I said I wasn't going to be sad - and I'm not, really. Maybe it's because, at this point, I'm more fatigued than dismal that this life changing experience is coming to an end. At least, it was life changing for me. That could be because of when this season has happened, relatively early in my life and (relatively) early in my teaching career. I feel as though I have aged 10 years - not only in experiences, but in the physical toll that traveling alone, nonstop for a year has on your body. Never underestimate how difficult it is to drive, often in inclement weather, listening carefully to your GPS and trusting it to not take you over-the-river-and-through the-woods, stay alert for hours on end, with one eye on the road and another on the clock, hoping you'll get where ever you're going in time - or before dark. My back and stomach both feel like they have been crunched tightly in a fist since January.
This is what my odometer read at the beginning of August.
I'm not going to be sad. It was everything it was meant to be for me, and it's time to move on. My mental and physical capacity for having two full time jobs has reached its limit. After a year, it's time for a release of having somewhere to be, something to say, or someone to write for - at least on a tightly scheduled basis.
My lone speaking engagement this month was addressing the West Virginia Association of Retired School Employees at their annual meeting in Braxton County. It was also my last speaking engagement as the current teacher of the year until October 8th, when I address the state school board and give my farewell speech (is it really a farewell speech? Maybe reflection speech would be a better name for it). Regardless, I enjoyed speaking to those who have given a lifetime of service to education in West Virginia and have the opportunity to now advocate for our teachers and students from another perspective.
Nicolas County WVARSE members
One of the last one room school teachers from Tucker County.
That's not to say I wasn't busy. I have made four trips to Charleston since this school year began. Some were for selecting the next teacher of the year, others were for committees that I have been appointed to as a result of my title. Which is why, I guess October 8th really isn't as much a farewell as it is a "reboot." That's also what I have spent much of this past month pondering, in between lesson plans, calling substitutes, and grading papers - what happens next?
Marshall University Graduate School in Charleston
I've also started working on one thing I plan to pursue after October 8th. I am writing and illustrating a children's book about my year, with the main character none other than your favorite West Virginia state symbol. This is uncharted territory for me, but I figure Berkeley's blog is a good start for a story line - and I certainly have the pictures to inspire my illustrations. I have been doing a lot of research on how to get started with a children't book (among other things) - just wondering at this point if I can tell Berkeley's adventures in just 32 pages.
Those post-it notes are the beginning of Berkeley's book.
I also received this in the mail last week. It brought back all the excitement of that day, which was a much needed pick-me-up in the midst of mounting stress.
With President Obama in the Blue Room of the White House, May 1, 2014
Cecelia Mason's article on my year also was published in Shepherd University's Alumni magazine. You can read the story at this link. What is it like to go to your mailbox and, in the midst of advertisements and bills, see yourself staring back at you? At this point, it's just another day in the life...
Thank you, Cecelia, for another beautiful article about my year.
This upcoming week, I am traveling to Princeton, New Jersey, for the final convening of our 2014 class of state teachers of the year. I'm looking forward to it (after I write yet another set of substitute lesson plans), not only to see the teachers that understand what this year has been all about, but because I need some direction as to what to do next.
The time out of the classroom is stretching me thin - remember I write this blog not only to document my year, but to give insight as to what this experience is all about, not just the recognition and glory, but the wear and tear. I feel (and have felt) incredibly guilty when I have to leave my classroom in someone else's care. Once I get to my destination, I turn off the guilt and focus on what I need to say and do, because I represent every teacher in West Virginia. Then, I make the trek home, exhausted, only to get up the next morning and give what I have left to my students.
Although I've been in and out, my 5th graders already know me well.
The pressure is immense. So is the reward.
Which is why, here at the very end as the season changes to fall, coming full circle from last year, it's difficult to not be just a little sad.
I want to tell you all about Space Camp, and I will. July was a packed month, Huntsville aside. So before I go into my adventures from last week, let me recap on all the non-Space Camp related activities.
Technically, the ECS policy forum was in July as well. As soon as I got off the train coming home from that event, I went to a reception for the Eastern Panhandle Community Foundation, the organization that recently established a scholarship in my name for Shepherd University students. After a day of finishing with ECS sessions, sitting on the train tracks in a humid, noisy car due to a torrential storm, followed by a bus ride from the train station in Brunswick to Martinsburg, I was spent. It happens.
The next day I headed to Shepherdstown to be interviewed by Cecelia Mason for a story for West Virginia Public Broadcasting and an upcoming article for Shepherd Alumni magazine. Cecelia is fantastic at what she does, and Shepherd is fortunate to have her on their campus. The story on West Virginia Public Broadcasting recently aired, and the article in Alumni will be out the fall. I appreciate the media coverage of my activities, as it's one way I'll be able to remember this incredible year.
Berkeley stopped by the Little House in Shepherdstown
Bears play piano too, you know.
The following week I headed to Flatwoods for a conference on the portfolio changes for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. This was an opportunity to not only learn about the revisions but to connect with teachers across the state that are candidate support providers. I also was able to meet with two other West Virginia Teachers of the Year, Eric Kincaid (2007) and MaryLu Hutchins (2008).
An amazing West Virginia cloud picture I took from my hotel room
This sign sums up how many directions I've been pulled in this year.
On Friday of that week, I was in my classroom to record segments for American Public University's teacher education program. A special thank you to Vice President Conrad Lotze and the media team of Lori Whitacre, David van der Goes, and Drew Broadbent for coming to Tomahawk and being fantastic to work with. Students at APU are all over the world, working on degrees through distance learning. I'm excited that my insights into education are going to be viewed and discussed by teacher education students from all corners of the earth. Technology allows us to have an unfathomable impact on others.
Ready, set, record!
Working in the media and in education are similar in that
you must have a passion for it.
Behind the scenes...
The following Monday I was in Charleston to speak to the Alpha Delta Kappa sisters at their biannual Southeast Regional Conference. I was recently inducted into ADK and am looking forward to opportunities forthcoming to serve the community through this organization. I also reached 10,000 miles on the odometer on my Prius on my way home from this event. Yes, I did.
Charleston Civic Center
SER Conference Choir
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito speaking to ADK
Welcoming ADK sisters to the conference
Quickly captured the milestone with my phone...then put it away.
With the exception of a meeting to prepare for next year's National Board cohort in Berkeley County, the rest of that week was spent preparing for International Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. I will tell you ALL about that experience over several posts, but condensing that week into this one post won't do it justice. Until I get some time to write this weekend, here are some teaser pictures.
Yesterday I closed out the month speaking to the principals and administrators in Jefferson County at their leadership academy. What a difference a year makes. This time last year I was at Berkeley County's leadership academy as an attendee, sweating out the notion that in T minus three days I would be having my finalist interview. Many (as in a room full) stayed after the academy was over one day to let me practice my speech with an audience. Just one of the many times this year I have been supported and lifted up. And then, this year, I addressed a room full of school leaders about just that: lifting one another up to bring the joy and be the voice of this profession. I will post the video of my speech when YouTube decides to cooperate today...or tomorrow...
Speaking at the Leadership Academy
I also hit the "send" button on an incredible opportunity bestowed upon each class of state teachers of the year. Walden University gives each state teacher of the year a tuition free scholarship to pursue a doctoral degree through their institution if they so choose. That's an offer that I'm not able to pass up, so once I determined I wanted to pursue the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment track, I confirmed that I would like to begin course work at the end of October. I don't know what I will use it for or how it will impact my future endeavors, but it's important to me to have a personal goal to go after - even if it will take a long time to complete.
Last year feels like eons ago. I had no idea what I was getting into when I received a phone call last year that I was a state finalist - and I mean that in the best way humanly possible. It will take a separate blog post to delve into all that has changed within me over the last twelve months. My classroom is almost ready for a new school year, and I'm about to wind down this experience that has changed me and provided me with opportunities to impact others in ways I never could have imagined. A lot can happen in 365 days, and it happens faster than you can blink.
I can write about all of my June events tonight, because beside a possible day trip to Charleston next week (with a half day drive round trip not included), I am taking the rest of the month to be almost normal. Almost, because getting your classroom set up for the next school year isn't on many teachers' agendas as soon as school lets out, but that has to happen with the events coming up in July and early August. Almost, because as I sort through the hundreds of pictures and handouts and business cards, I have to start thinking about what happens next. I have acquired, through the course of this year, an entirely new skill set. I wasn't "coached" or trained on how to speak, write, or network, but those are skills that I have refined in ways I never could have anticipated this time last year. What do you do with that once this experience is over - or is it ever really over?
June as been a "Hello, Goodbye" month. I have four months left...I think. My last known event is in October, but as I said, I don't know what happens next, or if people will still want to hear from me after the fact. I'm meeting new groups and organizations, but I've also begun the "farewell" tour as new people are recognized - which makes me happy. It's meant to be "teacher of the year" for a reason. Number one, there are thousands of teachers that deserve to be honored for what they do in their classrooms, and number two...one person can only extend him/herself so much within a twelve month period, and then it's time to give him/her a break. Being teacher of the year doesn't give you superhero powers - or mean you already posses them. We get tired. And lonely. And sick. Which is why I know I need to lay low for the last full week of June, so I can power through the rest of a restless summer away from home.
Before I forget - all Berkeley County interviews for Be the DifferenceWV are uploaded on my YouTube channel. On my way to Beckley I remembered that I did not go to James Rumsey Technical Institute, a career and technical school for students in Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson Counties to interview any teachers...and I drive by it every day on my way to Tomahawk! I am very thankful to their principal Donna VanMetre, who arranged for me to interview teachers Ron Odom and Andrew Albright on the last week of school. So glad I got to learn more about the CISCO networking academy and welding program from these two outstanding people. Career and technical education provides monumental opportunities for students to not only learn a trade but gain a foundation for the business world as well as college.
With CISCO technology teacher Ron Odom
With welding teacher Andrew Albright
I spoke the the Region VI members of the West Virginia Association of Retired School Employees (WVARSE) in Wardensville, located in Hardy County, on the last day of school for teachers. These were retired school employees from the Eastern Panhandle. They were very welcoming and interested to hear about my experiences this year. Many of them are extended family or know my husband's family from Pendelton County :-) It was also nice to meet the 1996 West Virginia Teacher of the Year, JoAnn Harman from Grant County. I'm looking forward to speaking to the state WVARSE members in Flatwoods in September.
With Pendelton County WVARSE members
With WVARSE Executive Director Bill Milam and 1996 WVTOY JoAnn Harman
Berkeley County WVARSE members
Next was speaking to "kick off" the Berkeley County Schools Summer Institute, Extreme Makeover: Classroom Edition. This was half speaking on behalf of the changes occurring in education, and half closing my year representing all the teachers in our county. I spoke on the need to raise expectations for students and the controversy surrounding the changes, as well as how much I have valued representing those in the audience.
Speaking at the Summer Institute
Later that evening was the ceremony and reception for the 2014-15 Berkeley County Teacher of the Year. Yes, two big speeches in one day. No, that's not unusual at this point. I've done three our four, although the pressure was high for both of these, because it was the "home crowd" and I wanted to really do a good job. I'm happy and excited for Holly Branch, a math teacher at Musselman High School, to take on this role, because I know she will have a special year. Thanks to Richard Belisle of The Herald Mail for the follow up story on my travels this year, which you can view at this link.
On stage with the 2014-15 finalists
Giving my reflection speech
With the 2014-15 Berkeley County
Teacher of the Year, Holly Branch
And today, I spoke at American Public University (APU) in Charles Town, located in Jefferson County. I was there as a guest speaker as part of The Education Alliance's EdTalk series, as well as a newly named member of the board of directors of The Education Alliance. I am the first teacher to be named to the board of directors, as this has been a new change to the bylaws of The Education Alliance, an organization that works to promote business and community involvement in schools, to have the current state teacher of the year be a part of their board.
As part of this event I took a tour of the APU campus. Although it is an online university (formerly known as American Military University, originally designed to allow those in the armed forces complete a degree from anywhere in the world), I was surprised at the size and design of the facilities. APU is the second largest online university system, with the first being the University of Phoenix. 70% of those employed with APU live in West Virginia. Students receive a book grant to cover the cost of their texts for their courses, and APU has not raised their tuition per credit hour in 12 years. I was very impressed by APU as an alternative to students who cannot afford a college education at a traditional institution or need to pursue online learning to meet their needs.
The building housing the library at APU
Above the parking area at APU is the largest solar array in West Virginia
The APU administration building in downtown Charles Town
was a hospital during the Civil War!
Where the large window is located was once the operating room
of the hospital. Now it is the president's office.
Back to that EdTalk :-) In the same vein as TED Talks, the EdTalk Series sponsored by The Education Alliance is designed to allow leaders in education to offer their perspectives and ideas for improving education. Senator Joe Manchin also spoke to the audience (via Skype) as well as the president of APU, Dr. Wallace Boston. I was excited to give this speech, because I have been eager to be offered the chance to speak on my views in education, not just my story for how I came to this place in my life. I received a lot of positive feedback about my speech afterwards, so that was encouraging. The Education Alliance recorded the EdTalk event and speeches to feature on their YouTube channel. I will post the link to it once it has been uploaded. I met a lot of other groups and organizations at this event, and I am looking forward to working with some new groups in the next few months.
Giving my EdTalk
Among the many things I discussed were
accountability and teacher retention.
Now what? I haven't had a single shred of free time since...this time last year? Last July I was out of the country, then I came home to find out I needed to prepare for my state finalist interview (more on that in another post), then the school year started...and then came October 9th. Nothing has been the same since. That makes both happy, excited, and a little sad. I would not trade in one moment this year, but it is still disheartening when people still think of this as "just" an award. It's changed my life, and right now as I say hello and goodbye, I don't know where it's headed.
Maybe melted would be more correct at this point. When I started to write this post last week, I was melting. Summertime has finally squeezed its way into our lives bringing heat, sunshine, and green, green grass. The crazy winter of 2014, which had me dodging snowstorms faster than a speeding snowflake, has officially evaporated, with hopefully no return in sight. Along with the promise of warm weather and good times is the avalanche of paperwork, clean up, and refereeing that follows at the end of the year in a teacher's classroom. I felt myself slowly disintegrating with every bead of sweat that formed as I strategized how to pack my classroom for summer cleaning - and my overnight bag.
Another trip. Two weeks of routine had spoiled me. I dreaded the thought of loading and unloading my car, navigating unfamiliar roads (it's all good until it's time to get off the interstate), and spending a sleepless night in a sterile (looking) hotel room. It's easier to be home. There's less guilt about being away from family and colleagues. Everyone seems to be more at ease and happier when I'm safely off the highway.
This journey can feel very isolating, because I have been on my own for much of it - with the exception of the State of the State address, Scottsdale, and the evening gala and White House ceremony. As lonely as it is, I've look forward to the people I will meet and what quasi-crisis I'm going to have to work out by myself. I'm melting, in the sense that who I thought I was is dripping away. Easy isn't what we need to help us grow. So once I was in the car and on my way to Beckley, I was fine.
My first stop in Raleigh County, in the southern region of West Virginia, was Maxwell Elementary to speak to second graders - and share Berkeley's travels. Reporters from television station WOAY came to interview me about my visit to Raleigh County, much to the delight of the first classroom I visited ("Are we gonna be on TV? ARE WE GONNA BE ON TV?!?!"). Unfortunately, I can't find a link to the interview online, but I'm sure some very excited second graders tuned in to channel 5 at 6 pm that evening to watch. One of the second graders was so excited he had his teacher take a picture of me with him (and Berkeley) and had her text it to his mother. They were happy to hear Berkeley would be telling all the students in West Virginia about his trip to Beckley on his blog, as were the Kindergartners in Mrs. Meadows' classroom at Bradley Elementary during my second school visit.
Maxwell Hill Elementary
Ms. Chapman's class - they loved Berkeley's bookmarks!
Bradley Elementary
What a beautiful mural and school!
Later that evening I attended and spoke at the Raleigh County Teacher of the Year banquet. It was a beautifully organized event, where one teacher from each of the 29 schools is recognized for their dedication and excellence. I think that is remarkable. There are countless teachers in every school that deserve recognition, and it was one of the most special events of my year to be there and speak to the teachers that I represent. Congratulations to Michelle Durham, a Pre-Kindergarten teacher at Shady Spring Elementary, for being named the 2014-15 Raleigh County Teacher of the Year. Thank you to Dave Traube, the public relations director for Raleigh County Schools, for asking me to speak and coordinating such a nice event to honor teachers.
Raleigh County Teacher of the Year finalists
With Michelle Durham,
2014-15 Raleigh County Teacher of the Year
The next morning, it was time to travel home. This was a short trip (or a short long trip rather, since Beckley is a little over 4 hours away from Martinsburg). Before I left, I stopped by the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. The coal industry is not prevalent in the Eastern Panhandle; most of the students and families that come to live here from out of the area have no idea regions of West Virginia depend on coal for their economy (and that the end of the coal industry in many areas has lead to their economic collapse). I felt it was important for me, as someone who represents teachers and families in West Virginia, to learn about the history of an industry that supports the lives of many of the students in my state. The Children's Youth Museum and Mountain Homestead are also on the grounds of the Exhibition Coal Mine, which are both excellent places for students of all ages to interact with history. Berkeley will have a more in depth look at coal mining for students later this week :-)
A coal miner's family home.
Oh...where's Berkeley :-)
Inside the Slab Fork Mine
Bolts in the ceiling of the mine to keep it from caving in on the miners
A kettle bottom (petrified wood) that would
be dangerous for miners to hit their heads on in the mine
Scrip - used in place of money to "pay" miners - and only redeemable
at the company store.
A harsh reality, along with only being paid
20 cents for every ton of coal mined
Coal town baseball team uniform
Some of the tools used to mine for coal
Superintendent's House
Town school for grades first through eighth. By the end of eight
grade, you were expected to go into the mines and work.
Bachelor's shanty
Berkeley in the outhouse. :-D
I may be the teacher of the year, but I still
have a sense of humor.
That evening I was back home, back to almost normal, and back to melting. It's not getting any cooler, although I'm looking forward to the month of June moving at a slower pace. This school year has ended... and it went way off the lesson plan. As teachers we have to be flexible, but this year would have had Gumby (remember him?) tied in knots. I have had to shift my priorities, perspectives, and plans like changing states of matter. I thought I would end my eleventh year of teaching saying goodbye to another group of fifth graders, and preparing for another summer adventure. Never could I have anticipated the events and people that have woven themselves into my story and changed the direction of my life. Due to my issues with speaking and anxiety, I thought I was limited in what I could do successfully outside of the classroom. Where I was, and who I was, was going to have to be enough for me.
And because of this year, these people, and these events, I have completely melted.
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