R.E.S.P.E.C.T. - Find Out What It Means To Me

It seems like the rest of the week would just go down hill from there, but it didn't!  We awoke early on Wednesday and headed to Rosslyn, Virginia for our Smartboard training.  We got to learn about the newest software and cool updates and then we spent the afternoon working with our peers to create a presentations getting to play with the newest boards that were part of the TOY package.   I have decided to gift my package to Cordova School District, because I think it will serve the staff well here.  I hope to get to share all my learning before I leave as well.    As always, it was a blast working with the other science and math teachers and listening to the others creative presentations.  I am continuously awed at the caliber of my TOY peers!

It was our team's turn to present and of course several of our peers were chatting it up in the back of the class.  So I gave my best teacher look to get their attention.  Of course in typical student fashion, instead of behaving they took a picture of me and posted it on Facebook:)  Teachers are the worst students!

When we returned to the hotel we quickly transitioned to "glamor mode."  We got dressed up in our best clothes, my first time seeing John in a tuxedo, and got to get a professional picture taken.

 We all felt like we were at prom and even more so when we boarded our bus!  We arrived at the US Institute of Peace, a beautiful building and we were greeting with musicians, wine and some of the best hors d'oeuvres I have ever had (spoons of lobster in butter - yum!).   Our dinner was filled with amazing speakers that made me cry and feel so damn proud to be a teacher.  From Arne Duncan to the Vice President of NEA, Lily Eskelsen, to Rebecca, again making us so delighted that she is our voice. 

Thursday dawned with the wonderful arrival of my parents.  I was so happy to be able to introduce them to the other Teachers of the Year.   I am not sure they got to eat after touring them around the room.  After breakfast, I left John and my parents and headed out to a day full of Education Policy and Reform and hence you finally get to find out what it means to me...

The Department of Education hosted the TOY's in an amazing round table discussion about the RESPECT project that has been developed to help inspire conversation and future policy reform.  RESPECT stands for Recognizing Education Success, Professional Excellence, and Collaborative Teaching and it encompasses so much of what I believe needs to be involved for a sweeping transformation of our profession.  We were invited to give our critical feedback in small groups with a facilitator from the fellows that helped develop the project.  We then shared our group talking points with each other and realized we have a lot to do to continue the momentum beyond the day.  We have to carry the ideas to our schools, our communities and our states if we want to see this reform to fruition.   I am hopeful that the Education Policy workshop in July will further our discussion and work on the awesome project!

Didn't get a chance for a photo opp with Arne in the White House so when I found him standing in the hall of the Department of Education, I grabbed him!

I left DC already missing my friends and excited for our next time together.  They are 52 of the most positive and inspiring people I have ever met.  I am not sure I am able to fully reflect on my trip yet, as I am still quite jet lagged and possibly still a little adrenaline rushed.  For now it is back to reconnecting with my students (who I am excited to share my stories with) and of course mountains of grading!

Let Me Be Clear...It Can!

When I was 18 years old I went skydiving.  I jumped out of an airplane by myself and remember all my senses being overwhelmed.  The plane moved away from me in a blur as I fell and then my parachute opened.  When I touched down on the ground I had a smile stuck on my face for days.   Never had I experienced such a surge of adrenaline and emotions.   I would have to say meeting President Obama in the White House last week was a bit akin to my skydiving experience!

From the moment we lined up outside the gate to get in, we were all thrilled and excited and pinching each other to prove it was real.  The day before, they had lined us up by height, shortest was going to meet the President first.  Well, rain tends to change plans and it made the Rose Garden a bit too muddy for guests.  I was bummed not to get to see it, but it meant that the entire ceremony was inside the White House itself.  We entered the West room after wandering slowly upstairs, perusing the amazing pictures on the wall and taking time to use the bathroom.   In the West room we learned of the change of plans, the tallest was going first and the shortest last.  We lined up and because of my wonderful high heels, I ended up 4th:)  The TOY's from D.C., Nebraska and Iowa beat me out with their flats!  We were closed in the room and anxiously waiting the start of the ceremony, when Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education, came strolling through the line, shaking hands and striking up conversation.  We chatted for a bit about Alaska, that always seems to be a good conversation started!

A hush came over the room as we saw the President walk into the Red room and headed to the Blue room for our meet and greet.  The line began to move and my senses started to be overwhelmed!  We each were individually introduced to the President, he shook our hand, said a few words and then gave a nice hug for a picture.  Of course we only had one picture opportunity before being shuffled out to the East room for the ceremony, so I am now anxiously awaiting the pictures arrival, wondering what my face was doing at the peak of my adrenaline rush.  I don't quite remember walking out, other than that I almost tripped and fell when I entered the room, not on the steps I had to cross of course, but rather on nothing!

The crowd was big and the camera flashes were bigger.   We were all holding back tears the entire time.  Finally President Obama came out with Arne Duncan and took the stage with our most amazing National Teacher of the Year, Rebecca Mieliwocki.  President Obama and Rebecca gave awesome speeches which I hope you will check out at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOcA90SERk8 Of course since the cameras were right next to me, I am not in the video too much, but watch close and you will see me! 

I swear I did not Photoshop my head in here, I just circled it so you could see me:)

After it was done we got one final picture and then were shuffled back out.  

We paused in the Blue room again taking in the idea that we were looking out through the windows that millions look into.  As we were standing there, still in a daze, the Marine 1 helicopter began its approach.  We stood in awe as it landed right in front of the window and Obama boarded for his next meeting in North Carolina.  Wow.

After leaving the White House, I quickly headed back to the hotel to meet my appointments with Senator Begich and Murkowski at the Senate buildings next to the Capitol.  Looking back, I now realize I was still quite blurry-eyed during my meetings.  Too much to take in in one day.  I was really appreciative of the time that both Begich and Murkowski gave to me considering it was quite a busy day on the Hill and I gave them such short notice.  We were able to chat for few minutes and hopefully establish some contacts for future meetings in the fall when I am in Anchorage. 

The sunny day wrapped with me smiling and realizing how lucky I am to have been chosen as Teacher of the Year and to have the opportunities I have had.  It was a dream come true for me to meet the President, but it meant so much more to me that it was President Obama's hand that I was able to shake (and what a soft hand it was!).