The August Rush

Back to school.

No sooner than I had neatly folded my flight suit from Space Camp (neatly folded for me, anyway) it was time to face the next task at hand: set up and prepare my classroom, as well as continue to drive, write speeches, and attend my scheduled events - in no particular order. For real. I had been working on getting my room back in order all summer, but there are always things that have to wait to be completed until August. I have been randomly going into my room to finish a bulletin board, drag in a new (purple!) bookcase from the yard sale down the street, and place books, name tags, and school cones on my students' desks. So my life hasn't been much different than any other teacher's in West Virginia for the past few weeks - with just a few minor exceptions.

Before I tell you about the events that have been stuffed in between the meetings and paperwork of a new school year, let's step into my classroom. Getting back into almost normal mode, being with kids all day, has been much needed oxygen. Tomahawk is my second home, and I must say, it's good to be home. My little piece of Utopia right before you get to the Morgan County line gives me some routine and normalcy that has been absent in my life for the last 11 months.

Welcome to 5th grade! 

The students that made this quilt for math are
graduating from high school this year.

Spo-nomics, our classroom economy.

The Schultutten is a school cone that children in Germany
receive on their first day of school from their families. 

Now back to (my) reality.

The beginning of the month (August 1st, actually) had me back in Charleston to serve on committee for professional teaching standards. I've lost count how many times I have made the trip across the state and have memorized how many miles it is on each Interstate (8.8 on I-81, 22 on I-70, 112 on I-68, 148 on I-79, and about a mile on 1-77. Yes, that is five Interstate changes.). Last August 2nd, I was being interviewed as a finalist in Charleston, in the same building. This time last year seems like a lifetime ago. It is both humbling and mind blowing how much has changed in my life since last August 2nd - and how little I expected to happen when I walked out of those doors of the Capitol Complex. More on that in another post.

The beautiful gold dome of the WV Capitol

The following week began with a dedication of the new Hedgesville Public Library. This serves the students in the area where I teach, and it was...wait for it...FUN to be close to home for an event and facility that serves students in my school district. Seriously, I had tremendous joy to see familiar faces of former students, parents, and community members that I hadn't seen much of over the last year.

I donated a copy of The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman,
a book I always read to begin the year and kick off our classroom
Scrabble team.

The puppet theater is the Eagle Scout project of a former Tomahawk student.

 You can view my speech at the library at this link, because Blogger is being contrary and won't let me embed it.

The next day I attended the Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast for the new teachers in our county. It was exciting to see some of the beginning teachers I had spoken to, as well as some that I met at the colleges where I presented at over the past year. From Martinsburg I hopped (no, I drove, no hopping for me) to Wildwood Middle School in Jefferson County to speak to their teachers on their opening day.

The amazing murals inside Wildwood Middle School.

And Wednesday...that was my opening day, and evening orientation to meet my new students and parents for the year. If I were a car, I would have two gears: teacher of the year, and Mrs. Sponaugle. So I geared into Mrs. Sponaugle mode for the rest of that week and into the next, getting to know my class, collecting paperwork, and learning a new schedule. And getting reacquainted with colleagues I haven't seen much of over the past few months.

By Friday of the following week, it back to teacher of the year mode. I drove up to Morgantown Thursday evening after school and got into my hotel room just in time to log into Twitter and lead a WV edchat on teacher leadership. The next morning I spoke to teacher education students from across the state at the inaugural Pre-service Teacher Workshop of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Video of the event will soon be available on their website.

Cheat Lake

With student from WVU at Parkersburg

More WVU at Parkersburg students

Ohio Valley University students

Next week it was back to school, to gear into Mrs. Sponaugle mode - for two days. Wednesday I attended the bi-monthly board meeting of the Education Alliance at the Greenbrier during their annual Business Summit, then headed from there to Charleston to begin the process of starting another teacher on this incredible journey.

The Greenbrier...and Berkeley

Inside the Greenbrier

Inside the annual report of The Education Alliance. That is a
very big picture. It's even bigger when you aren't expecting to
come across it.

Then I landed head first into a pillow (well no, I taught Friday), then I landed head first into a pillow to begin this three day weekend with a little rest. Next week I make a trip to Flatwoods and a trip to Charleston. The odometer on my Prius will surpass 12,000 by this time next week. If that sounds crazy, it's because it is. It is staggeringly hard to maintain it all, and have a semi-clean house. And eat right. And exercise. And make sense when someone asks me a question (as in, be in the right gear, teacher of the year or Mrs. Sponaugle, because sometimes my mind hasn't caught up with there I'm at). There have been 178274935 tabs open on my mental browser since last October 9th. I think I just added seven.

But I haven't and won't complain(ed). So much good, so much joy, so much hope for the future and for future opportunities has shown itself to me and others because of this experience. It's almost (well, it is) too much good, too much joy, too much opportunity, for one person. Yet, even though it has seemed like this day would never come back in the insanity of March and April, this chapter of my life is coming to a close. Things are winding down. There's still more to come, but within a different context. I'm hoping to take the month of September to reflect on some of the behind-the-scenes experiences that have brought me to this point and on what's to come.

Stay tuned.

Raleigh County: School Visits, Teacher of the Year Reception, and Exhibition Coal Mine

I'm melting.

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.

Two Weeks at Home: Presentations, Celebrations, and Paying it Forward

Home. Three day weekend. No commitments for a few days except family. Bliss.

The past two weeks have been close to home, although that's not to say there hasn't been a lot going on. Almost every day I have had an appearance or commitment, most of which resulted in some long evenings. It's also the end of the school year, which brings a bit of sadness to me because I missed out on so much. My classroom was a part of my heart more than I realized. Saying goodbye to a year and a class I didn't get to be a part of makes me feel empty. 

However, there's plenty going on to fill any void - so that is where I choose to direct my energy. Two weeks ago I spoke at the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation (EWVCF) Scholarship Reception, recognizing and awarding students in Berkeley, Morgan, and Jefferson Counties. It was exciting to see several of my former Smoke Signals staff and student council members receive awards. What I didn't know - and found out at the end, right before wind, rain and lightning besieged the grounds of the Purple Iris - was that a scholarship had been established in my name for students choosing to pursue a career in education. This makes me so happy and gives me a purpose and a goal for the future. My goal is to support those that have the determination and talent to become educators but not the financial resources, and I'm hoping to encourage those who are non-traditional students to seek the funding to accomplish their goals.

Tomahawk alumni receiving scholarships - all were on the
Smoke Signals newspaper staff or student council :-) 

With Sabrina, a former Smoke Signals staff writer who is
attending Fairmont State in the fall to study elementary education!

With Scott Roach, president of EWVCF

Next up was speaking and helping to present awards at the Berkeley County Council PTA banquet at Bunker Hill Elementary. That was the 31st and final school I needed to visit in Berkeley County. Being pulled to travel across the state has made it difficult to get to every school, but I felt that it was important to keep that commitment. I have also finished my Berkeley County interviews for Be the DifferenceWV. That has given me the opportunity to speak to at least two teachers in every school in my county. More on that in another post.

I rarely take selfies, but thought my 31st school visit warranted one :-)

Interviewing Brande Hockensmith at Musselman High

I also shared Berkeley with two schools in Berkeley County - Back Creek Valley Elementary for their Mountaineer Day (a great event with square dancing and homemade ice cream!) and Spring Mills Primary. While at Spring Mills, I stopped in to see my elementary art teacher, Liz Altman. I remember in fifth grade living for art class day - I would still rather draw (or write) more than anything else in my spare time - when I have spare time.

Back Creek Valley Elementary students on Mountaineer Day

Talking about state pride with second graders at Spring Mills Primary 

With Liz Altman, my art teacher from Marlowe Elementary

The Tuesday after the EWVCF Reception I did an interview with Anne Laskey, the National Board Certification coordinator for Berkeley County Schools, for the Panhandle Spotlite on WEPM. We discussed the purpose of National Board certification and its impact on Berkeley County teachers with Marsha Chwalik. With a greater emphasis on teacher leadership on the federal level, it becomes increasingly important to promote opportunities for teachers to demonstrate their contributions to their classrooms. 

With Anne Laskey and...Berkeley!?!? I didn't know bears did
radio interviews, too! :-)

Some say that National Board certification or Masters degrees don't make you a better teacher. I would have to say I disagree with that sentiment wholeheartedly. Any time you challenge yourself to reflect on your practice and increase your own understanding in the field of education, you grow as a person and as a professional. Opportunities arise when you achieve those goals to better serve students in your classroom, state, and nation. Teachers are not as highly regarded as they should be as professionals, and if we want to move forward and have our voices heard and highly regarded, we need to reach out, promote, and celebrate our accomplishments and efforts to improve our practice. In states such as West Virginia, where 50% of teachers will be eligible for retirement in the next decade, it is increasingly important for National Board Certification to be supported as a means to validate, reward, and retain accomplished teachers.

I ended this school week with our fifth grade field trip to the National Zoo in D.C. In a year where my role in education radically changed, it is comforting to do something traditional. I welcome the normalcy, and I'm already mentally preparing for next school year (and how I'm going to get ready for my own classroom during June and July, since I will have my current responsibilities during the August rush). While at the zoo, I ran into Jacqueline Frierson, a social studies teacher at William Wirt Middle School in Prince George's County, Maryland. She and I were Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum fellows in 2010 and attended the fellowship in Springfield, Illinois, together. What a coincidence to meet up four years later! After 42 years in education, she is retiring this year. I'm so glad we were able to reconnect - on our class field trips!

A collage of photos from our beautiful day at the National Zoo

With ALPLM alum Dr. Frierson

This has been a school year like no other. It's a year where I have spent a lot of time by myself, doing things I never anticipated experiencing, meeting people - incredible people who have changed my life. I have one more trip this school year - I head to Beckley for the Raleigh County Teacher of the Year reception and school visits next week. There may be no place like home, but I've learned to deeply appreciate those who welcome me across West Virginia, wherever my travels take me.