"A true journey of discovery lies not in seeking new shores but in finding new eyes." ~ Marcel Proust
This morning we went to the Department of Education to "speak" policy. I was looking forward to this - we all hoped to have an opportunity to ask questions and share our thoughts on the Blueprint. Unfortunately it turned out to be more of a lecture and regurgitation of what we have already read or heard. An opportunity missed for both the Department and the Teachers of the Year but the day was to get much more exciting... Today was the BIG day - we were off to the White House to meet the President. What will I wear to meet the President? What will I say? This was one of my most thrilling experiences. We were lined up in order by our states and as we waited Bo came out to greet us. I am sure my fifth graders will be more excited about my petting the first dog than my meeting the President. We entered the West Wing and waited for our moment in the Oval Office to meet, shake hands and have an official photo taken with President Obama. As I walked in and looked around I wanted to pinch myself! He was so friendly, warm and funny. Next my name and state was announced as I walked out the door onto the steps of the presidential podium into the Rose Garden. Second to my wedding, it was the most exciting walk down the aisle ever. I was thrilled to see my friend, Sarah Wessling, accept her award as National Teacher of the Year. I am proud to call her a friend and colleague. Finally I spent some time interviewing with the press, later learning that I had been on Channel 5 news.
The celebration ended with a night tour of the monuments sponsored by Target. We were so tickled to see our buses arrive emblazoned with signs announcing us. It was great fun and a true happy ending to a fairy
tale.
Today we had some free time so my daughter Jillian and I went to the Holocaust Museum and the Museum of American History. What a contrast.. In the Holocaust Museum it was silent as we moved along with others remembering such a somber time in history. I was particularly struck by the room filled with shoes Jews removed when they entered the camps or the striped uniforms Jews were forced to wear. I have read so many books about the Holocaust but they never gave me the same sorrowful feelings I had today. By contrast who can resist stopping to see Dorothy's shoes or Lincoln's hat? Who would not be astounded, as we
were, by the sheer size of the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner. Realia is so very important in teaching - we must strive to make the learning experiential and real. I am so excited with the prospect of more work with the Smithsonian to make this happen for children.Tonight was the gala black tie ball to celebrate all of the teachers of the year and to
formally announce my friend, Sarah Brown Wessling, as the new 2010
National Teacher of the Year. I am so proud to call her my colleague. It was a wonderful time to celebrate with family and friends and hear from Arne Duncan, Randi Weingarten and our sponsors Target and ING.
Today we left our hotel really early to head to Arlington, VA for the Smart offices. We spent the day training on the newest technology soon to be released. Imagine being able to sync my computer to all my students so I can send them websites and assignments all at the same time or being able to communicate with their computers in real time. On the way home we stopped to take a group photo at the Iwo Jima monument. I couldn't believe how big it was It was a very full day that ended with a lovely dinner for us and our families sponsored by Smart. They treated us to a video of all Teachers of the Year receiving their respective awards and with their current students. It was so fun to share the other parts of our lives.
Today was an amazing day...It began bright and early at the Smithsonian Castle where we were divided into groups to visit one of the 19 different museums. I was lucky enough to go to the National Zoo. We spent the morning looking at ways we can use museums for authentic learning. How better to have students understand man's influence on our environment than seeing the Bali Myna, a beautiful white bird just about extinct because they are caught, caged and live in Balinese homes serving as a sign of wealth. A Bali Myna can bring a poacher $10-20,000 apiece. We participated in behavior watches of the amazing birds to the right. They are relentless nesters - no matter how many times curators remove their nests, they rebuild. They are like teachers, no matter how many times the rules in education change, teachers rebuild their curriculums and teaching practices. The Smithsonian has invited all teachers of the year to become Smithsonian Ambassadors - we will help to improve the dissemination of their vast collections. This is an exciting opportunity for us.
This afternoon was just incredible. We boarded buses heading to the Naval Observatory for a reception with Dr. Jill Biden, wife of the vice president. Once there the secret service boarded the bus to check our credentials and we were ushured into the Naval Observatory's Library to wait for the buses to be searched by dogs! The library is an amazing collection of books on astronomy and they have original books written by Galileo and Isaac Newton! Since highlighters were not yet invented, readers actually drew fingers pointing to the important parts.
Once everyone was cleared we reboarded the buses to head to the Vice Presidential Residence. Dr. Biden was so lovely. A teacher herself she spoke of the effects teachers can have on our nation's children. Her speech was affirming to all of us. Later after tea sandwiches and lemonade served in the Biden's living and dining rooms we were surprised with the arrival of the Vice President. He spoke to us and shook everyone's hand. He posed for a photo op with the group and even boarded our bus to say goodbye. Videos to come tomorrow courtesy of my new Flip video camera - a gift from Target! Tomorrow we are off to a day of Smart training!
The week has officially begun and I have the sore feet to prove it! I spent the afternoon with a mobile view of the city courtesy of my sister-in-law Laurie. She deposited me at the hotel this afternoon where I met up with fellow TOYs from NC and LA. We took a long walk past the White House just as President Obama's three helicopters were landing! After making it to the Washington Monument we decided that our feet had had enough and we took the Metro back. One by one my fellow TOYs from across the nation made it to the lobby for a festive reunion. I am so energized by the electricity in the group. Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day!
I am getting excited to join my fellow STOYs in Washington next Sunday but not nearly as excited as my grandmother! Grandma Vera turned 103 years old in February and she reminded me this afternoon, as she has during every conversation we've had since I became a STOY, that she has seen 18 different presidents. She has also shared some of the things she would tell Barack Obama if she were meeting him. Number one on her list Mr President, teachers should be paid more money.
Go Grandma!
Hammer? Check! Boots? Check! Waiver? Check! I was packed up and ready to pick up my friend, Lisa this morning. We were headed off to Millbury to help build a house for Habitat for Humanity with other Framingham teachers through a project sponsored by the Framingham Teacher's Association. Did anyone read about this in the paper? Has
anyone read
anything positive about a teacher's union lately? I was so proud to be working alongside other dedicated teachers who woke up at 6:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning, drove forty-five minutes down the Mass. Pike and were energized and happy just to do something good for another family they didn't even know. This would only be surprising to someone who didn't know a teacher. For those who do, you know that this story is simply an outgrowth of what happens each and every day in classrooms around our country: teachers giving back to their communities. Lisa and I spent the day spackling the walls of bedrooms in which young children would soon live and grow and I couldn't help but think of the correlation to our "day jobs." So much of what we do has nothing to do with math, science, social studies and language arts. It has nothing to do with test scores, assessments and data. So much of teaching has to do with creating classrooms where students are safe, cared for and free to grow and learn. We strive to ensure that our students have homes, food, and clothing. Teachers serve as role models to help students navigate through the world towards becoming good citizens.
Our classrooms - true habitats for humanity.
This morning we went to the Department of Education to "speak" policy. I was looking forward to this - we all hoped to have an opportunity to ask questions and share our thoughts on the Blueprint. Unfortunately it turned out to be more of a lecture and regurgitation of what we have already read or heard. An opportunity missed for both the Department and the Teachers of the Year but the day was to get much more exciting... Today was the BIG day - we were off to the White House to meet the President. What will I wear to meet the President? What will I say? This was one of my most thrilling experiences. We were lined up in order by our states and as we waited Bo came out to greet us. I am sure my fifth graders will be more excited about my petting the first dog than my meeting the President. We entered the West Wing and waited for our moment in the Oval Office to meet, shake hands and have an official photo taken with President Obama. As I walked in and looked around I wanted to pinch myself! He was so friendly, warm and funny. Next my name and state was announced as I walked out the door onto the steps of the presidential podium into the Rose Garden. Second to my wedding, it was the most exciting walk down the aisle ever. I was thrilled to see my friend, Sarah Wessling, accept her award as National Teacher of the Year. I am proud to call her a friend and colleague. Finally I spent some time interviewing with the press, later learning that I had been on Channel 5 news. 
