The End is the New Beginning

All across the state, the school year is winding down. (cue music) The Final Countdown has begun! The cycle of beginning and ending each year is one of the best parts of teaching. Getting to witness student's growth both academically and socially is so rewarding. Today was my seniors last day. It is always an amazing day to be at school...the energy in the building is almost palpable. Even teachers who don't have seniors feel the effects of the enthusiasm that comes about when the seniors know they are ending a part of their life they can never go back to and embark on an adventure that is unknown, scary, and exciting. For me, I need the closure of saying goodbye to each one of them. It is a day of bittersweet joy. I worry about them like they are my own. I want them to be safe, find their path in life, and mostly, be happy. Sometimes, they come back and visit with me -one of the very BEST parts of teaching - and share their successes, failures, and goals with me. I grow and learn from each visit. It reminds me that teachers can not predict where their lives will take them and how their paths may change from when they leave our classrooms. It reminds me to accept students where they are, help them grow, guide them as they struggle, support them as they fail, celebrate with them when they succeed, and then stand back and watch as they "bloom where they are planted." Being a teacher is much like being a parent - only I have 120 babies. I am so proud of each one of them.
I hope they come back and see me......

Buhler School District USD 313

Rosemary Miller and Mary Frazier, Technology Integration Specialists, sharing the Technology in Buhler

What a bitter/sweet trip we made to Buhler, Kansas, USD 313, on Thursday, May 7 & Friday, May 8. This was our LAST site visit for our team:( BUT we have seen so many AMAZING districts, schools, and teachers; but more importantly hundreds of truly great kids:)!

We began our visit Thursday, by meeting with Rosemary Miller and Mary Frazier, Technology Integration Specialists for "Team Buhler". They went over their recipe book for "leading teachers and administrators toward seamless infusion of technology into the learning environment." It was amazing to listen to them share how two schools in their district are now Technology Rich Classrooms, providing a 2 to 1 student laptops, interactive whiteboards, iPods, GPS, etc. etc. etc...WOW!

John Knapp explaining Senior Projects

Buhler Grade School has "Target Tuesdays", where they are able to 'target' individual student needs in math, by utilizing every adult in their building; allowing for smaller groups of students to work on their specific needs as determined by the Kansas Assessments. Three 6th grade students shared some of the activities they have enjoyed this year, including Google Sketch Up 7.

Later Thursday, we toured the Kansas Underground Salt Museum, which is located 650 feet below Hutchinson, Kansas. This is an active salt mine that has been carved from salt deposits formed 275 million years ago.

Friday morning began at Buhler High School, learning about their Senior Projects, which have been an evolving project over the last 14 years! We were privileged to be able to grade one round of presentations. We listened as Buhler seniors presented topics such as Professional Photography, Directing Theatre, Using Harmonics on Guitar, Oboe Magic, Angelman Syndrome, Music: A Lifelong Pursuit, Radiology Technician, and Falling with Style. It was obvious a lot of "blood, sweat, and tears" went into their presentations. Way to go SENIORS!

Next we went to Obee Grade School for a quick tour, and then out to the playground with a group of students to go "Geocaching." Several 4th students showed us how they could read a GPS, find the coordinates, locate their 'cache', and together we solved some 5th grade math problems! (Check Walt and his student escort winning the race to find a cache!)

Lunch was at the Dillon Nature Center. Randy Doerksen, Principal, Prosperity Grade School shared with us that USD 313 is in their first year of implementing Character Counts! Two students also shared with us how this program has influenced their lives. While we ate, we were entertained by the Prairie Hills Middle School Cougars singers. WOW! They could sing and dance at the same time! Talk about an aerobic workout! Way to Go kids!

Our day ended at Prairie Hills Middle School, with a presentation on "Quantum Learning" by principal Craig Williams and math teacher Bev Lund. What a powerful learning tool! Be sure to check it out!

WOW! We have literally traveled from one end of the state to the other! We have all be absolutely amazed at how different all of our districts are, but yet how similar we are; we have hard working teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and volunteers doing what needs to be done to make Kansas Kids the best in the nation!

The Team is caught "monkeying" around at Obee!

Posted by: Cindy Venard

What would YOU say?

Secretary Arne Duncan and myself at the Gala

All the State Teachers of the Year got to meet with the US Department of Education while we were in DC. I think this was the first time the DOE has met with the STOY since Clinton's administration. We were led by teaching fellow, Stephanie Canada, who was a 2008 OK TOY. We divided into groups to answer different questions...how to get the most "bang for your buck" with the stimulus dollars to how to better improve data and assessments. The DOE really listened....I mean they REALLY LISTENED. They sat, took notes, asked us a few clarifying questions, and seemed genuinely interested in teacher's opinions. Novel thought, huh? Tony Miller, nominee for Deputy Secretary of Education, was on the panel and addressed our group of TOY's. There are some people you just get the feeling they are genuine when you meet them and Tony is one of them.

Tony Miller addressing the STOY's at the US Dept. of Education

Education is about to get some "one time" money pumped into it...like $650 million. It sounds like a lot of money but I suppose by the time you divide it among the states that accept it, the money gets quite a bit less. I am fearful about the "one time" money...yes, I want it but am fearful. I almost feel like it is setting us up to lose. Schools can't really spend it creating new programs to address student learning as the money isn't coming again and there would be nothing to sustain the program. So how can we best invest it? Should we invest it in updating our facilities to make them more efficient, thereby saving money on energy that could be used for years to come? BUT what if we get this money and in one or two years, scores don't improve? Will policy makers say, "See, educators want more money...we gave it to them and scores still didn't improve!" A one time monetary investment may not be enough to make sweeping changes in student learning - especially if we can't maintain those programs financially. Even if we invest the money in professional development, excellent PD must be systemic and continuous. You wouldn't want your doctor to be allowed to attend PD only ONE time a year would you?? Why is any other profession different?
So - what would you tell the DOE if they asked what needs to be changed in NCLB, how to best spend the stimulus money, should we have national standards? Be ready to answer those questions because Secretary Arne Duncan is traveling to different states with questions in hand and he wants - and is going to listen to - our answers. Some of our answers included having national standards, fewer standards, spending money on quality assessments, recruiting and retaining teachers and performance pay. What if Secretary Duncan showed up in your classroom tomorrow, what would YOU answer?

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

Washington DC Recognition Week

President Obama with Tony Mullen, 2009 National Teacher of the Year

All State Teachers of the Year are being honored this week in Washington DC and the highlights have been the private reception at Vice President's Joe Biden's home hosted by his amazing wife, Dr. Jill Biden. She "gets teachers" as she is a current teacher and actually returned to her classroom just 4 days after the election. WOW!!! (The STOY's are now big fans of Dr. Biden as you can see when you watch the video of us when she comes out for our recognition at the Rose Garden). So...that brings me to the BIG EVENT - The White House!!!

Getting ready for a group shot with the President and his wife

We were individually recognized in the Rose Garden and then President Obama introduced the National Teacher the Year, Tony Mullen from Connecticut. It was a surreal experience meeting and shaking the hands of Michelle Obama (who got almost more of a welcome than her husband), Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Dr. Biden, and of course, the President! We stood on the steps behind the President and Tony as they addressed the crowd, media, and STOY's. You can barely see me, but if you look closely, I am standing directly behind Arne Duncan - over his right shoulder at the very end of the second row. Good luck finding me. It was broadcast live on C-Span.

The President took the time to personally thank us and shake each of our hands.

I was amazed how much media were there that follow the President around plus some memories such as the security, social secretary (who was very gracious), Secret Service, waiter wearing white gloves who brought out bottled water for the President on a silver platter, the teleprompters, the Oval Office, one of us falling off the steps into the bushes, one of us losing a button (and using gum to hold the jacket together), and one of us tripping as we walked out.
However, all of that will fade from my memory but Tony's message must continue with all of us: Passion, Professionalism, and Perseverance. The one that continues to resonate with me is Perseverance. In the times of budget cuts, teachers having to take on more work, more students without lowering expectations, we must persevere. Teachers must never give up on students, seek out the students that need us most, be THEIR voice, THEIR advocate and PERSEVERE - it is what Tony challenges us to do. Do you accept his challenge? I do!

Me on the steps of the White House with the Oval Office behind me.

Tigers and Redskins

The Team with the FHSU Tiger!

The KTOY Team visited Fort Hays State University and were excited to visit with a group of future teachers. During one of our activities, I circulated around listening to their excitement and fear about becoming a teacher. There are many commonalities in their answers at all our college visits. Their excitement is usually getting the opportunity to make a difference in student's lives...usually followed by an apology for being so cliche. No need to apologize - if that isn't your number one motivation for becoming a teacher, you are probably in the wrong profession. So say it with pride, with excitement and with passion. YES - you will make a difference because you WANT to! (left: Mary Martha talking to a FHSU student)


That evening I was invited to speak at the Academic Banquet for Little River High School students. The night was great as I got to see some old friends there and some of my wonderful friends and colleagues drove to Little River to hear me speak (or at least that is what I am telling myself....they might have made the trip as grandma works there). The food was great (can you say cheesecake?) and the students were amazing! They sat on the FRONT ROW of the auditorium without even be asked to! High school students are "my people" - who I am comfortable with. They were great sports about getting involved and gave me such energy being around them. Man, I miss my students! I drove home thinking "I love high school students!" No matter how tired teachers are, when we get around excited, energetic students, we get to "feed off" their energy. We have the BEST JOB ever as teachers.

Me with Principal, Dawn Johnson, and LRHS Honor Students

I was pretty pumped afterwards when Dawn Johnson, principal at Little River, gave me an IPodNano in K-State Purple as a gift for speaking! I lost all sense of composure and did my "happy dance" that I usually reserve for only my students (it isn't real pretty to watch). I don't have an IPod of any sort and have been wanting one for a long time so this was like Christmas....but it gets better! My name is on the back of it AND it is pre-loaded with some incredible books to listen to while I travel. Some I have read and loved so much I will listen to them again but most I have not had the chance of reading and look forward to getting to "read" them. Ms. Johnson, YOU ROCK!!! And so do your students!!!!!!
Now, if I can just get my next presentation group to give me a running strap thingee for it.... :-)

Manhattan-Ogden Visit

I graduated (twice) from Kansas State University, so visiting the Manhattan-Ogden school district was like revisiting some of the best days of my life. Living in a college town is incredible and has so many opportunities for education, entertainment, and partnerships. Dr. Shannon shared with the Team about those great partnerships, the support of the community, and commitment to education everyone has in the area. The community just recently passed a bond issue for schools, a tax increase to support an education center at the Sunset Zoo, and just last week voted to support improvements on their public pools!!! Coming from a district that the community has failed to pass a bond issue, this really spoke volumes to me. Dr. Shannon said it all when he stated, "This community values education." At this reception, I got to visit with the 1987 KTOY, Chris Chalender. After being named KTOY, she decided teachers needed more recognition and raised the money to create the Hubbard Foundation. Thanks to her vision and perseverance (and quite a bit of charisma), the 2009 KTOY Team is able to have the opportunities serving as spokespeople for educators that she never had. So, thank you, Chris! (Chris and I pictured to the right)

Speaking of the Zoo, we spent an amazing morning there learning about the new center (model pictured below). The education and outreach programs the Zoo conducts are amazing. Last year, the staff reached 40,000 people in the community of 53,000. The summer programs, school programs, volunteer programs are teaching tolerance, conservation awareness, and how to protect our animals. We were fortunate enough to get to watch the chimpanzees. It was hard to leave the exhibit after watching the "baby" chimp with her mom. We will all be back I am sure.
KSU College of Education sponsored lunch for the Team and we got to hear more about the partnership between the college and the school district. KSU spends $400,000 placing faculty members full-time in the public schools supervising their student teachers and block students. This win-win partnership is preparing our future educators in "real" classrooms with "real" students. Dr. Holen, Dean of Education, and his committed faculty have led the Department with a vision of that is reaping its benefits with quality educators entering our profession (a little purple pride coming out there -sorry).

The Team with our gracious hosts, Dean Holen, Associate Dean Wissman, and Assistant Dean Burden

After lunch, the Team got to go observe those block students from KSU doing a lesson. WOW - talk about impressive!! I observed 3 students doing a probability lesson using the Price Is Right! games. They had technology, manipulatives, guided notes, a scripted lesson plan, and tied it to state indicators. It was humbling to take in how much time and energy went into this lesson and made me silently recommit to coming up with creative lessons. By the way, the students emailed me the entire presentation....they are already TEAM players and willing to share! (pictured at left are the KSU students in action)

Probably one of the most "moving" experiences we have had as a Team, came at Anthony Middle School. The advanced English students under the guidance of Leslie Pickler, created a Holocaust Museum. This has to be the best example of 21st Century Learning Skills I have seen. She gave her students the theme, "Remembering the Past, Protecting the Future" and let the groups decide their own topic related to that theme, decide how they would present it, and then create the display. They also have to write a research paper. If you have had the opportunity to visit the Holocaust Museum in DC, it was a similar experience visiting the room they created. Few of us talked during our tour, if we did, we whispered. There were some stories I read that made me cry and as I read, I thought of all the students that would come through this exhibit, how they would feel, and what they would remember. POWERFUL!