December 2000

As I flew across the country throughout the last four weeks, I have seen the landscape change from the gold and red of autumn into a white landscape of winter. I have experienced snow, rain, bitter cold, below zero weather, and an electric storm, and I have bought my first overcoat in 35 years.

What a contrast the outside world is with warmth of the people I have met in schools, universities, and at conferences. From a presentation at a Teachers Forum in Washington, D.C., to the National Council of Teachers of English in Milwaukee (where I realized I had to buy a coat), to the Association of Christian Schools in California, to the College of New Jersey, to Dallas and the College of North Texas, to Indiana and Ball State University, and to Cleveland to the Cleveland Teachers Academy, I have been overwhelmed with the interest in and enthusiasm toward education, teachers, and students.

I wish I could share with you all the activities that took place at every stop I made, but space does not permit. However, I must mention my trip to Indianapolis and the people, Terry Wiedner and Vikki Harris, who cared for me. These outstanding women are a credit to their field and have inspired me to greater heights. They arranged days of interesting and varied activities. Videographers followed us wherever we went. From Southland High School to a visit to Paws, Inc., the studios of Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield, to Ball State University, to a television presentation, to Upper Wabash Valley School Council to Huntington College, we grew to be a family.

One of the highlights, however, was a visit to Henry County Youth Center — a state of the art Juvenile Detention Center, where I met and talked with students. What a moving experience this was for me. This was followed by a visit to Knightsville Soldiers� and Sailors� Children�s Home — a residential facility. Students took me on a tour of the facilities, and I had the good fortune to meet and talk with the teachers.

All the instructors I met were models of giving. The children they work with, even though some of these young people return to their jail cells at the end of the day, were given a new lease on life through education. And the feeling of hope for the future was everywhere present.

And so, as we all prepare to take a short hiatus from our travels and our duties to celebrate with those we love, we should take pride and joy in the works teachers everywhere are performing. I am proud to be a part of the educational community. I am proud to represent the teachers of America as National Teacher of the Year.

Have a reflective, thankful, recuperative, warm, and peaceful holiday season. Best wishes to everyone.

Dr. Marilyn Whirry

Check back often to see journal entries from the coming months.

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