The Month of June

Okay so clearly I am a bit behind on my blog. It is October and I am trying to catch up from the final month of my "official" tour of duty. For most, you may agree with the following cartoon:


For others, I appreciate your support and willingness to follow my somewhat crazy blog! Although it is late, I would certainly feel as though I left my year incomplete if I did not finish out my TOY year via blog!

June was a month of mixed emotions. From watching the class I taught as both Freshmen and Juniors graduate, to handing over the NCTOY job to Tyronna Hooker, my emotions were on a roller coaster this month!

On June 7, I attended the North Carolina Business Committee for Education in Raleigh and enjoyed the opportunity to talk about the role of business in public education. This is truly a dedicated group of individuals who want to work with our public schools to graduate the most capable, creative and analytic students to work in NC.

On June 9, I watched my students walk across the stage in caps and gowns. As most teachers, I felt like a watched my own children graduate. We loose sleep; we worry; we stay at school late figuring out the best way to reteach the material; we listen to their problems; we cheer them on at ballgames; we dry their tears. They really are like our own children aren't they? Occasionally they will return to say hello. A few years down the road, a email from a former student will make your day. We watch them transition to the next phase of life and hope that in some small way, we made a difference. Here are a few fun photos from the graduation ceremony at Midway High School.


Erin, Caroline and Maria are three of the coolest, funniest, and most intelligent ladies I know. They were Marshalls for this years graduation.

All of us are Meredith Angels and we wanted to relive our "ring dinner" days! I truly enjoy working with you ladies!


Jacob and Edgar are two of my most unforgettable students. I am very proud of you two!

The following week I had the opportunity to lead a professional development workshop for Lenoir County Schools. I had a great time and really enjoyed talking with this group! Thanks to Steve Hill for inviting me.

Then I was packing my bags for CHINA! I was so excited!

My Guest Blog on the Importance of Social Studies

Click here to read: Ya Say You Want a Revolution?

Week of May 30

Is it really time for EOC and end-of-the-year checklists?

I spent Memorial Day with my family and friends and enjoyed the opportunity to relax, at least a little! I know many school districts were using Memorial Day as a make-up day and I was thankful we did not have to be in school! I leave for China in just a couple of weeks and I was glad to have the day with my children!

On Tuesday, I met with a few of my summer co-workers for the Global Initiative Program with the FuHsing School in Taipei. I am saddened that my schedule will not be flexible enough this summer to teach English for this truly amazing program. I know the students will have a great summer at Meredith College!

On Wednesday and Thursday I was in Raleigh for the June State Board of Education Meeting. I had missed the May meeting as I was in DC and it was good to be back with such a dedicated focused group! Wednesday was full of good discussion, big issues and lots of information. The Board listened to presentations including an update from the Blue RibbonTask Force on Compulsory Attendance Age, a new program to increase the number of High School Graduates in Haywood County, and the new World Language initiative in Lee County Schools. North Carolina Public Schools are doing some amazing things! We also had the opportunity to hear from the Teacher Effectiveness workgroup. There was lots of good information to think about and discuss.

On Thursday, the State Board recognized three outgoing advisors. I will miss all three of these very dedicated, passionate and insightful folks next year. Jessica and Jan, you guys have not only been my mentors and co-advisors, but you have become friends I admire and respect. I will miss seeing you guys at every meeting. Dr. Hoke, I will miss your perspective and humor. I am so grateful to have met you.

The SBE also heard updates around Race to the Top and ACRE. The meeting was concluded by a very powerful, passionate and articulate speech by Chairman Dr. Bill Harrison. I cannot do justice to his words in summary and I have posted the video below. I encourage you to watch.



Here are some of the photos from Thursday's meeting as we said good-bye to three advisors.
(Jessica Garner, 2009-2010 NC Teacher of the Year)
(Jan King, 2010-2011 NC Principal of the Year)
(Dr. Jack Hoke, 2009 North Carolina Superintendent of the Year)
(Jan King, Kevin Howell (SBE member), me, and Jessica Garner at the end of Thursday's SBE meeting)

For more information regarding the June SBE meeting, please click the link on the right.
To read Dr. Harrison's blog following Thursday's meeting, please click here.

Following the SBE meeting on Thursday, I attended the Teachers and Leaders Subcommittee meeting of the Governor's Education Transformation Commission. During our meeting, we engaged in rich dialogue about IHEs, Teacher Corps, and began talking about Teacher Effectiveness.

On Friday, I was in the office and on the computer! My eyes hurt by the end of the day!

Week of May 23

I can hardly believe that my year is quickly coming to a close. This week means there is only one month left before I hand over the duties to Tyronna Hooker, 2011-2012NC Teacher of the Year. I have truly enjoyed every moment of the amazing, crazy ride!

This week gave me some time to get some research for an upcoming PD session finished and to work on my preparations for China and the final weeks of my TOY year. On Monday I spent time in the office and with some of my amazing co-workers at Midway High School. Whether I am overwhelmed or balanced, stressed or relaxed, my friends and school family offer me more inspiration than words can say! Thank you all for always welcoming me back home as though I never left. I love you guys so much!

On Tuesday morning, I met with Meredith Henderson from the Center for International Understanding for my orientation for our trip to China! How exciting! I could hardly pay attention. I just wanted to cheer every other sentence! Thanks Meredith for all of the work you put into making our trip successful. We leave on June 16 and I will do my best to post photographs regularly!

I then traveled to Stokes County to attend and speak at their Teacher of the Year Banquet. I also experienced the most terrifying storm I have ever driven through. It was a pretty scary hail storm! Crystal Folger-Hawks is so amazing. I had the opportunity to get to know Crystal at NCCAT last summer. Crystal was in charge of the TOY banquet and it was truly fabulous! From Mardi Gras Beads and decorations to great food, it was a wonderful night! Congratulations to James Kirkpatrick, Principal of the Year for Stokes County Schools and to Jennifer Via, Teacher of the Year for Stokes County Schools.
(With Jennifer Via, the newly named Stokes County Teacher of the Year)
(With Crystal Folger-Hawks)

On Wednesday, I was office bound....sigh. I realize that I would not do well in an office type job with no interaction with people! Long day of isolated research, reading, and filing....oh my!

Thursday I was so excited to attend the Midway High School Senior Awards night. It was with mixed emotions that I gave the welcome to the Class of 2011. This was the last group that I taught almost every single student in this class. I am so proud of each of them but sad to in a sense say good-bye to such truly amazing young adults. I will be one proud "Mama Fatch" to see each of you graduate!

On Friday I continued to work on office "stuff" and enjoyed an afternoon with my two children!

Week of May May 16

This week allowed me the opportunity to work with some real, live students! WHOOO! This week was just what I needed to reconnect with students and observe great teaching.

I spent Monday starring at the mess in my office. How could I possibly have collected this much stuff this year? I wonder if I will ever sort through all of this!

On Tuesday, our EPFP class had our final meeting. I don't know what I am going to do on Tuesday nights now! I have enjoyed this program and the opportunity to network with others who share my love of educational policy! I have learned so much from our meetings. Kendall Jordan and JoAnn Norris are truly wonderful leaders and I have learned so much from you both!

Wednesday was so exciting because I was back in the classroom at least for a little while. Seniors were nervously waiting for their time to present their graduation projects to the judges and juniors were piled into Ms. Hales' classroom where we had a few laughs while reviewing U.S History! To my seniors, you guys were awesome! I heard nothing but great things about your presentations! Ms. Hales and the Class of 2012, thanks for letting me be a part of your U.S. History review! I had fun with you guys!

On Thursday, I finished up some research and packed my bags for another adventure in TOY land. I really feel as though I could have my own show called "Small Towns in NC" because I have driven through so many and I love them! If you are planning a vacation in NC, let me know. I now know the state well!

On Friday, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to spend the day observing the 2010 South Carolina Teacher of the Year, Bryan Coburn. Mr. Coburn is a pre-engineering, computer programming and business teacher at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, SC. If you want to see student learning and leadership fostered, spend the day in Mr. Coburn's class. I was so impressed by the leadership of both Mr. Coburn and his students as they tackled projects I would not have successfully completed! From a motorized marble sorter that would sort the marbles by color to reverse engineering, these students were amazing! The rapport was positive, the work of both the students and teachers was professional, and the teamwork was dynamic. I learned a great deal and enjoyed spending the day surrounded by great teaching and dedicated students!
Thanks for letting me spend the day with you guys!

My Reflections on NCCAT

I was honored to be a part of the newest video about how the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) impacts teachers. Thanks to NCCAT for all you continue to do help teachers in the leap from good to great! And a special thanks to Will and Deni McIntyre for your dedication and hard work on these NCCAT videos. You can find more videos from teachers, administrators and superintendents by visiting www.nccat.org

Teaching is Not a Part-Time Job

I recently read a brief article that I thought was interesting and I wanted to share. Click the link below to read "Not a Part-Time Job." I welcome your comments and questions.

Not a Part-Time Job