Chiefs Game

10 Degrees with a -12 Degree Wind Chill. Let me tell you there aren't enough layers of clothing that can keep you warm when it is that cold! However, my trip to the KC Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins football game at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, December 21st was full of fun and excitement. Each year the KC Chiefs recognize the Kansas and Missouri Teachers of the Year at a football game. This Sunday's game was listed as the 2nd coldest game played in KC...but getting to meet Margaret Williams, the Missouri Teacher of the Year, (pictured above) along with a number of KC Chiefs former players and dignitaries more than made up for the weather. Every Chief Ambassador I met made sure to mention how teachers and coaches made a positive difference in their lives. It is incredible that these successful individuals recognize what great teachers are doing across the United States. For every player out there on the field, there are many coaches behind them. Think how many teachers/coaches it takes to develop those athletes - Salvation Army Coaches, Middle School and High School to College coaches. Some of the best teachers I have ever met are coaches! In fact, all great teachers are coaches at heart.

I want to thank David Lindstrom, Secretary/Treasurer of the KC Chiefs Ambassadors, for being a wonderful host at the game. David was responsible for organizing the pregame recognition program for me and Margaret. Prior to the ballgame, David met us at the Ambassadors Tent and introduced us to a number of former Chiefs players. Larry Marshall (pictured left), President of the Ambassadors, made us all feel very welcome and appreciated. The Ambassador program is an amazing organization. They promote goodwill in the community and assist in any way they can in helping achieve the goal of maintaining consistent quality football for the Kansas City Chief's fans. The Ambassadors are a close-knit group made up of former Kansas City Chiefs, some of whom starred in the Chiefs' only Super Bowl win. (learn more about this organization at: http://www.kcambassadors.com/) This was a highlight for my two sons who were able to get autographs and to talk to these players about their careers. A bit later, David escorted us to the field and we got an upclose look at the pregame warmup activities for both teams. If you've ever wondered, those benches the players sit on are heated and they really do warm up your backside! (That is me doing just that in the picture).

The TOY recognition took place just before the start of the game. Margaret and I were escorted to the 50 yard line and the public announcer made a short presentation Margaret is a high school social science teacher from University City High School. She was named TOY in August and has been traveling her state AND still maintains her teaching job this year. Margaret was amazed (and a bit jealous) that my district provides a substitute for me 2nd semester.
While the Chiefs ended up losing the football game, the entire day was a fantastic experience. I am amazed at the "spectacle" that is a professional football game...the players, coaches, cheerleaders, mascots and of course, the colorful fans. What a great example of a Professional Learning Community - all working towards one goal. I know that most of my future appearances will require me to do more work, so this was a great way to "kick off" the KTOY program.

Oh - and thanks mom for making my Chief's scarf!

Finals

At the end of the semester, we give "finals." Being a math teacher and a big fan of data, we track the data from our course finals over the last 5 years. We can evaluate, as instructors, what indicators are weak and need more work and what indicators students mastered. Looking at the data as a group, though ,we lose what all those numbers mean for each student. For instance, we had a student that failed both 1st and 2nd quarters, but passed the final with a C. What does this mean for what the student learned/mastered? Should they pass the course because they demonstrated some mastery on the final test? Does one test determine mastery? We often say one test is not a good measure of their learning if they fail...does the same logic hold true if they pass? I consider every student one of my own kids. It is a difficult thing to tell a student they failed. Especially when the student studied and worked hard to pass. These are lessons that are not any fun to learn or teach. Teachers across our state are making those teaching decisions every day. Parents and students across the state are having to live with our decisions too. I wonder if the students know how much sleep I (and every teacher) lose over these situations. It was hard to leave for Christmas break with my last contact telling a student they failed (or is it I who failed the student?).

My New Team Teacher

As Kansas Teacher of the Year, I get the opportunity to travel around the state speaking to various groups of people. It is exciting and overwhelming at the same time to look at my calendar over the next few months. I see many events that are way outside my comfort zone but also know that is the only way I will grow and learn. I must get comfortable being uncomfortable!

My first "official" appearance is this weekend at the Kansas City Chiefs game - they will be recognizing me and the Missouri Teacher of the Year at half-time. I must say getting a phone call from David Lindstrom, a former Chiefs player, at my home the other night was pretty darn exciting. He is providing the tickets and is also getting us side line passes along with tickets to a tailgate party. If you are a teacher, you know we are pretty easy to please. You could give us a free pen and we think we have won the lottery - so I am almost giddy looking forward to this weekend. Sure hope it isn't too cold!!!

Today I received some great news! My district found a wonderful man, Mr. Darrow, to team teach with me second semester. He has taught Calculus before and is excited to take over my classes when I am gone. Truly amazing to find someone in the middle of the year, licensed in mathematics, and has even taught using the same text I am using??!! I have mixed emotions about turning my classes over to someone. My students are like my own children and it is so hard to give them to someone else for even a little while. I think this "control issue" may be why I rarely call in sick to school!!! Just thinking that I will miss out on all the events happening in their lives when I am gone makes me sad. This really hit hard today as Cody, a young man I have 2nd hour, asked out the girl sitting next to him. I thought quietly to myself; I will miss hearing how the date went and all the excitement that goes with high school students. So for the next few days, I am going to soak up all their energy that I can!!! Mr. Darrow is one lucky man.

Free free to post comments!  I'd love to hear from you all!

Meet the Team

Standing Left to Right: Cindy Venard, Walt Cochran, Dr. Alexa Posny, Dr. Diane DeBacker, Dale Dennis, Mary Bradshaw. Sitting Left to Right: Jennifer Hartman, Mary Martha Good, Cindy Couchman, Julie Miller, and Marilyn Fox.

Wow! And so the adventure begins!! We are the Kansas Teacher of the Year Team...and we are true to the word TEAM. We each bring our own passions, experiences and personalities to the group but the one thing that unites is our commitment to students and the education profession. We will each contribute to the blog, updating everyone on our visits across the state of Kansas. The members of the KTOY Team are: Mary Martha Good (Eldorado), Mary Bradshaw (Newton), Walt Cochran (Gardner-Edgerton), Julie Miller (Paola), Jennifer Hartman (Desoto), Cindy Venard (Dodge City), Marilyn Fox (Manhattan), and myself - Cindy Couchman (Buhler).