Dallas -- Day 5

Today I realized full tilt what it means to be the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. This morning we were honored to be addressed by Rick Melmer, the Dean of the School of Education at the University of South Dakota. At the conclusion of his speech he was moved to tears by our group and the passions we have for our students and the future face of education. Now I haven't seen many grown men cry in my lifetime, especially in my professional life so it really affected me. I know that I am certainly not by any means the "best" teacher in Massachusetts but I have been given a torch and a platform to be sure that the voices of my students, their parents and my colleagues can be heard. I am reminded yet again that I can be an inspiration to my colleagues to stand up and make their voices heard as well. Yes, Doug, we all have our stories and our passions and if we are truly to change the future of education we must be courageous enough to spread the word. When the faces and stories of our students are attached to legislative issues and policies they will become real and powerful. Who can do this better than teachers?

The week has gone fast and we have worked long and hard. Tonight it was time to celebrate together. We have become friends and we have learned that there is much we have in common and much that is different but we are all invested in our jobs and more importantly our students. Tony Mullen NTOY'09 spoke to us tonight. He also urged us to share the stories of our students. Hearing him speak about the students who have touched his life makes me proud to be a teacher. With each story he told us this week I have found myself standing a little taller. Thank you Tony, Kimberly, Mary Beth and Mike; yours are big shoes to fill. There is much to do but this evening as I go to sleep I know that I am ready.

Dallas -- Day 4

Well as you can see they do malls a little differently down here in Texas! Imagine ice skating at the Natick Mall? After spending the morning discussing trends worldwide, what the perfect schools might look like and sharing the perks (and lack of perks) of TOYS around the country we had a few hours off so we headed out for some fresh air at the mall! It was good to have a break and time to digest all the information we have been given. Tonight we are off for a fiesta of fun!

Dallas -- Day 3

Today was another busy day. In the morning we had sessions to acquaint us with all that is happening across the United States in education and in the afternoon the focus was more on current education legislation. After a delicious lunch sponsored by the newest CCSSO TOY sponsor Target, we heard about what will happen during our visits to Washington, D.C., Space Camp in Alabama, New Jersey and New York. We are all so excited! Here is a picture of the New England TOYs!

left to right: Craig (VT), Kristi (CT), Kevin (ME),
Dana (RI), Eric (NH), and me!

Tonight was an amazing night! We had dinner at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza! Does this sound familiar? This is the museum that was once called The Texas School Book Depository where Lee Harvey Oswald shot President Kennedy on November 22, 1963.
I stood here on the sixth floor at the window overlooking the grassy knoll and looked out onto the road Kennedy's limousine took that tragic day. It was so surreal and moving. We had another amazing dinner. To date I have tried chicken fried steak fingers and buttermilk pie but I cannot warm up to the seemingly endless "sweet tea" that they drink at every meal. Have you ever been treated to a cupcake bar? That was dessert tonight and I am happy to report that I exercised restraint and did not go there!

It has rained buckets all day long and believe it or not they are already canceling school in some places in Dallas due to the freezing they expect tomorrow morning, Can you imagine a snow day in Dallas? Or maybe it is an ice day!

Dallas -- Day 2

(from left to right: Donna (OR), Me(MA), Jackie(AK), Vandy(AR), and Megan(FL)

WOW! Today was jam packed with learning but I am "wicked Smahter" after a day long SMART board training. I even won a prize in SMART board Jeopardy! The best part of the day was preparing lessons with my new fourth and fifth grade TOYs, Jackie from Alaska, Megan from Florida, Vandy from Arkansas, and Donna from Oregon. (Pronounced "Oregin" as Donna corrected me!) We had so much fun! I learned that Jackie has 34 students in her class with ONE teacher!
Tonight our state coordinators arrived - Imagine I had to come all the way to Texas to see Deb Walker, my coordinator from Massachusetts. We all had a delicious dinner and were inspired by three former national teachers of the year: Mary Beth Blegen '1996, Kimberly Oliver Burnim '2006, and Mike Geisen '2008. They challenged us to think about who we are as teachers and as learners and what we will do as leaders as we go forward on this journey!
Tonight I am reflecting on all the wonderful students who have taught me so many things about what it really means to be a teacher. They have truly made me understand the responsibility that comes with my job and what can happen when we care about the children we are entrusted with each day. I thank each and every one of you. You have taught and continue to teach me what no college preparatory program could have taught me - powerful things can happen when we come together as a community of learners. This week I have seen this firsthand. As I go forward as the 2010 MA TOY, first and foremost in my mind will be what is good for our students. As the teacher of the year my audience may be larger than yours but I would like to challenge each and every one of you to ask yourself the very same question. How can you go forward as a leader in your classroom, in your school or in your district? We are the experts! We have a voice! Each of us has an opportunity to make a difference!

Dallas -- Page 1

Howdy Partners - I made it to sunny Dallas this afternoon. As you can see the acommodations are pretty nice. I was picked up by the hotel shuttle where I met the TOYs from New York and North Dakota. Tonight we had a welcome dinner and I sat next to Kelly Kovacic, TOY from California (a national finalist) and Maria Ornes from the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. She had to explain where the island she is from is located. It is inspiring to be in the company of so many passionate educators and a unique opportunity to share thoughts and issues. Tomorrow we will spend the day in smartboard training and from the materials they gave us it looks like it will be really helpful. There is an hour time difference here and it has been a long day. More tomorrow…

Dallas...Two weeks and counting

WOW! The list of 2010 TOYs is official and my mailbox has been flooded with congratulatory wishes from my fellow TOYs and last year's TOYs who all say that we are in for the experience of a lifetime. I am getting so excited to meet everyone in Dallas. It sounds like they have a great week planned for us! Stay tuned...