Week of April 3

What an exciting week! I was able to spend Sunday, April 3-Wednesday, April 6 in Washington, D.C. for our EPFP seminar on Education Policy. It was a wonderful few days! I flew in on Sunday and our meetings began on Sunday afternoon! I was so excited that Kelly Nalley (SC TOY 2011) and Bryan Coburn (SC TOY 2010) were there with the South Carolina EPFP group. I really enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with both of these amazing folks.
Our sessions included panel discussions on Teacher Effectiveness and the budget. We also heard from speakers on turn-around schools and the vision for education today. I will admit that Dr. Weast, Superintendent of the Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland and Dr. Hrabowski, President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore were among my favorite speakers. They talked about the real aspects of educational leadership today. I was so inspired. I enjoyed the opportunity to participate in some amazing professional development, network with truly inspiring educational leaders, visit with Congressional leaders on the Hill, and enjoy a night of laughter and satire with the Capital Steps. It was a great few days in DC.

(With my friend, Kelly Nalley. Kelly is the 2011 South Carolina Teacher of the Year.)

I flew in on Wednesday afternoon and after a rapid change in the hotel I was off to the 2011-2012 NC Teacher of the Year Dinner. It was a wonderful evening at the elegant Umpstead Hotel in Cary. (No, I did not get to stay there.) It was an amazing night to celebrate the wonderful teachers in our state and to honor the nine regional finalist who compose the 2011-1012 NC TOY team. To the new team, you are all such inspiring, dedicated and positive teachers and each of you embodies what our profession is all about. Congratulations to :

From left to right:
Southwest Region: Thomas Plecnik, Rhyne Elementary
Sandhills/South Central Region: Marci Houseman, West Pine Middle
Charter Schools: Regina Johnston, Chatham Charter School
Piedmont-Triad/Central Region: Tyronna Hooker, Graham Middle
Southeast Region: Callie Smith, Bogue Sound Elementary
Dr. June Atkinson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
West Region: Eric Grant, Buncombe County Early College
North Central Region: Ferdinand Cooper, Weldon STEM High
Northeast Region: Suzie Sanders, River Road Middle
Northwest Region: Jesse "Andy" Blevins, Fred T. Foard High

And Congratulations to Tyronna Hooker from Graham Middle School for being named the 2011-2012 NC Teacher of the Year. Tyronna, you will have an amazing and life-changing year. I am looking forward to getting to know you more and working with you this year.


Brandon Patterson, I sincerely do not know how I would have survived this year without you! Your leadership, guidance and humor helped me more than you will ever know! As always, you made the NCTOY program one to which other states aspire. Thank you!










Thank you Dr. Harrison, Chair of the State Board of Education, and Dr. June Atkinson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, for your leadership and vision for NC Public Schools.


(The past four NC TOYs with our State Superintendent, Dr. June Atkinson.)

On Thursday morning, I was able to attend the monthly State Board of Education meeting. There are so many good things going on in NC schools. Of course, we talked both openly and in side conversations about the budget and we are trying to remain optimistic. However, the reality is that folks just do not seem to understand how much education has already been cut. I think it is best summed up in this statement from the Thursday meeting: " It is difficult to have a vast vision with a half-vast budget." Enough said.