tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45179637633523771162024-03-21T11:49:23.522-07:00Keana Triplett: 2015 North Carolina Teacher of the YearAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700109149687783615noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517963763352377116.post-28893213421007608182016-03-31T04:38:00.000-07:002016-03-31T04:38:27.607-07:00The Mightiest Tool in Public Education<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-d30a93a5-cade-06a2-b2e7-65e7d1ed47c4"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the beginning of my year as the 2015-2016 North Carolina Teacher of the Year, I was <a href="http://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2015/04/09/new-nc-teacher-of-the-year-says-dismantling-the-teaching-fellows-program-one-of-biggest-mistakes-made-in-public-education/" target="_blank">quoted</a> as saying that one of the single biggest mistakes made in North Carolina was dismantling the North Carolina Teaching Fellows program. Nearing the end of my year, I couldn't agree with myself more. However, there are some things I would add. You see, recruiting is only half the battle. We must learn how to retain while developing a growth mindset in our educators. It is an uphill battle to keep high quality teachers in a state that fosters stagnation and encourages mediocrity through low pay and zero dollars allocated specifically for professional development.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This past fall, I had the privilege of visiting Pactolus Elementary School in Pitt County. I walked the halls of this once low-performing school which has overcome the label and the hardships of an impoverished community to exceed growth. As Steve Lassiter, 2015 North Carolina Principal of the Year, escorted my Teacher of the Year team on a tour of his K-8 school, he continuously showcased the great work of his staff. I watched teachers diligently working on a Friday afternoon until the final bell to ensure student success, and I witnessed reading and math instruction that make me proud to be in the same profession as miracle workers. My entire team was in awe of the authentic culture of community at Pactolus and the great leadership. Once our tour ended, we asked the monumental question of Mr. Lassiter, “How did you do it? How did your school go from low-performing to exceeding growth in three short years?” His response began with a simple truth: He retained and recruited the best possible teachers for his students. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No matter how many schools I visit or audiences I speak with, I am constantly driven back to the same truth: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A great teacher makes all the difference</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Yet, when I speak this truth in many educational arenas, it becomes overshadowed with student test scores, growth predictors, or even budget issues. Don’t get me wrong, all of these are essential discussions, but with each experience on my journey, I grow more and more passionate about the monumental role of the classroom teacher. Without a high quality classroom teacher, what chance do our students have? What use are growth or proficiency scores if students don’t feel loved, valued, and worthy of the education in which they are participating? Great teachers understand this. They empower their students by creating meaningful relationships in order to create a culture of community which fosters high quality teaching and learning. All of the conversations that must be had to improve education in North Carolina are nothing if not grounded in the truth that great teachers are the difference. They are the deciding factor in the fight against ignorance, and they are the greatest motivators of change. Therefore, we, as a state, must empower, motivate, and ignite creativity in these life-changers.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1- Raising NC Teacher Pay to higher than the National Average</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (if we want the best, we have to be the best).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2- Re-establishing a Teacher Recruitment Scholarship modeled after the Teaching Fellows program.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Heck, why not just swallow our pride and re-establish the Teaching Fellows Program? After all, why reinvent the wheel?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3- Providing top-quality, well-mentored principals for our teacher workforce</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Great principals develop phenomenal teachers. If we want to sustain growth and protect against stagnation, great leadership is key.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4- Creating Teacher Leadership pathways</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to keep high quality educators in the classroom while providing opportunities for professional growth and flexibility through hybrid roles.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many days I believe teaching is a form of rocket science, but I certainly don't think it takes a rocket scientist to understand what is required to fix our teacher recruitment and retention problem. Simply put, we must UNITE as one voice. In a time when we so often find reasons for dissension and argument, this a cause with which everyone on both sides of the fence can agree. Our children are our future, and they deserve the best we have to offer. So, why are we dragging our feet? Let's unite for our children and take action. The power of a great teacher is the mightiest tool in public education's belt, and without it, our fight is frivolous.</span></div>
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</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700109149687783615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517963763352377116.post-11916117237960023842016-02-24T07:39:00.000-08:002016-02-24T07:39:09.711-08:00To the Reluctant Parents of the Education MajorDear Reluctant Parents of the Education Major,<br />
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I am sure you have always encouraged your child to pursue his or her dreams, but I am also sure the dreams you had in mind brought revenue and reverence. I know you had visions. You imagined the possibility of respected positions such as physician, lawyer, or entrepreneur. You had high hopes, high expectations. You never dreamed the choice would be to become a <i>teacher.</i> It sounds so minuscule, so degrading of your child's potential. Why would your son or daughter pursue a career where they had to endure constant criticism from the general public or even obtain a second job to attempt financial independence. You didn't picture them working a full day yet struggling to accomplish everything at home in preparation for work the next day. You didn't picture the mounds of paperwork, the disrespectful emails, or the emotional drain. You wanted more, so much more for your progeny. </div>
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Your concerns are warranted. You are justified in your unsettled feelings about your child's pursuit of a degree in education.<br />
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Now, let me tell you the <b><i>truth</i></b> about the teaching profession: It is the hardest job to put into words, yet the easiest to capture the heart. Your son or daughter will leave the classroom tired every day, but the exhaustion will come because he or she fights the good fight: Ignorance is losing, and knowledge is winning. You see, your progeny will shape our future, mold our tomorrow, and work tirelessly to build leaders and citizens who understand what is happening in the world around them rather than being ignorant to other viewpoints and perspectives. Your son or daughter will teach the next generation how to <i>truly</i> think for themselves, how to work collaboratively, how to actively listen, and how to powerfully engage in conversation. That is education from a teacher's perspective. That is the world beneath all of the battles over teacher pay, Common Core, standardized testing, and school choice. Under all the negative gleams the positive. Your child will do a good work. He or she will have life-altering experiences as a teacher, good and bad, but your child will never stop learning what it means to be human, what it means to love, what it means to hurt, and what it means to be real. Your minuscule teaching descendant will probably not be written about in history books, but he or she will be remembered in the hearts of each student that steps foot in his or her classroom. Lives will be changed, futures altered- all because of the decision your child has made to educate young minds.<br />
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Isn't it time you got behind them? Isn't it time you put aside your fears and gave your whole-hearted support for the days and years ahead? Invest in our tomorrow by being positive and supportive about the decision your young, independent, vibrant, and intelligent child has made. No, the decision wasn't to be a doctor or a lawyer, but the decision was even more essential and fundamental. After all, where would our country be without passionate and dedicated teachers to lead the way? <br />
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Sincerely,<br />
<i>A Proud Product of Passionate Educators</i><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700109149687783615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517963763352377116.post-3142319356857428032016-02-03T04:58:00.001-08:002016-02-03T04:58:37.704-08:00The Real Issue with Teacher Pay<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After continuously reading the headlines on dealing with teacher pay for the past week, I just can't stay quiet any longer. So, buckle up, brace yourself, and see this teacher's perspective on the ongoing teacher pay debate:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am paid too much for being a teacher. Yes, you read that correctly. I am paid too much for being a teacher. Now that I am assured your attention, let me clarify that the "pay" I am talking about is nothing monetary. In fact, I am really paid in most facets other than money. Some days I am paid with disrespect, humiliation, and degradation. Others, I am paid with rudeness and demeaning conversations. I am paid too much negativity for being a teacher. Yet, I am still a teacher. Why? Because I am, also, paid on those days with the ability to teach love, worth, kindness, gentleness, and hope. On a fantastic day, I am even paid with heart-warming notes, hugs in the hallway, and a whispered "thank you." The real story of teacher pay far exceeds the salary that is causing so much hype in North Carolina right now. Do I believe teachers need a 10% pay raise as Dr. June Atkinson proposed last week to legislators? Absolutely. Yes, I do. I actually believe far more is needed to provide teachers in North Carolina anywhere close to the national average for the job they perform on a daily basis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, our perspective needs to change. As a culture, we as North Carolinians must start thinking outside of what our lawmakers and politicians identify as our constraints in educational spending. You see, I remember a day a long, long time ago (but not too long ago) when North Carolina led the educational world. We were the exception. When other states were struggling with respecting public education, our state lived out the belief that providing an education was worth every penny spent. Our culture was emblazoned with the motto that "knowledge is power," and every student, regardless of race, creed, or socioeconomic status, was entitled to a sound, quality education. There are remnants of this mentality floating around many educational arenas still today; however, the difference is these have gone from actions to whispers. There are a great few leading the charge to change the course of education in North Carolina for the better. There need to be far more of us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the past decade, teacher support, morale, salary, and respect has been on the decline. Constant headlines, editorials, articles, and movies depicting teachers as immoral and selfish has created a culture where balancing the budget on the backs of educators and school systems is tolerated. Contempt is what we are really paying our teachers. Not only are we insulting the education professionals with barely mediocre salaries, we are paying them with the ultimate in cultural disrespect for the profession.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having been in my current position for seven months, it still continually surprises me when individuals I meet in public respond to my position as the 2015-2016 North Carolina Teacher of the Year with "oh, so what do you think about the teacher pay situation?" Um...hello. I am a teacher. Why is the first thought in our culture about how much I am paid? If I had responded that I was the North Carolina Firefighter of the year, I can only imagine that the response would be something like, "Wow, thank you for your service. I know you sacrifice so much to keep North Carolina safe. You are a true modern day hero." At least, that would be my response. Maybe even, "I know we don't pay you nearly enough for your sacrifice." Now, before some people take my comments completely out of context, let me clarify for everyone that I love and appreciate firemen and ALL state workers. As a matter of fact, I would have lost my home to wildfires twice if not for my local fire department! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, what does this line of questioning illustrate? Our lack of cultural awareness as to the real job of a teacher. For many, the only dealings with teachers come from their own </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">childhood for which the reality and clarity has faded with age. Many believe everything they read on social media or see in the movies is the reality of the classroom. Let me assure you, I could make a movie of my classroom, and some days would make you want to give everything you have to provide a loving home environment for my students, while other days would make you want to start taking anti-depressants if you have to hear one more parent or community member degrade your professional career. Regardless, you will find an educator who respects the needs of her students and constantly instills in them that they are loved, valued, and worthy. You see, we educators understand that e</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ducation is an essential element of a contributing citizen. Why, then, must our society base the value of education on monetary gain? Where are the North Carolina educational values of days past?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bottom line: Educators need a raise. Not just the novice, not just the veteran. Every. Single. Educator. ALL state employees deserve a raise. A raise not only in salary, but a raise in cultural respect for our professions. Only then will our past educational values finally resurface to bring inspiration and hope for North Carolina’s future generations.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700109149687783615noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517963763352377116.post-38635241645019040202016-02-01T08:08:00.004-08:002016-02-01T08:08:55.402-08:00Long, lost Blogger returns!<span style="color: blue;">Yes, it has been a while since I have blogged. It has been a whirlwind the past few months, and honestly, it has been hard for me to keep up with myself! In an effort to "catch everyone up," let me give a quick highlight of what has happened since September of 2015:</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: blue;">Visit with the State Board to schools in Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCrs5CWI2LFoC5CXcHlj4wdFepeXtzSmV28hLJmP0pNUDCA8eQR7XPVlfk4CL9PivLdEXG-oVQo7b_1YFiqUZMfrNJpwY-VxtKnyYouPBeoW-58b6bvM-To6WRv_n-kojlRX55LuPcNc/s1600/37965629-3774-4E15-9B9E-68B47D711D6D.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCrs5CWI2LFoC5CXcHlj4wdFepeXtzSmV28hLJmP0pNUDCA8eQR7XPVlfk4CL9PivLdEXG-oVQo7b_1YFiqUZMfrNJpwY-VxtKnyYouPBeoW-58b6bvM-To6WRv_n-kojlRX55LuPcNc/s200/37965629-3774-4E15-9B9E-68B47D711D6D.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJQhhcaQVOvvpHHOxOcTgHYVIA8tFM_bTuh5xX_ArM_lg4DF1E2xGJVwIdFvJWyjoN3QJsBi4qpZYeFZukS0H92LUHJFLX_2n6OuY479PHWuH1TcAJVXEMhk0PZfnVsMG9C4QMWjKTLM/s1600/9FD299EF-9D6E-4197-9A5B-D5529A6F81B1.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJQhhcaQVOvvpHHOxOcTgHYVIA8tFM_bTuh5xX_ArM_lg4DF1E2xGJVwIdFvJWyjoN3QJsBi4qpZYeFZukS0H92LUHJFLX_2n6OuY479PHWuH1TcAJVXEMhk0PZfnVsMG9C4QMWjKTLM/s200/9FD299EF-9D6E-4197-9A5B-D5529A6F81B1.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpKA0ApzbbWENSv8HP0IAZUvWC91j5KlkQT2Wu1qK_JgPVL-DSJHQL2OhC_gcp05Gsswfgi3G-JOEWNd5bVvlf4uiHq3gKkJaM6YlTNF58XXtfrQ-v4v9zyoKrBTstCe_HJ1kAHHiNSU/s1600/BD6483BD-049C-4DE6-A4A4-00EF1B093053.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpKA0ApzbbWENSv8HP0IAZUvWC91j5KlkQT2Wu1qK_JgPVL-DSJHQL2OhC_gcp05Gsswfgi3G-JOEWNd5bVvlf4uiHq3gKkJaM6YlTNF58XXtfrQ-v4v9zyoKrBTstCe_HJ1kAHHiNSU/s320/BD6483BD-049C-4DE6-A4A4-00EF1B093053.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Public School Forum and the Education Policy class (EPFP) is in full swing having had a fall retreat, classes this fall, and a Christmas gathering. I am learning SO much from the incredible opportunities afforded by the Public School Forum.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Ocracoke Trip with Appalachian State University's Appalachian Community of Education Scholars (ACES).</span></li>
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<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZfqsK9lzRrgBL4JjTt-ax0m7JX94GwSHcKC2-XmEZ3kAP-4y08dSeJB7wIQR5CLA0Jrl2nagoGoEaUrBQwyW3AIj_-rYbQpRTPy7DNUibLdvvSFIT-f4EfMj4Y2UXyJFKqUk5VhGUjU/s1600/8075014C-9F46-48B9-8219-9885702AEC87.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZfqsK9lzRrgBL4JjTt-ax0m7JX94GwSHcKC2-XmEZ3kAP-4y08dSeJB7wIQR5CLA0Jrl2nagoGoEaUrBQwyW3AIj_-rYbQpRTPy7DNUibLdvvSFIT-f4EfMj4Y2UXyJFKqUk5VhGUjU/s200/8075014C-9F46-48B9-8219-9885702AEC87.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzz33JsZlW6koSsm5-S6OkfnSPfgmhBMKkXpRtOprFNWRldVbIZRhdEFd4aRS_q2QJNCyV9UYiR5LUX2HWLzZM9686HQjw3ntnxDk2bvDBGaCU-GxokapH0Ht2ZSSx2drQS7x7SkQ7u1g/s1600/8F1EF33D-3173-4FF0-8AC7-FE0902E046AC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzz33JsZlW6koSsm5-S6OkfnSPfgmhBMKkXpRtOprFNWRldVbIZRhdEFd4aRS_q2QJNCyV9UYiR5LUX2HWLzZM9686HQjw3ntnxDk2bvDBGaCU-GxokapH0Ht2ZSSx2drQS7x7SkQ7u1g/s200/8F1EF33D-3173-4FF0-8AC7-FE0902E046AC.JPG" width="200" /></a></span><ul>
<li><span style="color: blue;">State Superintendent's Teacher Advisory Council Meetings.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">North Carolina State Board of Education meetings each month.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">First meeting of the Educator Quality Workgroups (the TOY and POY teams merged).</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Various speaking engagements with Teacher Cadets and Beginning Teachers from ECU to Wilmington.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">2016-2017 Regional Teachers of the Year announcements.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Convening of State Teachers of the Year in San Antonio, TX (which will receive a blog post of its own very soon).</span></li>
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<span style="color: blue;">It really doesn't look like much, but this list has afforded 13,000 miles on the State vehicle. In the coming blogs, I will focus on a specific aspect of what I am learning during this incredible once-in-a-lifetime journey! Thank you for your constant support and prayers during my year as NC Teacher of the Year. I am honored to represent the greatest educators in the nation!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700109149687783615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517963763352377116.post-23129556383154561332015-09-26T08:37:00.001-07:002015-09-26T08:37:55.471-07:00NCAE Instructional Leadership Institute As a member of NCAE, I have taken full advantage of the wonderful trainings offered as I prepared for the National Board process. I, also, have participated in various other seminars or professional development offered by the organization. However, I must say that this summer's inaugural Instructional Leadership Institute blew me out of the water. The group of teachers gathered were not only passionate about their calling, but they were devoted to improving themselves as professionals and learners, as well as helping colleagues improve. It was beautiful for this teacher to behold.<br />
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These educators were hard at work deep diving and aligning their lessons with the Common Core and Essential Standards as I walked into the "house that teachers built." Upon entering this rigorous work session, my heart overflowed that I was honored to have an invitation to speak to this group and was more than impressed with the rigorous work these professionals were putting into refining their craft. They inspired me to be better and made me yearn to be preparing for a new year in my classroom! The reflective questioning they were asking about their own practice as they were redefining themselves as teacher leaders in their content areas was inspiring and should be a common practice for all educators. <br />
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I owe a BIG thank you to Elic Senter who opened the invitation and treated me with fine southern hospitality. One of the best parts was that Elic was a former NC Teaching Fellow himself, so we were kindred spirits from the beginning! I can't wait to see the bright future of these NCAE Instructional Leadership graduates and the gains NC public education will make because of them!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700109149687783615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517963763352377116.post-6132348351456442042015-08-14T10:45:00.001-07:002015-08-14T10:45:30.388-07:00NC State Beginning Teacher Institute<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you haven't been to the Friday Institute at NC State University, wait no longer! On July 14, 2015, I had the honor of being the keynote speaker for the first day of the Beginning Teacher Institute as well as a session presenter. I was enamored with not only the beautiful facility but the amazing organization and attention to detail the NC State faculty had executed to create this opportunity for North Carolina's beginning teachers. </div>
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For this event, I spoke on one of my passions: <i>overcoming the negative perceptions of public education.</i> My goal was to encourage the beginning teachers to be positive about their calling and make meaningful relationships with their students. Amazingly enough, these beginning teachers inspired me far more than I could have inspired them. Their vivacious personalities and zeal for their craft was so apparent. If anyone is ever in doubt of the condition of beginning teachers in North Carolina, they need only catch a glimpse of this institute to be reaffirmed in the validity of these professionals.</div>
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If you are a beginning teacher in North Carolina, REGISTER for this event next summer. It will be well worth your time!</div>
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Thank you for this incredible opportunity, NC State College of Education!</div>
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Meet Julie: A fellow Appalachian State University Teaching Fellow Alumni. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700109149687783615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517963763352377116.post-78791570252948099972015-08-14T09:11:00.001-07:002015-08-14T10:27:59.733-07:00Surry County Schools' Freshmen Academies Freshmen Academies are nothing new to me in my ten years of teaching. I actually played an integral role in a valiant attempt at a Freshmen Academy in Ashe County. What we did just didn't work well for us, so we did what every good school does: reflect and change. This is exactly what I saw happening in Surry County Schools during my visit there on July 13th, 2015.<br />
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Each area high school was gathered at North Surry for a review of their Freshmen Academy visions and reflecting on how they can improve and refocus instruction. The efforts of their collective reasoning was empowering to veteran and novice educators. These teachers were REALLY working together for the benefit of the students. Each individual was putting aside his or her own agenda to create and implement best practices. The support from the central office staff was phenomenal. </div>
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I had the pleasure of meeting the Director of Teacher Quality, Ms. Sonia Dickerson and the Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Reinhardt. The work these two ladies put into the planning process of a phenomenal professional development day is to be commended. Teachers were treated as professionals and provided a wonderful lunch. My time with them was rejuvenating and encouraging as to the wonderful things happening in North Carolina Public Schools. Thank you, Surry County Schools for allowing me to join such a wonderful day of professional development!<br />
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FUN FACT: This is Sonia Dickerson who happens to be the niece of my teacher idol and</div>
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former cooperating teacher, Polly Jones. So nice to meet someone I have heard so much about! :)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700109149687783615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517963763352377116.post-59309821431627467202015-08-12T07:09:00.001-07:002015-08-12T07:11:44.509-07:00North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching: A Jewel for North Carolina Educators!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Beginning my journey as the North Carolina Teacher of the Year, I was amazed at how many opportunities were presented to me. The first of many was the opportunity to attend NCCAT in Ocracoke for a week. I literally loaded up a colleague and left my house at 5:30 A.M. to treck across our great state to spend a week of professional development with educators I knew and many I did not.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> As I am
usually transparent, I will continue to be as such with you and let you know
that the dread had overtaken me for a season. Worry, fear, and uncertainty
gripped me for most of May and June. I just did not know what to make of
this new role. As an English teacher, travel logs and reimbursement forms are
things of my nightmares. To think I would be consistently calculating almost
had me in hives! However, as the waves found their way onto the Ocracoke
Island shore from the Pamlico Sound on June 22, 2015, I began to transform my worry
and fear into hope and excitement. The North Carolina Center for the
Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) at Ocracoke is where I found
my rejuvenation and inspiration for the coming year.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> Throughout the week, I formed relationships with educators and learned that we all truly were in the same "boat" whether we were in Raleigh, Asheville, or even Maine! Regardless of where we found ourselves in our professions, one thing rang true for each of us: our LOVE for our profession. In working with the United State Coast Guard stationed in Hatteras, we learned that many are doing "less with more" and not being negative about it. They are fighting for their needs, yet they know their calling is as important today as it will be tomorrow. I found great comfort in that. It is amazing how little we realize about our own perspectives until we look closely at others. The importance of my position as the NC TOY became apparent during our mapping session and tour of the Coast Guard station. Teachers need a positive voice encouraging us to keep meeting the needs of our students and giving our best every day. I am that voice this year, and I hope to inspire my colleagues as I was inspired at NCCAT. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">North Carolina Educators: If you haven't utilized the professional development opportunities at NCCAT, make this year the year you do! It is well worth the sacrifice of your time and travel to be rejuvenated in your profession.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Below is a picture of our group of teacher leaders. I cannot wait to see where this year takes these incredible educators!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m41THfTTO-FNfW8q3hjlqWwcn-qKTm5u6e18vn2LptNRnHW9FHj7TBgqY2ouFAL0SsArw7xCINtIc8WwWeBhL02jxvxKQxXVl092ygXpZKR7fc6S5YtlDBEKLSZZLPjrzwgr5eup_-Y/s1600/TOY+NCCAT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m41THfTTO-FNfW8q3hjlqWwcn-qKTm5u6e18vn2LptNRnHW9FHj7TBgqY2ouFAL0SsArw7xCINtIc8WwWeBhL02jxvxKQxXVl092ygXpZKR7fc6S5YtlDBEKLSZZLPjrzwgr5eup_-Y/s400/TOY+NCCAT.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700109149687783615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517963763352377116.post-10810087120399089852015-07-07T13:40:00.000-07:002015-07-07T13:40:33.223-07:00"Good seasons start with good beginnings" (Sparky Anderson)<span style="color: #0b5394;">It is still rather surreal and overwhelming to think that I am the one chosen to represent the 95,000 educators in North Carolina. My emotions range from excitement to utter panic. I keep asking myself if this is really happening. I do not feel worthy of this position, yet I know God has called me to this place for a reason. My desire to make a difference and a positive impact on North Carolina Public Education is great. Greater than even that, though, is my desire to inspire the teachers of North Carolina to see their potential and the impact they have, regardless of whether they feel their voices are being heard.</span><div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Many people have asked me what I look forward to most about the coming year as well as what I dread most. If I am being honest, I am devastated at the "loss" of my students for a year. If you know me well, you know that my students are my life-blood. They are the reason I teach, and a year without them every day just feels empty, void, and just plain wrong. However, the excitement of learning more about North Carolina Public Education, spreading hope and affirmation to the teachers of North Carolina, and being able to meet and learn from the fantastic educators of our great state has me so excited I can hardly sleep. Seriously. Sleep has evaded me since July 1. My peppy personality is in overdrive, and I cannot help but smile when I think of the possibilities this year holds. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">There are so many experiences that I have already had as the 2015-2016 NC TOY before my "official" start date of July 1, 2015. So, I will recap those for you in the coming month and post about the current happenings as well! I am going to leave you with a "sneak peak" of my Teacher of the Year office that my high school (Ashe County High School) has so graciously provided for me. I am most excited that my students can still leave notes for me and drop by to see me when I am there. I look forward to the coming year and hope you will follow me on this incredible journey!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GFYyI0FTRBskfxC4RShLm-RnUR42RJofrM0tJMiQVux_zHV6Q6eqdQ_cA_DhX9398kRC5LtjBQOITy89agTIcG5xw2YAIFt82ARQgScq0XZ8VM4i5D-r_zcxRjlo7g21E4XPiEyiw0c/s1600/IMG_1563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GFYyI0FTRBskfxC4RShLm-RnUR42RJofrM0tJMiQVux_zHV6Q6eqdQ_cA_DhX9398kRC5LtjBQOITy89agTIcG5xw2YAIFt82ARQgScq0XZ8VM4i5D-r_zcxRjlo7g21E4XPiEyiw0c/s320/IMG_1563.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Please excuse the mess as this office is still "under construction"!! :)</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700109149687783615noreply@blogger.com0