Getting To The Core

Today started with an intense 3 1/2 hour session on the Common Core State Standards.  Our presenter Joellen Killion did a nice job at getting us actively discussing, thinking and questioning during the session and I actually learned a lot by the end in terms of where our place is in all this, as Alaskans and non-adopters. 

The goals for our session were to explore what the Common Core is and the role teacher leaders must play in its success.  Another goal was to develop an understanding of how to respond to change.  At first I felt detached from the conversation around the first goal, but then I began to see the light.  Alaska has new standards and our standards are very similar to the Common Core.   Although we still have room for growth in our standards development and refinement, the purpose of our standards is the same as the Common Core: to provide our kids with high quality education and make them college and career ready in the 21st century.   No matter which name our standards carry, the successful implementation of these standards by teachers is the key next step.  What is needed for successful implementation is the same in every state in the nation: Effective school leaders, high quality teachers and the development of "professional learning community" that is engaged in a continuous cycle of improvement, all made possible by state support.  Phew!

After learning about this, we turned our minds to thinking about how to effect this change in our states.  We were introduced to a model for change called the Stages of Concern.  It applies to anyone experiencing change, such as policy makers and teachers (Hall & Hord, 1987; Loucks-Horsley & Stiegelbauer, 1991).  The idea of the model is that we evolve in our care, understanding & buy in for changes, such as methods of teaching, assessment and evaluation.   The first level is about self concern, with the first step being Awareness: "It does not concern or interest me now."  The last step in the first level is Personal: "How will this innovation affect me? How will I benefit?   Progression through these levels brings one to reflecting on how use is impacting students and finally working toward continual improvement through collaboration and refocusing.  I did a lot of thinking on this model today.  I started with where I was on the model, then thought about where my colleagues were at on this model and then thought about where the majority of leaders and teachers may be on this model.  It seems like a powerful tool to use by education leaders (administrators and teacher leaders) to bring about successful implementation for reform.  In order to effect change in our students, we must first know where they are at, socially, emotionally and intellectually.  We are no different as adults.  I think the key to evolving along this model is a gradual cultural change that encourages positive meaning for Self so that we can in turn have meaning for our students.

After doing a little reflection on this, our presenter had gave us an assignment.  We had to pick a "twin" in the room and go have a discussion with them. We could pick any feature to represent our twin, such as similar clothing, similar content, similar shoes, etc.  I picked my short twin, Luisa from Nebraska, which also happens to be a non-adopting state.  We had a great discussion about how to create positive buy in for change.  Up until that point the focus had been on how to move teachers and administrators through this model.  Luisa brought up a great point on how to show the students in simple terms what the standards were so that they were meaningful to them.  It made me realize that we had not been thinking about the students, parents and general public and their role in a successful reform model.  They are critical, especially in a time when there is confusion about why the changes are needed and what it will mean for all parties involved.   I know part of sharing our voice needs to be focused in this direction.  To share the positive aspects of where we are headed in education to move them from Self to Collaboration.

We ended this intensity by walking away to a wonderful luncheon put on by the People to People Ambassador Program.  We finally were introduced to Michelle Shearer, the 2012 National Teacher of the Year, who spoke to us about her amazing cultural experiences with this program.  They then honored us with a wonderful gift, a gift card for the Donors Choose program.  Donors Choose is an online charity in which public school teachers submit ideas that need funding and philanthropists decide which to fund.  By giving us the gift card, we get to act as the philanthropist and fund a project that inspires us!  I can only imagine how hard it will be to choose.   I am continually overwhelmed by the gifts bestowed to us, especially those that allow us to give back, which seem the most life changing of all.


We ended the day in our TOY home rooms.  Our home rooms are made up of TOYs from our region.  How can the West not be the best?

From Left to Right, Back to Front: Chad from Hawaii, Tom from Montana, Mark from Washington, Brent from Wyoming, Rebecca from California, Kristie from Arizona, Kristin from Colorado, Me from Alaska, Deanna from Nevada, Lita from American Samoa, Leigh from Utah, Elena from Oregon & Erin from Idaho

In our home rooms each day we work with a different National Teacher facilitator to debrief and "agitate" over what we have learned, what has surprised us, what we are thinking.  Today our session focused around effective teacher evaluation and accountability.  We really wanted to spend hours on this one, it seemed a hot topic for all of us.  I think the most valuable tool is collaboration time such as this, because we all have ideas and experiences that can generate a potential successful future model.  We all know that the future will entail teacher evaluation being at least partially tied to student achievement.  I agree with this if the achievement is made on the basis of growth!  When we compare achievement in different demographics based on growth, the results may be surprising.  In 3 states in our room, the affluent schools in large example districts may be proficient, but they are not showing growth, where as the poverty stricken schools are showing growth changes of up to 20% in student learning, even though they may not all be proficient yet!  Which should be rewarded or given a positive evaluation?  Seems quite logical to me!  Another key point that we felt needs to be part of a reform in teacher evaluation is that the methods of evaluation or indicators for success must be decided with teacher input.  With active participation there will be more buy in on the teachers part to move forward.   I hope that I can be one of these teachers!  I feel strongly that with a new, consistent, well-rounded evaluation tool that both teachers and students will benefit, and isn't that our goal?

As Much As It Takes

Another amazing day of learning, sharing and eating too much.  The morning was full of intense discussions about the hot topics in education right now: reform, the Common Core, teacher evaluations teacher value in America and how our voice can have an impact.   Janice Poda from the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) spoke to us about the State of the States.  She shared a little about Gates Foundation MET (Measures of Effective Teaching Project) Report and how it was eye opening in terms of what works for teacher evaluation as well as student assessment.  I immediately downloaded it - but haven't gotten used to reading 40 pages on a computer yet - so I will be posting my reflections on this later!  Peter McWalters, a fellow Rochesterian, and also a consultant for CCSSO, was gritty in his discussion of where we are headed in education, I found this refreshing.  He highlighted that there have been years of reform movements in the US, but they have all been impulse techniques.  Now we have come fill circle and we are realizing "Its the teacher....stupid."  Meaning what really makes a difference in our student and school successes is the teacher in the classroom.  One might jump to say that if there are failing schools and students then the teacher should be removed.  On the contrary, "we can't fire away to Finland" as Peter states, but rather work to improve what we have.  Each one of us sitting in the audience represents the best in our state, yet we all know and feel that we have so much to learn and improve on.  We ALL as educators need to be on a continuous improvement model to better serve our students.   What does continuous improvement mean exactly?  Well, one of my peers compared it so eloquently to updating the apps on your iPhone.  You continually do it, not because the older app is bad or wrong, but to improve slightly on the model that is there.  You don't throw out the app, you simply update it.  Teacher evaluation should be based on a continuous improvement model.  Just as we work to take each of our students and move them forward in their learning and assess their progress, we should take ourselves forward as well. Scott Palmer of Education Counsel, LLC, pointed out that we can't reform education in a way that is "anti-teacher."

Since his focus is educational policy in Washington D.C., Scott spent a lot of time discussing the Common Core standards.  I listened quite intently during this conversation that has been coming up again and again during our conference.  As of today, 45 states have adopted the Common Core standards set up by the CCSSO and the State Governors.  Alaska is one of the 5 that has not!  For better or worse, Alaska is quite a diverse and independent state that feels the Common Core doesn't meet the needs of our students.  However, I am left wondering what that means for us.  Where will we settle out in the long term?  Will we be slighted from funding for not jumping on board, will we lose opportunities for our students, will our students be comparable with other states?  I look forward to hunting down Minnesota, Virginia an Texas to hear their thoughts since they are also opting out.

Scott also spoke about the lack of value for education in the US compared to other countries and that it was a cultural norm.  I immediately wondered if a paradigm shift was necessary.  I say we should just get away from the word "education," since it seems to be such an impassioned term and let us substitute the word knowledge.  How can anyone deny the value of knowledge?  Let us be the "facilitators of knowledge" for our youth and for each other!

After our postprandial depression (a.k.a food coma), the day shifted to learning about our year of opportunity.  Just the mere mention of our Washington trip and I get goose bumps.  We are tentatively scheduled for April 23rd-27th, but being an election year that could change at a moments notice, so no plane tickets yet.  We then heard that the most exciting and sleepless week of our year will be in Alabama in July at Space Camp.  We will get to experience weightlessness (and a lot of vomiting I imagine).  An unexpected surprise was a special invite to the Education Commission of the States National Forum in Georgia in early July.  We are all invited to share in workshops on education policy and reform and that is an exciting opportunity.  Instead of being spoken to, we will get to use our voices to lead transformation. 

Sarah Brown Wessling then shared a wonderful resource that I am excited to share with all my fellow educators, the Teacher Channel.  You are probably saying, "oh, I have already been there, its teacher tube."  But it is so much more!  It is a non-profit organization that works to video inspiring and effective teachers in their classrooms.  There are a variety of videos, but what I love most is that there are a variety of uncut videos as well.  Seeing real teachers in their classes that aren't perfect, just like our own.  I have always said that my dream professional development would be to take a year off and attend classrooms around the state and country in all content areas and grade levels so that I could truly learn how to be a better teacher.   Obviously that will have to remain a dream, but I feel this resource really gets me a step closer.  I have only watched a few videos but I recommend sifting through it, its enlightening!

After all this writing you would think my day would be over, that just brought us to 3pm!  We boarded buses at 5:30 and drove to Dealey Plaza, the site of the JFK assassination.  It was a somber spot for a dinner, in the floor above where Lee Harvey Oswald fired his shot.  The somber mood was quickly turned around by the beautiful sunset, the amazing food and the surprised and overjoyed faces of my colleagues as they learned about the University of Phoenix, Teach It Forward scholarship we get to give away to a student of a our choice.  It has everyone abuzz as we end for the evening, what a life changing gift we get to give.

What stuck with me the most today was a quote from George W. Bush.  If you know me, you are probably very confused that a quote from Bush was meaningful to me.  When asked many years ago about how much the war on terrorism was going to cost us, President Bush replied, "As much as it takes."  I would like to apply that quote to education.  First of all, can you imagine if our government or our country had that perspective on education?  How much will it cost to turn our schools around and not leave any child behind?  Shouldn't the answer be, "as much as it takes?"  How much should we as educators be willing to do to turn our profession into the most respected in the country?  Shouldn't the answer be, "as much as it takes?"  How much am I willing to do to have a positive impact on my students and help them move forward in their learning.  The answer is, as much as it takes!

Blinded By The Light

A few of my admirable peers: Hawaii, Alabama, Oregon, Nevada, Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska & Washington

I have been sitting here for over an hour trying to figure out how to express my reflections on my day.  It is times like these that I wish I was a wordsmith like my friend Erin!  Today was full of learning, inspiration and emotions.  The individuals I have met here are truly stellar educators that make me proud to be in their company.

I am thankful every moment for the support that has brought me here.  Representing Alaska is a surreal experience.  I am not sure I am the best representative but I am enthusiastically educating my peers about our great state.  I am up against a plethora of reality shows, but I think I am making progress!
As for my education today, I will try and summarize..

I learned that despite vast differences in demographics we have so many things in common across the states, many of them are the challenges we face with funding, assessments, evaluations and most importantly struggling students.  I learned that we are all here, not because we are the best of the best, but rather that we reflect what is best for our students.  We are diverse in our content yet we all share a common vision of creating a safe and caring classroom environment in which we can foster critical thinking, appreciation for self, appreciation for learning and most importantly life.

I also learned that together we have the will and the voice to be agents of change.  Tomorrow we will be exploring how to make our voices heard to work toward positive growth for our profession.  Sarah Brown Wessling, the 2010 National Teacher of the Year told us that we all reflect the light of our students and peers and I truly feel blinded.

I will close by sharing that Minnesota made us all laugh, Tennessee made us all cry, Illinois has Jedi powers, and middle school English teachers rock...

Sharing A Cab With A National Finalist

I wondered which State TOY I would meet first.  I walked out of Dallas Fort Worth airport into the balmy 65 degree weather and to my cab.  I must have had the teacher look on because immediately the man across from me said "which state are you?"  I think I will simply be known here as Alaska - and that is okay with me...
It turns out that the gentleman is Alvin Davis, a music teacher in Florida, who I recognized immediately as one of the four national finalists they announced last week.  We had a great ride chatting with each other and a friendly clothing designer sharing the cab with us.  It turns out Alvin has been on sabbatical since August serving his duties as Florida teacher of the year.  He has been touring districts, meeting with senators and generally getting involved in a lot of education funding and policy for his state.  I was in awe of his duties!
We arrived at our hotel with some down time before our registration.  I was left humbled after only meeting 1 and I have 53 more to go.  I am ready though and very proud to be "Alaska."
On another note, Alvin did ask me what the main food was in Alaska...
I said salmon of course:)

Congratulations to the 4 National Finalists!

The official press release came out from D.C. this morning.  The 4 National finalists are Gay Barnes from AL, Rebecca Lynn Mieliwocki from CA, Angela Wilson from the Department of Defense - currently teaching in Italy, and Alvin Aureliano Davis from FL. 
I am sure they are all quite overwhelmed at the idea of being National Teacher of the Year, as I can only imagine the feelings I felt as a state finalist magnified tenfold.   They will be interviewing in March and the announcement comes in April during our Washington D.C. trip.  President Obama will name the National teacher in the Rose Garden after we each individually get to meet him in the Oval Office - what a dream!
In just a few days I get to meet these fabulous 4 as well as 51 other outstanding teachers in Dallas.  We are already starting to communicate via a National Teacher of the Year online network.  Get ready for a lot of posts from my daily learning!

A Community Celebration To Kick Off The Year

Alaska Commissioner of Education Mike Hanley presents me with an award.

I started my tenure as Teacher of the Year today with an amazing community celebration this morning.  The Commissioner of Education honored us with his presence in snow-bound Cordova and presented me with a wonderful plaque and clock.  I was so flattered by such a supportive community attendance and overwhelmed by the well wishes as I start my amazing year. 

4 Alaska Teacher's of the Year and 3 are from Cordova! Patricia Truman 2001, Jerry Bendzak 1984, Myself and Trudy Bendzak 1975

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am thrilled to represent our community and State as I begin my travels for the National Teacher of the Year program.  The Dallas trip is fast approaching and I am excited to meet all the other teachers from around the country.  I have a feeling it will be inspiring and humbling at the same time!