kindred spirits in education." My first fun event was to jump in a limousine and participate in a beautiful nighttime tour of Washington, D.C.

Here I am with Tony Mullen, the Teacher of the Year from Connecticut and the newly named National Teacher of the Year, and the State Teachers of the Year from Minnesota, Louisiana, Maine, Colorado, and California.


Here I am at the World War II Memorial - I'm proud of the veterans from North Carolina, including many of my uncles and my husband's uncle Riddick who died during the Battle of the Bulge.

Monday we boarded buses and headed for a day at the Smithsonian as we are now "Smithsonian Ambassadors." We met briefly at the Castle, the Smithsonian's first building, before breaking into groups and visiting different museums. My group spent a few hours in the Museum of National History, and although we were able to see exhibits like The Star Spangled Banner, Dorothy's Ruby Slippers, and an exhibit depicting the life of Abraham Lincoln (including his top hat), most of the time we were in the repository, digging through artifacts in an extremely secure area. We were all given a box from our own states, and we were able to look through diaries, postcards, and letters and feel connected to home.

The Castle

My Smithsonian Group

The Climate-controlled Area for Artifact Collections, including Duke Ellington's Sheet Music

Artifacts from North Carolina from the 30's to the 50's

I brought sixteen pairs of shoes to Washington, but none as famous as these!

The best was yet to come, though, as we hopped on the buses again and headed to Vice President Biden's residence. We were so excited while the security guards were checking our identification - I watched the dog sniffing for bombs under the bus in front of us and realized that this visit was a very big deal!

Dr. Jill Biden was our hostess, and she was so sweet and gracious. A teacher herself, Dr. Biden spoke to each State Teacher of the Year individually, smiling for pictures, and thanking each of us for what we do. Our visit to the Vice President's residence was definitely something I'll never forget!

The VP's Home

When I first met Jill Biden, I talked to her about being a reading teacher (she's one, too!) and about being a stepmother, another thing we have in common. I told her that I've always admired her for the way she helped raise those two boys after they tragically lost their mother and sister.

The Vice-Puppy is named Champ - a name the Vice President's father called him as a child.

Finally my travel weary husband showed up and we walked to Luigi's, an authentic Italian restaurant, to have dinner before our big day Tuesday. Stay tuned for my experiences as I meet the President, the Vice President, and the Secretary of Education. Not exactly my usual audience of seventh graders!

Mountain Girl?

My return trip to Hendersonville this week has made me question my usual choice of beach over mountains. As you may remember, I was in Henderson County in the fall, speaking at a National Board Certified Teachers' recognition. I returned to visit the neighboring town, Saluda, during the Principal of the Year site visits in February. But it was this third time heading west that inspired this poem:

Competition

Gazing with amusement
at a mountain scene,

being an ocean girl myself,

I challenged

the degree of beauty

I would find there.

But I looked

across that early spring range

and saw varied shades of green –

mint to forest to hunter –

and thought
those mountain leaves,

watercolor on parchment,

an autumn reversal

of leaf tone,

with clouds sitting

hilltop,

resting in the splendor,
the very portrayal of beauty,

I guess -

a challenge to those

flat-sand beaches

of the coast.

************************************

On this trip I developed a newly found affection for these hills of our state, no doubt thanks to the fine folks in Henderson County. I stayed in the Waverly Inn, a beautiful bed and breakfast inn, located in historic Hendersonville. I was impressed by the history of the building and even more impressed by the unending cake slices and homebaked cookies, not to mention the free flowing Coca-Cola machine (my favorite thing.)

After speaking to new teachers from the district at West Henderson High School, we all gathered in the school's cafeteria for a reception complete with cheesecake. It was there that I experienced a first. Moriah, an adorable little girl, asked me for my autograph!

Here I am with cutie-patootie Moriah, who said she wanted my autograph because "You're famous, and you know Hannah Montana!"

Later, a wonderful group of teacher leaders took me to dinner at Mezzaluna, and I enjoyed pizza and fellowship with teachers from the mountains of our state.

On Tuesday at EPFP, we celebrated our wonderful leader's birthday. Jo Ann Norris has been in education over 35 years, and she deserves more than a song and cake! We presented her with a picture of the group; however the photo was taken last week when everyone was in Washington for a conference that I couldn't attend. So I brought Jo Ann my Glamourshots picture (c. 1987). We all had a good laugh about that.

Here I am with Jo Ann and a picture of my 80's hair!

Wednesday I returned to Greensboro, this time to visit the MSA class at UNC-G. I spoke to them about developing teacher leaders in their schools and about what a teacher thinks makes a principal great. They were a wonderful, attentive group (they meet after school, well into the night) and I enjoyed my time there.

Next I traveled to Fayetteville State University to participate in the Excellence in Teaching Institute. Ruth Ann Parker, Southeast Regional Teacher of the Year, and I presented, together for the first time this year, to pre-service teachers. The Capel Arena held a class act of hospitality from the food to the student musical performers to the HUGE gift basket Ruth Ann and I were presented with. Thanks, Broncos!

Here I am with Ruth Ann earlier in the year at the NCCAT Gala!

Next week is one of the biggest weeks ever. I travel to Washington, D.C. for the naming of the National Teacher of the Year and HOPEFULLY we'll all get to meet the President, as former State TOYs have done.

Stay tuned to this blogsite - I'll be updating daily...

Winding Down the Year...

A personalized gift basket of thanks for National Board Certification work...

This week ended about the same time as the next one is about to start...but I'm not worried about being tired...because all too soon there will be a new North Carolina Teacher of the Year, and I'll be saying that this year went by too fast!

I started this past week at Gravelly Hill Middle School with a more relaxed National Board candidate-in-waiting. My friend Kelly had mailed her portfolio weeks ago, and we were beginning preparations for her assessment center exercises. But first, she presented me with a huge basket that held gift cards and gifts galore...all of my favorite things! Now you know why Kelly is one of my GHMS BFFs.

On Tuesday, I served on the selection committee for the next Orange County Schools Teacher of the Year. It was a wonderful day, but a difficult one as we selected two finalists for the 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year. Of course, the teachers are some of the best you'll find, and it was an honor to sit and listen to them talk about their teaching. The new OCS TOY won't be named until May...so more on that later.

On Wednesday, I served on another committee. I was part of a group of OCS teachers who participated in the Title II audits. I was so excited to hear all of us sharing positive stories about what's going on in our schools.

Thursday was a day to get prepared for the National Teacher of the Year announcement next week. There were clothes and essentials to gather, and it took me all day to do it. More on those events next week!

Denmark native Sofus Simenson tells us all about his native country.

But Friday I was back on the road - but not far - I drove to Chapel Hill to meet with the Center for International Understanding and a group of participants from across the state. We'll all be going to Copenhagen, Denmark in June! We'll also visit a school and stay with a host family in Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. I grew up listening to my great grandmother telling me the story of "The Little Match Girl" so I'm so excited to learn more about the author in Denmark. I'll also visit Kronborg Castle in Helsinore, the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet. I can't wait to get to Denmark!

Panel members Jacob, Trina, and Anne talk about life in Denmark.

Saturday morning we ate breakfast in the hotel while watching some hungry ducks beg to come in.

The group met Friday and Saturday and made plans for our lessons we'll teach when we return. I hope my students are ready to learn more about Andersen's fairy tales, Hamlet, and Denmark. It won't be long before I'm back in that school doing what I love best - teaching middle school!

National Championship Week!

As my alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was playing for bragging rights in the basketball world, I was busy this week, beginning with a packed Monday, April 6th - the day of the National Championship Game. Senator Kay Hagan visited me at Gravelly Hill Middle School on this day, and we were so excited to have her! My students Courtney, Shannon, and Jenna had made welcome posters for her - while they were on Spring Break last week - and they stood in the rain and reserved the Senator's special parking place.

After Senator Hagan toured the school, along with Central Office staff, School Board Members, the Mayor of Hillsborough, and members of the General Assembly, she joined us at a breakfast in her honor. The conversation centered around education, and Senator Hagan was interested in our thoughts as she works for us in Washington. I thanked the Senator for her commitment to education and the students of North Carolina, and we presented her with a Gravelly Hill shirt monogrammed with her name.

Senator Hagan watches our Grizzly Band, directed by Arris Golden.

The mayor of Hillsborough and Orange County School Board members talk to Senator Hagan.

Orange County Schools Superintendent shares a point about No Child Left Behind.

Here I am with the Mayor of Hillsborough, Tom Stevens.

I left my school on this rainy Monday and headed to Person County for two events. First, I spoke to beginning teachers and told them my "life story" - at least as it relates to teaching. I spoke to them of my early struggles and about why I've stayed for over two decades...and about the joys of teaching.

Next I drove across town to the Homestead Steakhouse for a beautiful dinner honoring the Teachers of the Year in Person County.

The folks at the Homestead were pulling for the right team!

Here I am speaking to the group about the using the Teacher of the Year "voice."

Person County's outgoing Teacher of the Year, Paula Chandler, gave a beautiful farewell speech.

The next part was difficult - I got in the car around 9PM to drive two hours east to a hotel that would be 3/4 of the way to my next morning destination of Chowan University. The reason it was difficult? I had to listen to the first half of the national championship basketball game in my car. But it was okay...just a lonely drive...as everyone in North Carolina was in front of a television somewhere, and no one was on the road!

I watched the second half in my hotel room in Roanoke Rapids and got up the next morning to drive the hour to Murfreesboro and Chowan U. There I spoke to Teacher Cadets about the possibility of choosing teaching as a career. I did have one gentlemen come up to me after my remarks and tell me that I had inspired him to teach! (I love this job!)

These are the sites I see as I travel across North Carolina - I love it!

Next I drove to Raleigh to my EPFP meeting where we heard from lobbyists who explained their jobs and the process for lobbying for education. This was a very interesting meeting, and I learned so much!

On Wednesday, I hopped on a plane and flew to Washington, D.C. with Angela Farthing of NCAE. We attended the Visiting Scholars program at the National Education Association building where the topic was community schools. On Thursday I hopped back on a plane to head home for one day off - Good Friday. But I'll be back at it next week...so stay tuned!

Goin' Green!

Wow...what a busy week! This week found me in the beautiful city of Greensboro on three out of five days - I think I can make that one hour drive from my house in my sleep now.

I started the week at the Koury Convention Center, as the keynote speaker for the Closing the Gaps Conference. I was joined onstage by Dr. June Atkinson, our State Superintendent, Dr. Rebecca Garland, our Associate Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer, and Dr. Bill Harrison, newly named Chairman of the State Board of Education and CEO of the Public Schools of North Carolina. Most importantly, after my speech, we were entertained by student speakers - winners of a statewide oratorical contest - who gave motivational remarks to kick off this conference of 2,500 attendees. Dr. Teresa Smith, Student Services Consultant at DPI, introduced the students and explained the selection process that culminated in these three stduents being selected to speak at the Closing the Gaps Conference.

Here I am with some Teaching Fellows from Greensboro's A&T State University. They promised to get their director to invite me to A&T!

There were three student speakers, but of course I was immediately connected to Elizabeth Keenum, a seventh grader (woohoo!) from the Public Schools of Robeson County. The other students included fifth grader Sydni Love from Cumberland County and Matthew Hughes, a senior and Student Body President from my own county of Orange!

On Tuesday, I returned to Greensboro, this time traveling to Greensboro College to help honor Cooperating/Student Teachers and GC Alumni who have recently been named Teacher of the Year or who have earned National Board Certification. I spoke after an elegant dinner, and each teacher was given a gift as they were honored for their accomplishments.

On Wednesday, I headed to Raleigh to attend the State Board of Education meeting. The Twenty-first Century Professionals Committee met before the general Board meeting, and I was able to hang out with my buddies, former NC Teacher of the Year Diana Beasley and outgoing Principal of the Year, Dr. Debra Morris.

Here I am with some of my region's current District Teachers of the Year: Gwenn Clements, Lexington City Schools; Craig Steszewski, Thomasville City Schools; Lorraine Desern, Alamance-Burlington Schools; Me; Rodney Morgan, Jr., Guilford County Schools; and Amy Maxey, Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools.

Thursday was one of the busiest days yet - I had four places to be in one day! I could only make it to three of them, though, missing the State Board meeting on this day. I began the day in Greensboro again, this time at UNC-Greensboro, speaking to Teacher Cadet students from across the state. I was happy to meet several district level Teachers of the Year from my region.

After speaking to the group, I rushed out in the rain to drive to Raleigh to attend the Principal of the Year Luncheon. Mr. Van Pennell, Principal of South Brunswick High School, was named our state's best in a moving and exciting ceremony. I hopped back in the car and headed toward Franklin County where I was the keynote speaker for a dinner honoring National Board Certified Teachers. What a celebration! Judy Lassiter, the Coordinator for NBC in Franklin County, really worked to make those teachers feel like stars!

Here's Van Pennell, our state's new Principal of the Year!

I enjoyed the "star" recognition in Franklin County!

Well, that was a really busy week, but I've got another one coming up...a visit from a Senator, a TOY Banquet followed by a cross-state trip in the late hours of the night, a cake pick-up... Stay tuned - it's gonna be a WILD WEEK!