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