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!