Holiday Greetings

    As I sit at my computer this morning, I can't believe its already the holiday season! I'm sure many of you are asking, “Where has the time gone?” It feels like just yesterday I was starting my NC Teacher of the Year travels and now I am almost to the halfway point. I cannot believe how fast the year is flying by!

   While I travel from the mountains to the sea, I hear from teachers who are frustrated with the new curriculum and the many hurdles that they have to climb over. This is completely understandable, but I want you to know that you are not alone. This is a difficult year to be a teacher not only in North Carolina but also in the United States because of the changes in curriculum, assessment, and evaluations. However, I think frustrations are to be expected when change is present. Change and frustrations help us to step outside of our comfort zones and look at teaching from a different view. Is it difficult?  Yes, of course it is. But, just think of where we were in August and how far we have already come this school year. 

   As I cross the state, I see teachers who are determined to do whatever it takes to help their students succeed. I have watched amazing Common Core lessons where the students are learning, understanding, and having fun. I have talked with teachers who are so passionate about teaching that they are willing to collaborate with teachers across the state, so their students can be more successful. But what stands out the most, is the countless number of teachers who remember that our focus is and should always be on our students. Students are the reason we as teachers go to school each day. Students are the ones who bring a smile to our faces. Students are the ones who helped us to realize that teaching was the career that we were meant to do. 

   It can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day changes that are happening in our career. But I want to challenge each of you, to continue to focus on our students. Our students are our futures. And from the students in your classrooms, schools and across the state I want to say, "Thank you for everything you do each day!"

   I hope each of you have a wonderful holiday season with your friends, families, and loved ones. Please remember if there is anything I can do to help you, you can contact me at darcygrimesnctoy@gmail.com.

   Thank you again for everything you do each day for the students of North Carolina! – 2012-13 NC Teacher of the Year Darcy Grimes

Regional Teacher's Holiday Dinner

I had a wonderful time getting together with some of the Regional Teachers for a holiday dinner.  Thank you so much for everything you do for the students of North Carolina!

Jenni Clayton, Darcy Grimes, Jen Arberg, Karrie Detwiler, Edith Callahan and
taking the wonderful picture is Lenora Crabtree!

http://www.ncpublicschools.org/recruitment/recognition/toy/

UNCW Teacher Cadets

On November 30th, I had the opportunity to travel to Wilmington to speak with the Teacher Cadets at UNCW.  It was wonderful being able to talk with so many high school students who are choosing teaching as their career.  I was also very impressed by the number of students who are thinking about English as a Second Language and Exceptional Children.  Thank you!

UNC Pembroke Teaching Fellows

Thank you to the UNC Pembroke Teaching Fellows for allowing me to come and speak with you on November 28th.  I had a wonderful time sharing my experiences and answering the thoughtful questions that you had.  Below is two pictures that I took while on campus.  One picture is of all of the UNCP Teaching Fellows and the second picture is of the wonderful bulletin board!

UNCP Teaching Fellows

An Amazing Bulletin Board!

UNC Greensboro future teachers

Thank you to Regional teacher Jen Arberg for allowing me to come and speak with future teachers at UNC Greensboro.  I had a great time working with future teachers and sharing classroom experiences. 

Jen Arberg-Regional TOY, Darcy Grimes, NCTOY, UNCG student, UNCG professor

UNCA Teaching Fellows

Thank you so much to the UNC Asheville Teaching Fellows for allowing me to come and speak on November 16th.  I had a great time talking with future teachers and being able to share how to use technology as a tool in the classroom.  Remember that we are the teachers and technology is just the tool to teach!

Google Education

Did you know that Google as an Education section?  It is very helpful for teachers when working with google apps.  The site has lesson plans, educator resources, classroom videos, and much more!

http://www.google.com/edu/teachers/lesson-plan-search.html

Christmas Ornaments from Ashe County, NC

As many of you already know the White House Christmas Tree this year came from Ashe County, NC. Lindsey Postlethwait, an art teacher in Ashe County at Blue Ridge Elementary School, is giving her students a chance to have their art displayed at the White House. In the form of Christmas Ornaments! Her students created ornaments like the ones below which will then hang on the Christmas tree at the White House.

Ornaments created by students at Blue Ridge Elementary School.

Sandhill Leadership Academy Cohort 2

On November 15th, I had the opportunity to travel on Pottery Highway to Carthage, NC.  It was a beautiful drive and I was very excited to have the chance to speak with future administrators who are in the Sandhills Leadership Academy Cohort 2.  It was wonderful to work with excellent teachers who are taking the step into education leadership roles. Thank you for everything you do for students!

Blue Ridge Elementary- Ashe County

On November 14th, I was excited to have the opportunity to travel back into the mountains to Blue Ridge Elementary School  in Ashe County.  While there I had the opportunity to work with teachers and discuss global education, web 2.0 tools, and integrating technology into the classroom.  We had wonderful discussions about the importance of using technology to have our students collaborate and communicate with students across the state and world. 

Thank you teachers at Blue Ridge for everything you do for your students and for allowing me to visit your wonderful school!

American and International Education Week- ECSU

On November 13, I had the opportunity to travel to the coast to beautiful Elizabeth City State University and participate in their American and International Education Week celebration.  This was a wonderful day and one of my highlights!  I was so impressed with Elizabeth City State University and how often they thanked teachers for what they do.  Teachers don't hear it enough!  The entire day at ECSU was scheduled to celebrate American and International Education Week and to celebrate and thank teachers.  It was wonderful!  

When I arrived at ECSU I thought I was only giving a speech on global education, I had no idea the wonderful surprises that were to come.  Before I spoke, two preschool students came up on stage to present me with a flower.  They were precious!  I then spoke with teachers and the audience about  the importance of global education.  The rest of the day involved: a beautiful trophy, wonderful gospel music, an excellent lunch, participation in a ribbon cutting ceremony, and hearing the Chancellor and the Dean of the College of Education thanking teachers numerous times.  It was a wonderful day!  I drove away from Elizabeth City with a full heart and proud to be a teacher.

Thank you Elizabeth City State University for a wonderful experience and for celebrating teachers!


Links to the press release on the ECSU site below:

http://www.ecsu.edu/administration/ia/urm/headline.cfm?ID=11787

http://www.ecsu.edu/events/intledweek/grimes.cfm

http://www.dailyadvance.com/news/grimes-students-must-know-world-1365913

NC Central Teaching Fellows

On November 12th, I traveled to Durham to speak with the NC Central Teaching Fellows.  We discussed classroom management, teaching the whole child, global education, and connecting classrooms across the state.  The teaching fellows were a wonderful group and I was very impressed with their  thought provoking questions about the present and future of education.  Thank you so much for allowing me to come and speak with you!

NCCAT

On November 9th and 10th, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with a group of teachers at NCCAT located in Cullowhee, NC.  NCCAT stands for North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching. According to their website: 

The NCCAT Mission: To Advance Teaching as an Art and a Profession

NCCAT's mission is to keep high-quality teachers in the classroom, advancing teaching beyond that of a simple job to an art form and a profession.  Be renewing their love for teaching, and improving the quality and enthusiasm of the teachers themselves, NCCAT ultimately improves student engagement in learning and academic achievement. 

NCCAT's vision is to help every North Carolina teacher grow in knowledge, skills, compassion, and professionalism so that every student becomes engaged, self-motivated, and successful. 

NCCAT helps to retain the most caring, highly qualified, and skilled teachers necessary to positively impact the quality of public education in North Carolina.  Dedicated to enriching the professional lives of our state's public school teachers, NCCAT provies support for the entire spectrum of their teaching career.


While at NCCAT, I had the opportunity to work with teachers on web 2.0 tools and integrating technology into the Common Core and the teachers' classrooms.  We had a wonderful week and I was so impressed with how much the teachers were able to accomplish in 1 week.  We had teachers who created wikis, blogs, and websites for their classes to use.  While others created lessons using eduglogster, blabberize, voki, animoto, and many other web 2.0 tools.

Many teachers took the opportunity to share with their colleagues what they had learned during NCCAT by creating an animoto video.  Below is Charisma Arbogast's video.  I was so impressed with all of the hard work the teachers put in for their students!  Thank you teachers and thank you Barb for a wonderful week!

Charima Arbogast's animoto video: http://animoto.com/play/XLX7bRYRSuBV0OK4DGNZzg

Race to the Top Update

The following information comes from the Race to the Top weekly update:

Next Generation Assessments Released Forms––Online Version

The online versions of the End-of-Course Assessments of Algebra I/Integrated I, English II and Biology and the NCEXTEND2Assessments of Algebra I/Integrated I, English II,and Biology released forms are now available at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/testing/releasedforms. On the website you will find a chart that includes the online version and the paper-and-pencil versions of the 2012-13 released forms.

Podcasts on Common Core, New Assessments and More

With the many changes occurring in the NC Standard Course of Study, along with new assessments, a new educator evaluation system and more, NCDPI has produced a number of podcasts for teachers, principals, parents and others interested in a video resource to explain the work under way. Topics include READY Overview, Why the Common Core, Assessments, Educator Effectiveness Common Exams and more. Visit http://www.ncpublicschools.org/ready/resources to access these podcasts.

Lessons for Learning for Mathematics

These K-8 documents were created by selecting high leverage tasks from the DPI Week-by-Week and Strategies for Instruction Documents and rewritten to align to the Common Core Math Standards. These lessons incorporate the Standards for Mathematical Practice to support teachers with the implementation of the Common Core Math Standards.  The intent of this document is to support current teacher resources. Because of the high demand for support materials, a first draft has been posted on the wiki:http://maccss.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/home.  More of these lessons will be forthcoming. 

UNCC

On Wednesday, I traveled to Charlotte to speak with Teacher Cadets, Teaching Fellows, Education Majors, SNCAE students, and Kappa Delta Pi students at UNCC. They were a wonderful group that was very excited about teaching and education.

NC State Board of Education

Did you know each month the minutes and agenda items for the North Carolina State Board of Education are posted online?  You can get to them by going to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/ and clicking in the upper right hand corner "SBE Meetings".  When you click, it will take you to the eboard site. Then find "meetings" in the top tool bar.

You can also go here: https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/Index.aspx?S=10399#

Free Website Creators

Many teachers are creating their own websites to share information with their students, parents, and fellow teachers.  Below are 2 website creators and videos:


Weebly:  http://www.weebly.com/

Wix: http://www.wix.com/

UNCW

On Monday, I had the opportunity to travel to Wilmington to speak with the UNCW Teaching Fellows and Education Majors.  As soon as I walked in their Education Building I was impressed!  It is a beautiful building will so much to offer for students.  I was even more impressed once I had the opportunity to talk with the students who spend each day inside that amazing building.  Each student I spoke with was excited and enthusiastic about teaching.  What stood out the most though, was the thought provoking questions that they asked.  I could tell just by their questions that they want to become the best teachers that they can be!  Thank you for a wonderful trip to Wilmington! I greatly enjoyed talking with each of you!

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Twitter Help

Are you interested in using Twitter, but are confused my all of the # and @?  If so, check out the article below.  This article helped me tremendously when trying to understand the world of Twitter. Good Luck and happy tweeting!

http://www.teachthought.com/technology/the-complete-guide-to-twitter-hashtags-in-education/

IIS= HomeBase

The Department of Instruction has been working very hard on the IIS, Instructional Improvement System, which is a technology system/ program that will be a resource for all teachers.  The READY diagram below will help explain what the IIS will look like.

With further work, DPI has decided to not only create an IIS but to have one platform that will help teachers easily find the resources that are needed to help students to succeed.  Their goal is to create one platform with one log in that will give teachers access to the new PowerSchool (in the past we have used NCWISE/ESIS) and the IIS.  This new platform will be called HomeBase because it will be the main place that teachers across NC will go when creating lessons, drafting assessments, grading, and taking attendance.  The READY diagram below will help explain this.

The goal for HomeBase is to be piloted among school systems in the year 2013 and to have a complete roll out in the school year 2013-2014.

ASU Football Game

I just want to say thank you to Appalachian State University for a wonderful football game on October 20th.  My husband and I had a wonderful time watching the game and having the opportunity to go down on the field during half time.  Thank you for a wonderful time!

Campbell University

Campbell University

On Monday I traveled to Buies Creek, NC to visit Campbell University.  As soon as I drove on campus I realized how pretty the campus was!  While there I had the opportunity to talk with Teaching Fellows and education majors.  It was wonderful to be able to talk with so many future teachers about the future of public education.  Thank you so much for the opportunity to visit Campbell!

Appalachian State University

On Friday, I had the opportunity to go home and visit Appalachian State University.  It was wonderful to be back on the campus where my journey started many years ago!  While there I met many wonderful educators on the ASU Advancement Board, spoke with eager Teaching Fellows and education majors, and had the opportunity to meet many generous donors that have helped the College of Education over the years.  I loved being around so many future teachers and teachers who are excited about the future of public  education!  Thank you so much for a wonderful day at App!

ASU Teaching Fellow Jamie Violette

ASU Teaching Fellow Natalie Nido

Eric Carle

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Eric Carle today!  Many of you would know him as the author and illustrator of books such as Brown Bear, Brown Bear, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and The Grouchy Lady Bug. 

ECU Teacher Cadet Day

Yesterday I traveled to Greenville, NC to ECU for their Teacher Cadet Day.  While there I had the opportunity to talk with juniors and seniors who have shown interest in teaching.  It was wonderful being around so many excited students.  Good luck to everyone for the rest of the high school careers and their future teaching careers!

Former UNC President William Friday's legacy remembered at memorial service

                                AP Photo from Fayobserver.com

Article can be found at: http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2012/10/18/1211456?sac=fo.local

AdvancED Conference

I had a wonderful time meeting excellent educators at the AdvancED Conference in Greensboro.  The theme for the conference was "Creating the Future: Local Focus Global Impact".  I had the opportunity to discuss with others about how technology can open up doors for students.  When technology is used as a tool in the classroom students can collaborate, with other students across North Carolina, the United States, and abroad.

Check out more information about the conference and AdvancEd at: http://www.advanc-ed.org/

Storyteller, Musician, and Author at Bethel Elementary

I had a chance to go back home and visit the wonderful students and staff at Bethel Elementary School.  While I was there, Bethel was hosting two wonderful guest speakers.  One guest was Joe Shannon who is an amazing musician and author.  The other guest was Bethel alum and local Ned Trivette who is a wonderful storyteller.  The two guests spent their day entertaining small groups of students by playing instruments and telling stories.  Joe Shannon also read his book titled Tennis Shoe Love which was located in our library.  Thank you both Mr. Shannon and Mr. Trivette for visiting Bethel! It was a wonderful day!

Public Education

Three questions to ask yourself:

1. What is the purpose of public education?
2. What is public about public education?
3. How does liberty relate to public education?

Wonderful Resources from DPI

Here are two wonderful sites that I have become familiar with today.  I want to share them with all of the teachers, administrators, and superintendents.  They are wonderful resources that can help teachers state wide.

http://www.achievethecore.org/  Achieve the Core: This website has many solid resources on the Common Core Standards K-12.

http://wikicentral.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/NCDPI+WikiCentral+Page  Wiki Central:  This is a symbaloo that is created by NC DPI.  It includes all of the wikispaces that hold information and resources for teachers. 

Exxon Commercial

Exxon Mobile: Proud to Support America's Teachers.

AASL 25 Best Website List 2012

Here is a link to the American Association of School Librarian's best websites for teaching and learning.  Each year the AASL comes out with a list of the top 25 websites for teachers.  Go to the link below to see 2012's list and past years.

AASL Site: http://www.ala.org/aasl/guidelinesandstandards/bestlist/bestwebsitestop25

Digital Storytelling: Zooburst

I wanted to share a Web 2.0 tool that you may not have used in your classroom before.  It is called www.zooburst.com  and can be integrated into K-12 classrooms.  This site allows you or the student to create their own pop up story book.  The students can choose their own characters, settings, and story line.  They can then share their pop up book with their friends or embed it into a blog/ website to take home and show their parents.

Screenshot below:

Teachers Addressing Teachers

Video from Southeastern Regional Teacher of the Year Melissa Warren and Brunswick County Teacher of the Year Laura Hunter.

Turkey Festival in Raeford, NC

On September 13th I had the opportunity to travel to Hoke County and spend the day at TW Turlington Alternative School.  I  had a great time meeting teachers who work extremely hard every day to help their students be successful in life. Regional teacher Karrie Detwiler and I were able to work with the middle and high school students with the critical thinking/ team building games that we learned at NCCAT.  I had an awesome time!

That afternoon Raeford had their annual Turkey Festival Parade.  I was honored that Karrie Detwiler asked me to join her and the TW Turlington teacher of the year in the parade! We had a great time and I was so impressed with how many spectators yelled "thank you teachers!" to us as we drove by.  It was a great experience!

(Pictures can be found on my facebook page.)

Teachers Pay Teachers

I am sure most teachers have already heard of this wonderful resource, but if you haven't you should check it out.  Teachers Pay Teachers is a website where teachers can buy and sell their amazing lessons.  This site is an open market place for educators that has lessons for all subjects and grade levels.  Check it out below!

Here is an article discussing Teachers Pay Teachers: http://edtechdigest.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/interview-teacherspayteachers-millions-of-dollars/

Here is the actual exciting site: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/

September State Board Meeting Notes

Looking forward to the school year 2014-2015:

60-70% of professional development will be online

Instructional Improvement System (IIS)
* differentiated instruction
* data for students, teachers, parents

Emphasis on assessment:
* formative
* diagnostic
* benchmark

Intensive debate about 19th Century and 20th Centrury artifacts:
* conversations about grading
* actual grades PreK-12

New Tools:
* cloud computing
* bring your own device


Useful resources for ALL teachers:

http://newlitcollaborative.ning.com/ New Literacies Collaborative at the Friday Institute

READY: Wiki for each Region

The following are links to each region's wiki.  Each wiki has wonderful resources for the teachers in that region including professional development. 

Region 1:http://region1rttt.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/

Region 2:http://ncregion2.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/

Region 3:http://region3pd.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/

Region 4:http://rt3region4.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/

Region 5:http://ncregion5rttt.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/

Region 6:http://region6pd.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/

Region 7:http://rt3region7.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/

Region 8:http://region8wnc.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/


Implementing ITES- Common Core- Essential Standards:  http://ites.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/Implementing+ITES-CCES

The Voice of an Active Learner

LearnZillion

Learn Zillion is a FREE site for teachers.  The site launched 2,000 free lessons for grades 3-8 this week!  All of the lessons are aligned with the Common Core and were created by amazing teachers all over the country.  When you go to the site: www.learnzillion.com you have the choice between Math or Language Arts.  Once you choose, you can search the site based on grade level, strand, standard, or you can search for a specific key word.  The lessons include a video lesson, quiz, lesson slides for an interactive white board, and teacher commentary about the lesson.

Learn Zillion also has an organizational tool that gives teachers the option to save specific lessons in a calendar for them to use in the future.  This allows teachers to plan ahead with ease. 

The Leaders of Bonlee

I had the honor to spend Thursday morning with the staff of Bonlee School located in Chatham County.  While visiting, Trisha Caviness gave me a tour of their newly redecorated school.  This year Bonlee School will be focusing on Stephen Covey's The Leader in Me and the 7 Habits.  They have spent a very busy summer decorating their school so students, staff, and visitors are able to see leaders everywhere they look.  I had a wonderful time talking with teachers about student leaders.  The students of Bonlee School are in for a treat when they return back to school.  The newly painted school, energy from the teachers, and the focus of the 7 Habits will make for an amazing school year!

Below are some pictures of Bonlee School.

 

Ray Childers Elementary School

On Monday I also had the opportunity to visit Ray Childers Elementary School which is located in Burke County.  As soon as I walked into the building I was welcomed and made to feel part of their school family.  The energy in the school was amazing and everyone was motivated and excited about the new year to come.  While there, I was able to talk with the faculty about what makes a good teacher.  Is it just high test scores and tests?  Or is it something else?  Something that comes from deep inside all of us.  For most it is the reason we decided to enter the education profession... HEART.  We had wonderful discussions about the following quote:

"Modern education is premised strongly on materialistic values.  it is vital that when educating our children's brains that we do not neglect to educate their hearts, a key element of which as to be the nurturing of our compassionate nature." - Dalai Lama

As I drove away from the school I thought about all of the amazing things that the teachers of Ray Childers Elementary School are going to accomplish this year.  With the excitement and motivation that all of the teachers have, I know they will make a positive impact on every child in their classroom. Thank you teachers for all that you do everyday!

Here is a press release from Ray Childers' local newspaper:  http://www2.morganton.com/news/2012/aug/20/nc-teacher-year-visits-burke-school-ar-2534683/

 

Kids Read and Ride Program

On Monday, I had the opportunity to visit Marvin Ward Elementary School which is located in Winston Salem/ Forsythe County.  While there I was able to speak with many teachers about the upcoming school year.  We discussed the new Common Core, why we entered the teaching profession, and childhood obesity.  They shared with me that in order to motivate students to read and make an impact with childhood obesity they started a Kids Read and Ride Program four years ago.  The way the Read and Ride program works is that teachers sign up to take their students into the Read and Ride Room.  This room is full of... stationary bikes!  Students then have the opportunity to read their favorite books and magazines while they are riding their bikes!  Students love it!  What a great way to motivate students!

If you would like to check out their Kids Read and Ride program please click on the link below.

http://kidsreadandride.com/

Below is a preview of what you can find on this wonderful site!

Web 2.0 tools and Excited Teachers

Last week I had the opportunity to travel to C.B. Eller Elementary School which is located in the Wilkes County School System.  As soon as I walked into the front door of the school, I could feel the happiness and excitement of a new school year about to begin. 

I started by showing examples of the project based learning assignments that my students worked on last year.  I explained how my students worked on PBL assignments not only with students in our classroom, but also with students across the state and abroad.  I then walked them through many of the Web 2.0 tools that my students used such as: ooVoo, Voki, blabberize, eduglogster, kidblog, and edmodo.  Once I had finished speaking, the fun part began.  The principal of C.B. Eller gave all of the teachers time to work within their grade level and create a lesson using one of the Web 2.0 tools that I had showed them.  That way each teacher was able to walk away from the meeting with a new tool that they could use in their classrooms.

If someone would have walked into the media center while all of the teachers were working on their Web 2.0 tools, they would have thought they had walked into some sort of a party.  The laughter, noises, and excitement was enough to put a smile on anyone's face.   

As I left the school that day I found myself thinking about how lucky the students of C.B. Eller are to have such excited and wonderful teachers.  Teachers who are more then willing to go above and beyond to make the classroom engaging and motivating.  Teachers who are not afraid of change or technology, but instead realize that this is the direction that the world is headed.  And most of all teachers who care about their students success.

Back to School

With the beginning of the school year here, I will be honest and say that I feel a little sad that I won't have my own classroom this year.  However, I do want to say good luck to all the teachers that will!  Here are a couple of sites that I found that might be helpful for the beginning of a new school year. 

Enjoy!

1st Day ideas: http://teachbytes.com/2012/08/05/21st-century-icebreakers-10-ways-to-get-to-know-your-students-with-technology/

Book lists connected to the Common Core and Essential Standards: http://listbuilder.scholastic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StandardsBrowseView?storeId=10001 

Free audiobook for kids: http://storynory.com/

Apps for teachers: http://appadvice.com/applists/show/apps-for-teachers

iPads in the Art Room: http://ipadsintheartroom.weebly.com/index.html

Wonderful ways to use google docs in the classroom: http://soxnevad.edu.glogster.com/bulletin-board

August State Board Meeting

mClass/Reading 3D:

During this month's State Board Meeting it was discussed to have mClass/Reading 3D Diagnostic Testing mandatory K-3 in the year 2013-2014.  The law states

“Kindergarten, first, second, and third grade students shall be assessed with valid, reliable, formative, and diagnostic reading assessments made available to local school administrative units by the State Board of Education pursuant to G.S. 115C-174.11(a).”

The state began the mClass Reading 3D Diagnostic initiative in 2009.  It is felt that by having mClass mandatory across the state, then this law will be met.  After much discussion it was decided to move this to a First Reading for the month of September.

Technology:

The idea of a Bring Your Own Device model was discussed by Dr. June Atkinson.  She discussed that in the future 50-60 percent of our Professional Development for teachers can be delivered by a personal device

Important quotes from the day:

"Digital Education will be a game changer for education. The world will not be the same."

"I want to see technology 24/7.  Learning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in all counties with the use of technology."


Tune in to the GCS Committee in September for a brief summary on digital learning and digital literacies. 

Thank you:

Dr. William Harrison states, "I want to thank those teachers who do it every day.  Those teachers who work 24 hours a day.  And we have not demonstrated this support in the past couple of years.  We believe in teachers and support teachers.  There are not enough that appreciate teachers the way they should."

Dr. June Atkinson states, "We are proud of the hard work that our teachers, students, and educational staff do each year."

ABCs:
http://testabc1116.dpi.state.nc.us/abcs/  

High School Graduation Rate:
 For the year 2011-2012 our state has a graduation rate of 80%.  Which is an increase from 2010-2011.

DPI Site:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/ 

July 18

         I want to say thank you to the US Army and the Golden Knights for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.  On July 18 I did my first tandem jump with Joe Jones.  I was extremely nervous at the thought of jumping out of an airplane, but I knew I was in good hands.  The entire experience was amazing.  I am so thankful to have had the opportunity!  Please check out the links below.

Article from the Golden Knights website: 

 http://armygk.armylive.dodlive.mil/2012/07/20/tandem-with-north-carolinas-teacher-of-the-year/

Youtube Video of the entire experience:
http://youtu.be/c6a3rhTgl9k

July 9-13

     I spent this week in Ocracoke at NCCAT.  I was very excited to have the opportunity to attend the seminar on North Carolina Mountains to Sea.  There were many wonderful presenters and I learned a great deal about our wonderful state.  The seminar made me even more excited to be able to travel across the state this year and visit many of the wonderful schools that we have.  I also had the opportunity to meet many outstanding teachers from all of the North Carolina regions.  I learned a great deal from each of them about what makes their regions and schools unique.

            Trisha Caviness and I are attempting to hold up the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

June 2012

          I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Teacher of the Year Leadership Seminar at NCCAT in Cullowee, NC.  During this seminar I met so many amazing Regional and District Teachers of the Year.  During the week long seminar we had many opportunities to learn from each other.  We were also able to experience hiking, breaking boards, and white water rafting together.  It was an amazing adventure that I will never forget.  Thank you for this opportunity!

May 2012

          I am honored to be named the North Carolina Teacher of the Year for 2012-2013.  Since I was young I have always had a dream to teach and to help others.  I believe that students today have a great deal of potential within themselves; however they need us to help guide them to be successful.  Through the teacher of the year selection process, I have been able to meet eight outstanding teachers who help their students succeed each day.  These eight teachers are the NC Regional Winners who will now work together to make up the “NC Teacher Team”.  We will be working together this coming school year to be a resource and a voice for all of the teachers in North Carolina.

            Each year the NC Teacher of the Year travels across our beautiful state visiting schools, districts, and universities.  I am very excited to be given this opportunity.  I look forward to meeting many of North Carolina’s wonderful teachers.  Over the next year I want to help teachers connect with other teachers across our state in order to collaborate on lessons to help students learn.  Our students need to work together with students not only in our own schools, but also with students across our state.

In addition to having the opportunity to talk with teachers across the state, I will also have a seat on the State Board to be a voice for all teachers.  I want to extend the offer to contact me if you have any thoughts or concerns that you would like me to discuss.  I look forward to meeting many of you in the upcoming year.