Our day started with a greeting from the President and CEO of ETS, Kurt Landgraf.  He was very warm, teacher friendly and thoughtful in his address to us.  We then heard three of the N.T.o.Y.s share their incredible journeys and how they now see themselves in leadership roles.

Mary Beth Blegen, the 1996 National Teacher of the Year, said a few things that seemed to weigh heavily with me.  One of the most powerful things I heard her quote was…” We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.”  This is so true.  Think about this statement… it is simple, yet profound.  She also said to “stop whining” it doesn’t change anything.  Again, true.  Instead of using all the energy it takes to whine, I think I’ll use that energy to make a change or help find a solution to my “whine.”  Mary Beth talked a lot about what it looks like to be a teacher leader, she said three key words that would benefit anyone in a leadership role and that is to:  Listen, Learn, and Ask Questions.  As someone who would like to someday pursue more leadership roles, I will cradle these ideas and use them always.

Our day was full of intriguing speakers and we finished the work part of our day in our home rooms, once again processing what we heard all day and how we will take what we have learned and use it to serve more students, colleagues, parents, etc. After this session ended @ 4Pm, we got ready for another night of being entertained and spoiled.

Our group went to Hamilton, NJ, to see the “Grounds for Sculpture” http://www.groundsforsculpture.org/collect.htm a 35-acre public sculpture park.  J. Seward Johnson (on a side note…his family is “the Johnson and Johnson” family)  created an outdoor permanent art collection of sculptures that includes his take on Renoir, Monet and Vanderbilt to name a few.  It was breath taking and surreal.  The grounds were meticulously groomed with lighted paths, gorgeous landscaping and the art was stunning.  After a guided tour, we were seated in the restaurant called “Rat’s” (named after The Wind in the Willow book and character known as “Ratty.” ) for a five course meal that had specific wines to accompany each selection.  It was a divine evening!

Traveling to New Jersey was lovely…the flight was on-time, my luggage was there waiting for me and the car ride with two of the dearest teachers from North Carolina and Wisconsin was filled with laughter and gorgeous views of Princeton.  We stayed at the stunningly lavish Chauncey Center http://www.ahl-chauncey.com/gallery/index.cfm is owned by ETS. (Educational Testing Service) This generous organization along with the CCSSO/National Teacher of the Year Program helped sponsor all of the State Teachers of the Year who attended this conference.  We were provided with a beautiful facility to use during our thoughtful discussions and presentations.  Thank you ETS and CCSSO!!!  Our guest rooms were splendid as well.  I’m starting to get used to being pampered like this… a different state every two months…maids cleaning my room… gourmet meals… lavish affairs… maybe this conference should be called… Back to Reality Steps to Avoid Severe Depression.

Our time in Princeton was full of rich learning opportunities to discuss and ponder what it means to be a S.T.o.Y, and what we will do with this life changing experience.  We were fortunate to hear from several speakers, five of whom were former National Teachers of the Year… Mary Beth Blegen (1996), Betsy Rogers (2003), Kimberly Oliver Burnim (2006), Andrea Peterson (2007) and Mike Geisen (2008).  It was so interesting to hear what each N.T.o.Y. has done since their year as a state teacher and as a national teacher. Some have stayed in the classroom, while a few have gone into consulting type roles.  We also had home room sessions facilitated by the past N.T.o.Y.s.  I happened to be in the New England + group (we also had a few other states that are regionally near us) facilitated by Kimberly Oliver Burnim.  I don’t care what anyone says, New Englanders rock!!!  In all seriousness, we are a very close group and I foresee us reuniting frequently.  We even had the National Teacher of the Year, Anthony “Tony” Mullen, from Connecticut in our group.  You should check out his blog on the Teacher Magazine website: http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teacher_of_the_year/ He has such a gift for writing and for provoking a deep and insightful way to view the things he witnesses on his own journey, as the 2009 National Teacher of the Year.

Some of the questions we processed over the three days were: Who was I in Dallas? (That was our first conference as state teachers)  What did I learn?  What did I teach?  Who and how do I lead? and Where do I go from here?  It was a great way to finalize our year.  Listening to everyone respond to these questions, as well as writing down and sharing my thoughts…made me realize that my Teacher of the Year journey isn’t ending, it is actually just beginning.  I have done so many cool things this year… things that have opened my mind and challenged my teaching soul.  I’ve been inspired to use my voice and I’m not afraid to lead should I need to.  I am a changed person for the better.

Today, I was so proud to be a part of a very precious assembly.  The new Maine Teacher of the Year, Mr. Kevin Grover, was given his “surprise” assembly at the Lunt School in Falmouth.  I only wish that everyone could have felt the enormous outpouring of love, pride and support that filled the gymnasium as Mr. Grover entered the room.  It was so moving and gorgeous that all I could think about was my own experience, last year.  It’s hard to express the utter love and humbleness you feel at a moment like this… it truly is.  It was obvious on Kevin’s face that he understood exactly this feeling.

It’s hard to pass the torch off… when you love what you have been blessed with so very much.  Being the Maine Teacher of the Year comes with many responsibilities, and at times it can be a little overwhelming and challenging.  However, it was and will always be a gift that was worth every second of my time.  It is refreshing and exciting to know that Kevin will be the new voice for Maine educators, students and parents.  He has become a friend in this ToY process and I know we will work together for many years to come.  I let him have his day in the limelight, but just remember Mr. Super Grover Maine Teacher of the Year 2010, I am still here until December 31st at 11:59 PM EASTERN TIME!!!  I may even give you a call to let you know that it’s all yours.  The question is will you be awake or will I have to wake you up? 

Just because I’m nearing the end of my 2009 journey as the METoY… it only means that my journey has just begun.  (I’m a glass half full…kind of person.)  Congratulations once again, Kevin!  You rock!

7:00 AM SHARP pick up time… Man, is this boot camp or space camp?  ha.ha.  After breakfast we had a three team meeting called Mission Overview from 7:30-9:30.  Then we had the delight of listening to Christa McAuliffe’s mother speak.  Grace Corrigan’s presentation was so moving and fitting for our group.  We watched a video featuring her daughter during the selection process for the one teacher that they were going to select to go into space.  Her interviews and actions through out the video were fascinating to witness, what a true hero Christa was and is to not only the space program, but to her fellow teachers, her students and people of all walks of life.

We then had photos taken with Grace… followed by lunch.  One of today’s activities was to design a patch to represent our team…Unity.  Fortunately, Edney from the Virgin Islands is an artist and took our suggestions into place and designed a gorgeous patch.  Next we were off to practice our jobs on our upcoming Endeavour mission.  Today, we found out what our jobs were on the Endeavor and we had the opportunity to practice them.  My job is CAPCOM!  Here’s a close up of me as CapCom…

Of course, I lucked out and got the most awesome job ever.  I’m the only one in flight control who can communicate with the Commander and Pilot, but I also can communicate with everyone in flight control.  It was a pretty intense role, because you have a strict time line to follow and you have to listen to both the shuttle and ground control.  I think I have the hang of this role…we’ll see how I do tomorrow.  Obviously the person choosing the jobs doesn’t have a clue how much I like to talk…never give me a microphone or you’ll be sorry, just ask my colleagues at Congin. 

After another session and dinner, we were free at 6:30.  That will be earliest release time we will have all week.  That’s when several of us made a break for good ole Wally World (Walmart).  Debbie has her car here, so we are styling!  I was desperate for bananas and some kind of shopping, so even Walmart looked fabulous to me.  Knowing that tonight was the only chance for all of us to network, a large group of 36 ToYs and international teachers gathered together in room 301… to discuss the days events.  Deb, Vicki and I went up to this gathering in our new flight suits and the lighted glasses that Debbie bought us.  Too funny! 

Sleep did not come easy last night as I went to bed around 1:30 AM and woke up at 5 AM. (I am used to getting up at 6 at home…there’s a one hour time difference here, ugh!)   I mostly likely woke up from the rocket sounding toilet or the sunlight that poured through my blinds that wouldn’t close all the way.  I’m not complaining here, just informing. 

Day One Schedule:

7:45-8:00  Breakfast

8:00-9:30  Welcome Orientation

9:30-11:00  Team Building Tour **** This was when some of us went on the Space Shot here’s the description…

Space Shot

What does a rocket launch really feel like? Three, two, one, liftoff!

• Rocket 140ft straight up in 2.5 seconds.
• 4 G’s of force on launch!
• 2 – 3 seconds of weightlessness out of your seat then a 1 G free fall!
• You must be 54 inches tall to ride.

I can hardly believe that I did this, as I’m terrified of heights!  Here’s proof that I went…

11:00-12:30  Shuttle Orientation

12:30-1:00 Lunch

1:00-2:30 Story Musgrave- Astronaut presentation

2:30-3:30 Opening Ceremony Rehearsal

3:30-4:30   Bussed back to dorm to change into state costume and picked back up

4:30-5:00 Group Photos at the Shuttle

5:00-6:30 Opening Ceremonies/Costume Parade at the Davidson Center

6:30-8:00 Welcome Dinner at the Davidson Center

8:00- Travel back to the dorm

The first day was intense!  Once again, the Cajun and I didn’t go to sleep until well after 12 am.  Debbie and I found several issues with our blankets and we also had to bling out our space bags.  Deb went a step further by blinging out her flight suit.  LOL.

I’m seriously missing my family!  It is hard, because there is so little time to even call home.

I left Maine at 8:00 am this morning and made it to my connector Charlotte, NC on time.  The Charlotte Airport is gorgeous and easy to navigate through.  I arrived in Huntsville, Alabama by 3:00 pm and was greeted by Rhonda an instructor at the U.S. Rocket and Space Camp.  I was bussed over to the dorm that all the state teachers were staying at.  It was so cool, I got out of the bus and was greeted by some of my ToY friends, they grabbed my luggage and after hugs and more hugs… They asked me if I wanted to join them on a trip to the local outdoor mall, The Bridge Street Shopping Center.  I literally did not even have the chance to bring my luggage to my room when I was en route to the most gorgeous shopping plaza. 

Let me tell you, it was a good thing I went there or I would not have had a chance to shop again.  (Space Camp is not a shopping trip…it is actually serious work!)  We had a ball walking around and having dinner outside at a restaurant….???  I was so excited when my friend, Debbie found us at this shopping center despite not knowing where to go, her GPS could not locate this plaza, as it was brand new.  I asked a security guard to guide her to us and that little Cajun found us at Ann Taylor Loft. 

Upon returning to the dorm, we soon realized that the comforts of home where not going to be at the University of Alabama’s dorm suites.  I have a total new found respect for any college student who can sleep more than four hours at a time on the “over-sized baby crib mattress” supplied to each of us.  These things were an entity of their own with a springy center and were as loud as walking through a never ending supply of bubble wrap.  Mr. Alaska refers to these mattresses as folded up blue tarps, neither description really does justice to the unpleasantness of these things. 

My only saving grace was the mattress pad and cotton sheets generously brought to me from my BFF, Ms. Louisiana.  Debbie drove to Huntsville and totally hooked us up.  I owe you one, Debbie.  She also keep me up every night giggling for hours, so by the time I went to bed after 12+…I was so exhausted that I crashed.  I had the coolest roommates…Vickie from New York, Margaret from Missouri and my buddy, Debbie from Louisiana.

Did I mention the lovely blankets that we received…that is a story for another day. 

Although I can’t hardly believe it, but nearly one year ago today, I was a regional finalist and was giving my oral presentation to a group of @ 75 people.  Today, I was on the other side as a scorer for our next Maine Teacher of the Year.  I have to say that it was much less stressful pulling up to the Buchanan Alumni Hall at the University of Maine Orono campus.  It was nice to get out of my car and be able to breath, something I was struggling with last year, for sure.  

Jennifer Pooler, the Coordinator for the Teacher of the Year Program, did a superb job organizing all of the parts involved with this tedious selection process.  It has been such an honor working under her guidance and organization.  After Jennifer explained the day’s itinerary, I had the privilege of introducing each of the six regional finalists: Thomas Fournier, Kevin Grover, Barbara Noone, William Thompson, Jayne Quinn Sawtelle and David Wilkins.  It was a pleasure to see these incredibly gifted teachers once again, as I had met them all at a prior reception, the Hall of Flags Ceremony, and I also spend a day at three of these candidates’ schools while scoring them at their site visit. 

Each of the nominees did a remarkable job presenting today.  They also turned in their portfolios, which I know first-hand was a  huge undertaking, but a worthwhile opportunity to reflect on one’s own teaching practice and philosophy.  Being at the Oral Presentation portion of the ToY process made me very nostalgic for my friends that went through the 2009 ToY process with me.  A few of the nominees from last year have become dear friends of mine, and I really missed them today. 

 

I want to take the opportunity to also personally thank Hannaford for their continued support of the Teacher of the Year Program.  Truly without Hannaford’s generous contributions, the Maine Teacher of the Year would not be able to participate in all of the enriching opportunities that are presented to them throughout the course of the year.  THANK YOU ever so much, Hannaford!  I will never forget what you have done for this Maine teacher…your gift has helped not only me, it has benefited my students, the community and our state.

Today was an excellent day of presentations.  The presenters left more time to answer the audience’s questions and seemed to really understand the need for interaction and communication on the topics presented.  One session that I found particularly interesting and useful was called, “What’s Around the Bend for High School Reform.”  This session did not just talk about raising standards for our high school students, rather it addressed issues such as how to keep our students in school through dropout prevention measures to help identify at-risk students.  

Some interesting websites that were mentioned for drop-out prevention and approaching instruction through a different means were:

www.bigpicture.org,  www.commcorp.org,  www.gatewaytocollege.org,  www.youthbuild.org

Attending the ECS National Forum on Education Policy was a fantastic opportunity for me to see and hear how some policies get enacted, as well as who is behind certain stand points.  My main concern throughout this forum was that many of the topics discussed or policies up for debate had little teacher/student input. If you want to invoke change, doesn’t it make sense to ask the people on the front line? 

Debbie, Cindi, Bob, Cindy, Me

My last night in Nashville was spent at the Grand Ole Opry with several of my Teacher of the Year friends.  It was interesting to see acts like Lil’ Jimmy, a performer who has been on the Grand Ole Opry stage for sixty some odd years.  That blows my mind.  The headlining act was Diamond Rio who played two of their most popular songs, which were ????  Sorry guys, I’m not a country girl…I didn’t even know who Diamond Rio was before tonight.  I will say that all of the acts were entertaining, even the sleeping act that my friend…Mr. Alaska provided for us.  Poor Bob has been traveling everywhere as the Alaskan ToY, and he just couldn’t keep his eyes open even at the Opry.

Today, was a mixed feeling kind of day.  Several of the sessions although having great topics were a little disappointing to me and to some of my ToY colleagues.  It was very hard to listen to Senators and Representatives, as well as Governors or select business groups share what we should be doing in education…when some of these presenters have had little experience or no experience in a classroom or have had little input from the ground level which is hearing from our teachers and students.  There also didn’t seem to be enough time for collaboration and response time during our sessions today.

I did however thoroughly enjoy a session run by a board member from the MCEE, Duke Albanese and Charlie Toulmin from Nellie Mae Education Foundation.  Our round table discussion was on “The New England Secondary School Consortium: Cross-State Collaboration for College and Work Readiness.    It is exciting to watch several of the states work together for the betterment of our students.  It is also nice to have standards in NH and MA that match what we are doing in ME. 

After our sessions today, we were treated to a reception at the hub of the building for just the Teachers of the Year.  It was cool, because the top of the building rotated.  After the reception, several of us went out to dinner.  We also did a little shopping and site seeing.