Educational Policy Fellowship Program General Assembly Day

On Tuesday, May 7 I went with my Educational Policy Fellowship Program class to visit the General Assembly.  We sat in on many sessions and heard several guest speakers.  I learned so much this day!  I am very thankful to have had the opportunity for this experience!

West Greene Elementary

The afternoon of May 6th, I traveled to Greene County to speak with the staff at West Greene Elementary.  When I walked in I was met by the guidance counselor.  She showed me around and took me to her room to meet with 3 students.  The students asked me amazing questions! I had so much fun talking with them and learning about their school.

After school we met in the library.  I spoke about Global Education and shared some of the projects that my students have done.  Greene County as lots of technology so I was trying to give the teachers more ideas of what they could do with it.  They are a wonderful staff!  I really enjoyed having this opportunity!

North Drive Elementary School

On May 6th, I traveled to Wayne County and visited North Drive Elementary School.  As soon as I walked in I was greeted by 2 students.  One that was in 1st grade and one in 3rd grade.  They shook my hands and welcomed me to the school.  They then led me, their teacher, and their principal to the library.  Once we entered the library I saw that they had an entire display set up.  There were table cloths, food, 10 students K-5, and several teachers.  The students showed me through the buffet and then found their seats.  While we were eating I sat with several teachers of the year and we talked about educational issues including global education.  When we were finished the students were ready to ask me questions.  It was so cute! They did such a wonderful job and I could tell that they had practiced their questions!  After they had finished the title 1 teacher, NDES teacher of the year, presented me with 4 books.  He explained to me that he is an author and has had some children's books published.  He signed the books and told me they were to share with my students back at Bethel.  I was so excited!  Books for my students are a wonderful gift!  I was also presented with some flowers.

The students were then back in action and they were the tour guides.  They lined up and took me around the school and into each classroom.  There were 2 students leaders per grade.  They divided the grade levels in half and each student showed me 2 to 3 rooms before we dropped them off at their own school.  They were amazing!

When we started to get towards the end there were 2 wonderful 4th graders.  The one was wearing a suit and tie.  I told him he looked very nice today.  He said, "Well they told me that the best teacher in the state was coming so it thought... man... I better wear my best clothes for her!"  It was adorable!  When he took me into his classroom his class and teacher was rapping about math facts.  He joined in and taught me a couple of lyrics.  I loved it!

Scholastic News

I found out that the STOYs and the NTOY Jeff made the front page of Scholastic News.  I was so excited about this because I have been reading Scholastic News since I was in 3rd grade! This means so much!

http://sni.scholastic.com/top-news/2013/04/Teachers-of-the-Year

NC Teacher of the Year Luncheon 2013-2014

On May 2nd I went to the State Board of Education meeting in the morning and the NC Teacher of the Year Luncheon in the afternoon.  I was excited that Joseph had the opportunity to come to both the SBE meeting and the luncheon.  It was a neat feeling to not be nervous this year, like I was last year!

When I got up and spoke about my year I showed many pictures from my travels.  I tried to focus on the things that I accomplished and did rather than on the things that I received.  It was a very strange feeling to stand up on stage and give my farewell speech.  In a way I feel like I just spoke my acceptance speech!

Click the link to look at my presentation and pictures! https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DqcrUIc_xvaNtSDsTTfrFiVURXytUwYIpdrVazO6qgg/edit?usp=sharing

After I spoke they announced the new Teacher of the Year.  Which is... drum roll please... Karyn Dickerson from Guilford County!  I was so excited for her!  She teaches high school English at Grizzly High School.  She had a wonderful acceptance speech! I know she will do a wonderful job!

Pictures below!

NC Senators and Representatives

On May 1st I rushed around the General Assembly building meeting with NC Senators and Representatives to discuss the importance of Pre K and NCCAT.  It was a long day, but I was excited I stepped outside of my comfort zone, set up the meetings, and met with the Senators and Representatives.  Some of the meetings I had by myself while others I had with the NCCAT Director and a Board Member.  I hope our discusses helped.  I am very concerned with the direction NC is going.

Locust Elementary School

On the afternoon of April 30th, I traveled to Stanly County to visit Locust Elementary School.  As soon as I drove into the county I could tell how many businesses had moved out of the county in the last couple of years.  After I talked with the principal I realized how much it is affecting the school community.

Despite the movement of jobs, the school was wonderful! I met so many amazing and hard working teachers!  While I was in the 2nd grade classroom I watched chicks hatch from their eggs!  I was so excited I said a little too loud, "He's hatching!".  Before I knew it the entire 2nd grade was running up to look in the incubator.  It was so neat to be a part of the experience!

Chicks hatching!