The Gala - DC Style

On Wednesday the National Teacher of the Year, Tony Mullen was honored along with all the State Teachers of the Year at a Gala. This was an amazing evening as it was sort of like "prom for adults" or maybe a better description is the Tony Awards, People's Choice Awards, and the Grammy's for education all wrapped up into one event. We had drinks and unbelievable appetizers at a reception first, followed by a meal that I don't see often - course after course of food that was delicious. Check the menu out:

Chateau St. Michelle Pinot Gris 2007
Cline Cellars Syar 2006
A Trio of Spring Cobblers with Sweet Cream Ice Cream
Chocolate Lace Lollipops, Praline Bon Bons, Cherry Truffles, Orange Coconut Tuiles

We were each introduced by state, stood, and received recognition. We then ate and after each serving, we had speakers....with the highlight being Secretary Arne Duncan and our own NTOY, Tony Mullen. Here is the order of who spoke:
Jon Quam, Director of the NTOY Program
Gene Wilhoit, Executive Director of Council of Chief State School Officers
Arne Duncan - United States Department of Education



Randi Weingarten, President American Federation of Teachers (pictured above)
Lily Eskelson, Vice President of National Education Association
T. Kenneth James, President Council of Chief State School Officers and Arkansas Commissioner of Education
Betty Steinberg, Superintendent Greenwich School District
Mark McQuillan, Commissioner of Education, Connecticut
Catherine Smith, CEO of ING

Tony Mullen, 2009 NTOY

Talking about kids with Lily after the banquet

Although it sounds like a lot of people to speak the night flew as each were gifted speakers and had powerful messages for everyone. The ones who spoke to my heart were Secretary Duncan, Lily Eskelson, and of course, Tony! Secretary Duncan challenged us to break new ground in education to combat the drop-out rate, to think differently than what we have in the past, and shared where education in America is compared to other nations. He even talked about having a goal of recruiting and RETAINING teachers - my passion! And, I personally loved this quote about our educational system:

"We have not served all communities equally.This is nothing less than a fight for social justice."

Lily and I after the Gala was over. She was very engaging.

Lily Eskelson, also a former TOY, told a story about her elementary school organizing a blood drive for a child and how authentic learning is what sparks children...she also had much humor and spoke from her heart. Tony - well Tony was simply amazing. He shared stories of his own students struggling to make it in a system that often gave up on them, dismissed their ability, judged them and said to them, "we are done with you." He shared how as educators, we don't get to be "done with them" and every child has something valuable within. It is our duty, our calling to find it. It is not only the moral and right thing to do but also is an economic investment. Tony will be a great voice for all educators and an advocate for ALL students. Safe travels, my friend!

OUR VOICE for the year - Tony Mullen