2010-2011 AT&T NC Teacher of the Year Team

From Left to Right: Vann Lassiter (Northeast Region) • RenĂ© Herrick (North Central Region) • Courtney Davis (Piedmont-Triad/Central Region) • Amber Alford Watkins (Sandhills/South Central Region) • Joy Jenkins (Northwest Region) • Dorothy Case (West Region) • Jennifer Facciolini (Southeast Region) • David Dahari (Southwest Region) • Stuart Miles (Charter Schools) For more information on any team member or on the AT&T North Carolina Teacher of the Year Program, please click the photograph below.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Sweet Emotion



As teachers we all know the value of the having a positive relationship and rapport with our students. We know the power of truly “showing up” for our students and knowing who they really are. Sometimes teachers don’t always heed our own advice. We fail to find support and make connections with other teachers who share our passion, our vision and yes, our stress. This past week, I had the opportunity to meet with some remarkable teachers from across the U.S. All of the State Teachers of the Year arrived in Dallas on Tuesday and became instant friends. It is amazing how quickly we can bond with those who truly “get us” and our ups and downs. As we networked, laughed, cried and shared, I realized how important the power of emotional connections can be in our profession. We have very stressful jobs. We struggle with keeping the balance between school and home. We struggle with the reality that though we may desperately want to save every child, some will not make it…..and it kills us. We struggle internally, wondering if anyone gets us and the intense complexities of our knowing that we touch every other profession. I will admit that I laughed and cried more over the past few days than I have in a long time. I have met life-long friends and true confidants. Yes, I sat in my room on Saturday night (okay - Sunday morning because when teachers get together we talk way too long!) and I cried. Please don’t misunderstand; I was thrilled to be returning home to my family and my friends. However, I was sad to leave my new friends with whom I have connected.

As you embark on a new semester and begin to build new relationships with your students, don't forget to feed your own soul. Emotional connections with those who get you and support you are so important to us both as teachers and as people.

To my new friends, thank you for a fabulous week! I will never forget that week! To my old friends, thank you for always being there for me! Many of my friends are teachers and I am so honored to have you as my friends. Thank you for always getting me!

Top Photo: Wyoming- Laurie, me, New Hampshire - Angie, 2008 National TOY - Mike, D.C. - Jon. We are at the National Aquarium for dinner.

Bottom Photo: Massachusetts - Wilma, me, California -Darin, Washington- Jay.

College and Career: Ready, Set, Go!


Lots of folks ask about Race to the Top. There are misunderstandings, misconceptions and I want to take some time to encourage you to look at the big picture and ask questions for clarity! I am thrilled to serve on the Governor's Education Transformation Commission and I have have learned so much about my own lack of detailed knowledge around RttT. NC's Race to the Top Initiative is known as College and Career: Ready, Set, Go! For more information click the title above and you will be directed to the NC DPI site. From there you can click on the video link in itunes U! I welcome your questions! If I do not know the answer, I will find someone who does!

Week of January 17


I can hardly believe that this is the last week until I get the opportunity to meet the with 54 other amazing state teachers of the year in Dallas, Texas! I am so excited and can't wait to share that experience with all of you!


On Monday, I traveled to Jacksonville, NC to spend time with the outstanding staff at Carolina Forest Elementary School. Melonie Shepard is Onslow County's Teacher of the Year and I had the opportunity to spend a week with Melonie at NCCAT this summer. She is such a genuine, dedicated, and enthusiastic teacher. I enjoyed reconnecting with her and talking with her staff! We spent our time talking about generational differences and teamwork. Sometimes we judge or misinterpret thing and that leads to division amongst the faculty. We talked about the contributions each generation can bring to our school and ways to utilize each other. After all, we all have one common goal: the education of all of our children. Thanks for allowing me to participate in your staff retreat! The food was fabulous and the everyone was so hospitable.

On Tuesday, I decided it would be fun to see how many times I could drive back and forth to Raleigh! I spent the morning at DPI with a National Boards review panel. Such a great group of dedicated educators who are committed to helping maintain the integrity of the National Boards process. Although this panel involves a great amount of work, I truly enjoy that opportunity. I left DPI and drove to Clinton and spoke to the Beginning Teachers with Clinton City Schools. I had a great time and enjoyed the opportunity! I know it is such a busy time of year and I appreciate this groups willingness to share. I had fun and was able to talk with some folks I had not seen in some time! Nancy Dillmon is such a wonderful educator and she does an amazing job with this group of Beginning Teachers! I left Clinton to return to Raleigh for our EPFP meeting. Dr. Bill Harrison, Chairman of the State Board of Education was our speaker. Although I have met Dr. Harrison many time before, I had never had the opportunity to hear him speak. He is so thoughtful and knowledgeable. There is one thing I know for sure, he is very concerned with what is best for our children!

Wednesday found me in the office filing papers, working on PD presentations, and taking a few moments to simply breathe and process! Whew, this is a busy job!! But one that I truly LOVE!

On Thursday, I spent the afternoon with Wake County Public Schools. Dr. Stephen Gainey and Mrs. Carolyn Wade had a reception for the teachers in Wake County who received National Board Certification or were renewed by the NBPTS. I had a blast connecting with former co-workers and spending time with such an enthusiastic group. We talked about what this process means. We talked about the reflection, the renewal, and the challenge. It was a wonderful evening! If you are considering applying for National Boards, please let me know who I can help!

On Friday, I spent the morning teaching U.S. History. Of course, it was the best way to start the morning! I then managed to catch a few minutes of high school basketball before driving to Asheville!

Saturday I was fortunate to be invited back to UNC-Asheville. Brenda Hopper, director of the UNC-A Teaching Fellows program, is fabulous! I love her energy and dedication to the program. She hosted a Teaching Fellows finalists luncheon for High School seniors who were finalists for this scholarship. I arrived early so that I could drive around the beautiful campus. As Brenda and I watched the elevator doors close, I saw a former student walk past. When the elevator door opened, I walked back up the stairs and yes indeed there was a former student. We talked for a while and I was proud that he was being successful. Though he was super intelligent, traditional high school was not his cup of tea. He said he found college engaging! I am proud of you and wish you much continued success!

As I drove home I noticed the odometer. Wow, over 10,000 miles traveled so far!

Week of January 10 - The Snow Week!

Let is Snow....oh wait, that will mess up exams and we will be here on Spring Break! All the snow days we secretly prayed for when we could not see above the stack of to-be-graded papers on our desks, came when we really wanted to go to school! But that is okay, because we all know that flexibility is one of the most important traits teachers must posses. We will rearrange review days, exam schedules and prepare for the start of a new semester. My events for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were canceled due to inclement weather. Although I hated to miss those events, I was thrilled to have some at time home with my family. Wednesday was Andrew's 10th Birthday and having the whole day at home was fabulous!

On Thursday and Friday, I traveled to RTP to meet with the NCCAT Executive Director Search Committee to interview some remarkable and accomplished folks. Wow! What impressive educators! I have said it before and I will say it again, I am thrilled to be apart of this committee and I am learning so much!

Week of January 3


Today, many of us had the "back to reality" feeling! Winter break is over and tardy bells are the only bells we will hear ringing! On Monday, January 3, I was thrilled to get back into the classroom! Thanks to Mr. Brewer and Ms. Hales at Midway for allowing me to spend some time in your U.S. History classes. I realized at that moment how much I truly miss teaching and miss my students! I always have people ask me, "What are you going to do next year?" Or, I am informed that "You will not come back to teaching.... They never do!" Though the return to the classroom can be a difficult transition after this year, I certainly have it remaining at the top of my list. Of course, I realize things can change and plans can take a different path. However, I am a teacher who loves her job. That is the thing I know for sure!

On Tuesday, our EPFP group met and enjoyed a wonderful presentation! I always love when our group get together! Such great advocates for public education and such amazing, knowledgeable folks! I missed our time apart during Christmas break and I am so glad we are back together!

The State Board of Education met on Wednesday and Thursday. The Board engaged in good dialogue and you can find highlights from the meeting on the link to the right! One of the items we were able to see was itunes U! If you have not had an opportunity to explore this amazing tool, I encourage you to do so! Click the link for NCDPI to the right and search for itunes U. There are great podcasts and videos ranging form Ready, Set, Go! to great classroom content! If you have questions or concerns regarding information presented at the SBE meeting, please email or skype me!

Thursday afternoon I traveled to Lee County to talk to their Beginning Teachers. When I arrived I was directed to the black box. How appropriate! At this time of the year, we sometimes need our best acting skills! I was thrilled to see that a former (and wonderful) student, Maria Jarrell, is teaching in Lee County! We talked about our stresses at this time of year and ways to battle them! We also had great conversations about how truly awesome our jobs are! I really enjoyed seeing you all and I had so much fun!

On Friday, I returned to Midway and spent more time with the U.S. History classes! I loved it! Thanks again guys for allowing me to share in your classroom instruction!

I can hardly believe it is the end of the first semester! Where does time go?

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Beautiful Biltmore at Christmas


On Tuesday, December 21, I had the opportunity to visit the historic Biltmore Estate with my friend and colleague Angie Core (and yes she is my Aunt too) and her daughter Maria. What a treat! When we arrived at the Biltmore Estate, I was greeted by Kat Bartlett who had arranged our visit! She made our visit so wonderful! I was given a beautiful bag filled with Biltmore goodies including an autographed book by Bill Cecil, Jr. Wow! We spent the afternoon "oohing" and "ahhing" over all of the beauty of Biltmore at Christmas! I would attempt to describe the details, but I fear my words would not do justice! To my friends at Biltmore, thank you for opening your doors to us and allowing us to take a step away from the chaos of the Holidays and to enjoy the tranquility of this magnificent estate.

Ms. Bartlett, thank you for such an amazing afternoon! If you have never had the opportunity to visit Biltmore Estate, I encourage you to do so! Photographs from website and stories from others pale in comparison to the glory of the actual home!

photo: www.biltmore.com

Week of December 20

I can hardly believe we are nearing the end of December. Where does the time go? Although this was a "short" work week, it was a busy and fun-filled one!

On Monday I participated in a meeting in Raleigh. There are so many aspects of this role that I truly love and the opportunity to talk with some of the most knowledgeable advocates for public education is one of the highlights! After the meeting, I travel to Asheville once again and this time without a flat tire! Brandon Patterson, Assistant Director of Recruitment and Development at NCDPI was on the road to Weldon City Schools to announce the Region 3 Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to Ferdinand Cooper, a music/band teacher at Weldon STEM High School. I am so excited for you and I look forward to meeting you!

OnTuesday morning, I joined Buncombe Early College Students and staff in a surprise announcement for Mr. Eric Grant. As Mr. Grant entered the room, all of the students shouted, "Congratulations Region 8 Teacher of the Year!" I enjoyed meeting Eric and his wonderful family! If you ever have the opportunity to visit Asheville, I encourage you to do so!

After my fun morning with Buncombe Early College, I then went to visit the beautiful Biltmore Estate. I had visited earlier in October, but to see the historical home at Christmas was truly breathtaking!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Week of December 13

Snow, ice and a flat tire made for an interesting week! I began the week in the office on Monday catching up on journals, articles and other fun research! Brandon Patterson, Assistant Director of Recruitment and Development at NCDPI, was on the road again. This time he was off to Elizabeth City/Pasquotank to make a special regional announcement. Congratulations to Suzanne Sanders, a math teacher at River Road Middle School, for being named the Northeast Regional Teacher of the Year! Enjoy every minute of this journey! It is truly amazing!

On Tuesday morning, I had the opportunity to visit Moore County to announce the South Central/Sandhills Regional Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to Marci Houseman, a music teacher at West Pine Middle School! As we hid behind the stage to make the surprise announcement, the students were giving a holiday concert. Wow! How impressive. I also had the opportunity to hear the DRUM students. How fantastic!!

After I left Marci's school, I enjoyed lunch with my college roommate. I enjoyed catching up and meeting her youngest daughter Stella. After lunch, I prepare myself for the long drive to Asheville. Thump...Thud...Thump...flat tire! Oh joy!! I had to use my GPS to figure out where I was! I had lost track of the counties I had driven through already! At least is was during the day and I was warm inside the car! Finally I am towed away and repaired and on the road again! I finally get into Asheville (yes, it was snow covered) and checked in to my hotel around 10. The next morning, Buncombe County was out of school due to inclement weather and I then enjoyed my beautiful drive back home to find an ice storm on its way to my house!

I was iced in on Thursday and was not able to attend the announcement of another Regional Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to Gaston County's Thomas Plecnik! Mr. Plecnik is a fifth grade teacher at Rhyne Elementary School. I am truly sorry that I missed your announcement and I look forward to meeting you soon!

Friday's announcements were also rescheduled due to inclement weather, so I enjoyed the day observing teachers at Midway High! I also love being back "home."