A Celebration of Teaching and Learning

We go to work every day immersed in our classrooms and schools, immersed in the work we do best -  educating children.  Each day we strive to stroke our students, to make them feel good about themselves, to make them feel confident to celebrate their learning but who does that for us?  We know that collaboration and professional development is important for the professional growth of teachers which will in turn result in better educators, which will in turn result in better educated children but sadly it doesn't happen nearly enough.  Yesterday was an exception.  Yesterday I attended the Celebration of Teaching and Learning in New York City.  The conference is New York's way to both honor teachers in the Empire State (like my fellow STOY from New York Debbie Calvino), and to bring them together for professional development that will help them grow professionally.  What a privilege it was to attend.  Queen Noor speaking on tolerance and compassion reminded us that all human beings share 99.9 of the same DNA so we are really more alike than different, Bobby McFerrin reminded us that there are  many different kinds of learning and ways to learn with his amazing musical talent and at the end of the day, Queen Latifah and a panel of New York high school students shared their feelings about school, testing and teachers - reminding us of the impact we can have on young people.  There are so many innovative and exciting things happening in teaching.  Spending the day attending workshops was exhilarating - did you know that with Verizon's Thinkfinity a student can perform a virtual heart transplant?  Check out Adobe 's Youth Voices - what would your students have to say?  With bags bulging with "stuff" I hopped in my cab, leaned back and smiled - it was a feel good day for this teacher.

My Hero...

Several years ago I read a book called Skellig to my fifth graders and coincidentally the author, David Almond came to Framingham later in the year. I got a bus and took the students to see him.   Twenty- two ten year olds sat in Barnes and Noble mesmerized and starstruck.  One student told me that he wasn't going to wash his hand because David Almond had shook it.  Authors can be heroes for young and old.   A Leap of Faith is one of my favorite books and Queen Noor of Jordan, has been one of my adult heroes.  Through her well crafted words she taught me what it means to be courageous, to be a strong woman.  She showed me that even in the face of loss, it is possible to go on and do good in the world.  I have long treasured my copy of her book so when I had the opportunity to see her in New York City at the Celebration of Teaching and Learning today there was no choice - I was on my way.  Queen Noor was gracious, intelligent, and inspiring; she did not let me down and although her security did not allow her to shake my hand it didn't matter; she spoke to me and yes, as you can see in my picture, here she is signing my book -- I will forever treasure that moment with my hero, Her Majesty Queen Noor.