An Amazing Gift

A week has passed since my trip to Fairbanks, and I am now sitting in Washington, D.C. getting this post written.  I was home for 3 days and barely had enough time to check in with my classes before leaving again for 10 days - phew!

Part of the incredible honor of being Teacher of the Year is getting the opportunity to give away a full tuition scholarship ($60,000) for the University of Phoenix to a person of our choice!  Back in November, when I first won the award, I had a conversation with the 2011 Teacher of the Year and she told me about FEA, Future Educators of Alaska.  FEA is modeled after the national Future Educators Association, which is operated by Phi Delta Kappa International.  In Alaska the effort focuses on inspiring Alaska Native youth to pursue careers in education.  FEA is unique in that it has culture-based activities from around the state.  Currently there are 60 clubs in the state representing over half of our school districts.  Last year the Teacher of the Year worked through FEA to give her scholarship away and encouraged me to do the same. 

I recognize the importance of growing more teachers from our state for our state and decided to work with FEA for my scholarship give away!   I worked with FEA starting in January to develop the scholarship application and have it sent out to all the advisors.  In March, the deadline arrived and I began reading applications.  I was invited to Fairbanks for the annual FEA gathering to give a keynote speech and to present the surprise scholarship winner. 

It was wonderful to see the gathering of diverse students from around the state.  Over 150 students attended with their coordinators and they were excited about there visit to Fairbanks.  My keynote speech was about 20 minutes long and despite a few technical difficulties (now speaker sound, no remote control access and having to sit in front of the computer) I think it was well received.  I was definitely more nervous keeping the attention of this audience than I was at the legislature!

The moment finally came at the end of my speech, in which I wasn't sure how I would get through the emotional feelings.  My teaching journey has been amazingly fulfilling allowing me to
interact and make an impression on thousands of students.  However, that day was one of the most rewarding days of my career.  I was giving the most amazing gift a teacher can give. The gift of education!  Good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher and I was moved as I read the candidates essays as her identity and integrity came shining through.  Her name is Isabella Booth and she is from the small town of Metlakatla, in southeast Alaska. 

Isabella was shocked and overwhelmed as I presented the award to her.  She is passionate about becoming a middle school special education teacher and working with Alaska Native youth in her future. 

It was thrilling to speak to a group of youth who are enthusiastic about education.  I shared with them my teaching story and I hope that as they listened they began to envision a positive passionate teaching story of your own!