In January, I was privileged to
attend the State Teacher of the Year Program Conference in Dallas,
TX. Dallas had been the official start of my experience with the
National Teacher of the Year Program a year before, so this was
somewhat of a return trip for me, but from a new vantage point.
In
Dallas this year, new and familiar faces engaged in familiar discussions.
I watched the familiar process of helping Teachers of the Year understand
the intent of the program and the role and responsibility of being
an acknowledged teacher. I witnessed the professional competency
and energy of the new class.
Here
are a few thoughts on the power of teaching from several of the
State Teachers of the Year 2000.
"After
20-plus years of being a teacher, I still remain excited (and enthused)
about the job . . . As teachers, we hold in our hands the precious gift
of opening the doors of learning for every student that we touch."
- Susan Furey Adams, Physical Education, K4, Jericho Elementary School,
Jericho, VT
"Teaching
is a challenge . . . Teaching is energizing . . . Teaching is the profession
that makes all professions possible." - Kathy
Politz, Kindergarten, West Vigo Elementary School, Terre Haute, IN
"My
motivation for teaching simply is that by working with children,
it helps me be my very best . . . I love what happens to me when I work
with children. I do believe that classrooms can be places of great
possibility and transformation, not only for young people, but also
for teachers." - Kim Hughes, Kindergarten, Fox Road Elementary School,
Raleigh, NC
"My
kids keep me excited every day of the year. I learn more about how
my children think and how to help them learn by making connections
between what they know and what they do not yet know. I am a researcher
as well as a teacher in the classroom." - Ann Dominick, Fourth Grade,
South Shades Crest Elementary School, Hoover, AL
As
I move into this fourth and final phase of my year as the present
National Teacher of the Year, I remind myself to be grateful for
what I have already encountered and to happily anticipate the unknown
possibilities that lie ahead!
Until
next time, good luck and good teaching.
Andy
Check
back often to see journal entries from the coming months.
November
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| February |
March
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