There's Always a Plan B

Danny Thomas once said, "Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself, it's what you do for others!" Teacher leadership is about service! Last week I went to New York City to support my friend Jed Dearybury as he represented South Carolina in the New York marathon! Jed is one of our teacher leaders on the CERRA Advisory Board.  He teaches second grade at Woodland Heights Elementary School in Spartanburg. He's inspired all of us through his journey to wellness and qualifying for the New York marathon is no simple feat! It was exciting to be a part of the adventure! 

Jed is also a huge advocate for Donors Choose, an organization that makes a difference in the lives of students and teachers across America by giving individuals opportunities to donate to projects for classrooms.  Jed's students have reaped many benefits from the organization over the years and in the process Jed has paid it forward by encouraging others across the state to submit projects. 

Before checking in for the marathon, Jed arranged for our group to visit the headquarters of Donors Choose. It was really cool to see where all the magic happens and tour the facilities. While touring the office, we had the opportunity to meet the founder of the nonprofit, Charles Best. He served as a high school history teacher in the Bronx. His innovative idea to make it easy for everyday citizens to help public schools has been revolutionary. Check out the impact it has made in South Carolina!

The educator behind Donors Choose: Charles Best

We enjoyed our visit to Donors Choose and the opportunity to meet the staff. After we checked in to the race venue along with thousands of other would be runners, we headed back to our hotel. While waiting on our rooms, we received word that the marathon was canceled. Little did we know, "Plan B" would make all the difference. The race was canceled, but not the giving spirit of the runner! Plan B turned out to be more extraordinary than anyone ever imagined. Jed organized his own marathon, Dash for Donors, this weekend in Spartanburg to raise funds for schools affected by Hurricane Sandy. It's not too late to contribute! 

Consider making a donation by visiting the Dash for Donors page! To date, nearly $6,000 dollars has been raised for students whose classrooms were affected by the hurricane. If you decide to make a donation, you can use the following gift codes for your contribution to be matched: "horacemann12" or "science."

The essence of teacher leadership is service. As we enter the Thanksgiving season, there are needs all around us and many reasons to be thankful. John Quincy Adams once said, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." I'm thankful for teachers leaders like Jed who inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more!

The Finish Line at Dash for Donors!

Common Core Provides Leadership

It's always a joy to meet and work with outstanding teacher leaders across the state who are making a difference! I had the pleasure of meeting Kristen Hearne, the 2011-12 Anderson 1 District Teacher of the Year, this past year through our work with state teacher forum! Kristen is making a mark on our profession and a lasting impact on the students and faculty at Wren Middle. Check out this Education Week article about the role of the school librarian in Common Core. 

Anderson Area District Teachers of the Year
Anderson 2:Terri Ivester, Anderson 1:Kristen Hearne, and Anderson 5: Curtis Smith

 Here is an excerpt from the article below:


With the common standards on her doorstep, Ms. Hearne has a lot to do. Her library at Wren Middle School in Piedmont, S.C., is a nerve center in her school's work to arm both teachers and students for a focus on new kinds of study. She's working to build not only students' skills in writing, reading, research, and analysis, but also teachers' skills in teaching them. She and other librarians say they view the common core, with its emphasis on explanation, complex text, and cross-disciplinary synthesis, as an unprecedented opportunity for them to really strut their stuff.

"When it comes to the common core, librarians can be a school's secret weapon," said Ms. Hearne, who blogs as "The Librarian in the Middle."Like most school librarians, Ms. Hearne has been trained both as a teacher and a librarian, a combination she thinks is perfectly suited to helping students and teachers as the Common Core State Standards presses them into inquiry-based modes of learning and teaching.


You can read Kristen's blog at  "The Librarian in the Middle"

It's great to see one of our outstanding teacher leaders featured in Education Week! Congratulations Kristen!

October Treats

Happy Halloween! I'm not sure where the month of October went, but it has been a whirlwind of activities! One of the best things about the fall is the opportunity to reconnect with teacher leaders across the state and have the opportunity to meet our newly named District Teachers of the Year. Amy McAllister, 2013 South Carolina Teacher of the Year, and I have hosted three District Teacher of the Year Regional Forums during the month of October. It's been a joy to meet and work with these outstanding educators! I've always said that the role of Teacher of the Year is not about a title, but an opportunity to serve! I'm so excited about all of the ways we will see our local forums lead and make a difference! We also held our first CERRA Advisory Board meeting and we're energized about the work our accomplished network will do this year!

 

Low Country District Teachers of the Year

Midlands District Teachers of the Year

October has also been a busy time for our mentoring initiatives. We held some district sponsored trainings as well as provided the Advanced Special Education Mentor Training. We are looking forward to launching a PACE advanced mentor training in November in collaboration with Newberry College ReTAIN Center of Excellence. We will host a Train the Trainer at the end of the month in Columbia. We also will announce two new training opportunities for certified mentors in the spring!

I had the chance to serve as the keynote speaker for Newberry College's Grow Symposium. This was a wonderful event for alumni within their first three years of teaching to attend breakout sessions and examine teaching practices. The theme was "Finding Your Emerald City!" We can all learn lesson from the Wizard of Oz! Teaching requires brains, courage, and a whole lot of heart!

October would not be complete without the Fall Renewal Conference in Myrtle Beach! This conference is for our Pre-Collegiate network led by Program Director, Marcella Wine-Snyder. It was wonderful to celebrate our educators who teach Pro-Team, Teacher Cadet, and serve as our College Partners. All aboard the USS Renewal! Educators need refueling and recharging! The conference met all of those needs! Awesome keynote speakers by Amy McAllister and Cindi Rigsbee, 2009 North Carolina Teacher of the Year and National Finalist, wonderful breakout sessions led by teacher leaders across the state, and fun land excursions for participants to experience during the evening. I served as the co-host for the Singing Bee and we had a blast! I will post some additional photos in upcoming blogs!

Have You Registered to Vote?

Have you registered to vote? If you live in South Carolina and your answer to this question is no, you have only five days left to register to vote in the upcoming election. Don't hesitate or delay... it's an important responsibility and right!

Visit the following link to learn more about voter registration in South Carolina!

    South Carolina Voter Registration

It's important to model for our students and others around us that we participate in the democratic process. We even get the day off to exercise this freedom, so if you're going to be out town, read more about how to submit your absentee vote. Make a difference, vote!

Serving in September

Wow, where did September go? It seems like it was yesterday that I blogged the night before school...and now we're finished with September! It's been a busy start to school for everyone and I've been on the road quite a bit! I've been to the mountains and the midlands and everywhere in between! I started out the month working with mentors in Oconee County! I always leave mentor training rejuvenated and excited about the work mentors are doing to help beginning teachers accelerate their development. The people of Seneca were very hospitable and I enjoyed co-training with Kim Jedlicka and Brenda Bowling! I even went to the Walhalla Steakhouse-- they do not serve steak, but good southern comfort food! I always like to sample the local flair and avoid the chain restaurants when possible.

We also hosted a regional mentor training this month! The training quickly filled, so we created a waiting list. I want to thank Dr. Bill Coon, principal, and the staff at Meadow Glen Middle School for opening their doors to host not one, but two trainings in the building! We trained over 60 mentors from near and far in Lexington. The middle school is brand new and it's an amazing facility, but the faculty, staff, and students make it an extraordinary place to be! Albert Robertson and Sabrina Williams, both faculty members at the school, led one of the trainings for us and I co-trained with Margo Gore from Aiken. I enjoyed working with Albert, Sabrina, and Margo! I left the training with a renewed hope and joy around our work! Several mentors commented on the evaluations that the training was the best professional learning experience they had received in all of their years of service as educators! Learning should be fun and contagious! We had a great three days together!

Another lesson learned in September is the power of the teacher voice! It's incredible when individuals come together to collectively speak about issues that will impact the future of education in South Carolina. I would urge individuals to read the proposed educator evaluation guidelines and contact members of the State Board of Education to express your viewpoints. It's important for teachers to be a part of the discussion and offer input into the process. The board meets again on October 10 in Columbia.

Mentors participate in a Coaching Conversation

September has also been a time of reflection and an opportunity to look forward to the future. We hosted an advanced training with our NetSCOPE grant partnership and trained an additional 35 certified mentors in the Coaching and Observation Mentor Strategies Academy. This brings our total to 180 mentors who have received this advanced training! We are going to launch the training statewide in November! Analyzing our data, we certified 1,332 mentors at 49 initial mentor trainings from July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012! This brings our total number of certified mentors in South Carolina to 9,012! We now have 252 certified mentor trainers serving in districts across the state! We're excited about the future and the opportunities we have to advance and expand the work!

Twas The Night Before School

Teaching is an act of hope for a better future! Our state motto in South Carolina is..."While I breathe, I Hope!" The word hope is one of the most powerful words in our language because it is something that gives us power to keep going in the toughest of times! It's power energizes us with excitement and anticipation as we look forward to the future. If we want our students to be successful, we must give them hope!

Thankful for all who've answered the call to teach! Wishing all of our students  and educators a wonderful year!

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

Check out the closing slideshow presentation from our 2012 South Carolina Induction Symposium! Hope you enjoy the sound of sunshine! Thankful to all of our partners for making this dream a reality! Teamwork truly makes the dream work! Ready for 2013! We also received a commemorative plate to mark the occasion at Hyman's Seafood in Charleston! Check out some of the additional photos below!

We did it!! Celebrating at the end of the day with Angie Floyd- Newberry College

Thanks to everyone who made this possible!

Symposium Plate at Hyman's Seafood

Prime Plate Location...next to Jimmy Buffett!

Beaufort Mentors Lead Riding the ADEPT Wave of Success

The Plate Artist! CAB member Sallie Ortmann

Riding the Waves

It's been over a month since I last posted, but I have been out there riding the waves!! Summer has been busy so far, but productive and fun! The month of June saw many district sponsored mentor trainings across South Carolina. I had the opportunity to work with some great mentors in Orangeburg 5. Mentors also participated in Cognitive Coaching trainings in the Pee Dee and Midlands. I also spent a relaxing week at the beach with my family, it's a tradition and something I look forward to every year! The rest of the time has been spent cultivating a dream! I've always wanted to provide a statewide opportunity for beginning teachers to gather ideas and resources, network with teacher leaders, and begin preparing for the new school year! Yesterday, the dream became a reality!

The South Carolina Induction Symposium is the culmination of a dream and vision shared by many to accelerate new teacher development in South Carolina. The event would not have been possible without the generous support of CERRA staff, Advisory Board and Board of Directors, The Citadel School of Education, Newberry College RETAIN Center of Excellence and the Induction Symposium Planning Committee. In addition to our event sponsors, we were also very fortunate to have the following sponsors who made our day successful: Bojangles, Books a Million, New South Shirts, Palmetto State Teachers Association, and the South Carolina Educational Association. We were also fortunate to have Kazoobie Kazoos, SC Council of the International Reading Association and Worth the Wait as vendors. 

The theme of the conference was PIPEline to Success. The PIPE is an acronym for the four domains of ADEPT. Outstanding presentations were led by teacher leaders from across the state on topics ranging from effective teaching strategies, classroom management, advocacy, technology, and wellness! Our opening session featured children's author and South Carolina native Kristy Dempsey! She is an educator in Brazil and the author of the recent published book, Surfer Chick! She made powerful connections to surfing and teaching. Our 2013 South Carolina Teacher of the Year, Amy McAllister, inspired us all with her passion for education. During our luncheon, we had an awesome panel featuring educators who are in their first few years of teaching. Alex Sobchak from Charleston, Jessica Chamberlain and Paige Rister from Newberry, and Ty Skinner from Spartanburg District 2 provided helpful tips and advice for our conference participants. Dr. Bill Coon, principal of Meadow Glen Middle School in Lexington 1, also served on the panel and provided helpful insights and tips from an administrator's perspective. 

It is our hope that we did not simply plan an event, but provided an experience that changed people's lives and gave them hope to begin a new school year with new strategies, renewed energy, and passion to make a difference in the lives of students in South Carolina!

Front Page News

My third graders.....now my high school graduates are on the front page of The Aiken Standard! Click on the link below to read the article! I'm so proud of my students and all they have accomplished!

Aiken Standard: Former SC Teacher of Year back for students' graduation

Make a Splash

The month of May in a teacher's life is a whirlwind of activity...a time to celebrate and a time to reflect! I came across a letter I wrote to my third graders at the back of the class memory book we created... May 29, 2003! Fast forward to 2012...and many of my third graders will graduate from high school this week! The words still ring true on May 29, 2012!

To my Third Grade Class,                                                                        May 29, 2003


It seems like only yesterday we started our journey together. It does not seem that long ago that I sat at my computer typing a letter welcoming you to my class and trying to set your mind at ease about being a third grader; now I am typing this farewell as I send you on to pursue your education. As you entered our classroom in August, I described the journey we would take together.


I told you that some days would be great; some would be easy, and some would be down right difficult, but I would be there to help you when you needed an extra push, and encourage you along the way. I am sure you found this to be true. Some days it seemed like we took giant leaps, while other days we made small footsteps toward our goal.  It was two steps forward, a few steps back, but we learned that our attitudes help us reach our goals. Well, students our third grade journey has ended and this is my chance to say a few words before you spread your wings and fly.


I have enjoyed teaching, guiding, and yes learning from you this year. I have been so fortunate to be able to work with each of you and your parents, for you have taught me as well. As I told you, each of you are unique and we learn new things from each other every day. Each one of you has brought joy to me in a different way. I have been proud to see the joy upon your face when you learned! It has been a joy to watch you grow and make wise choices. You must always remember that you are very special to me. I hope, as you reflect upon this year, you can see how much you have learned and grown as a person.


We shared many special moments together, from our songs to help us learn new information to our writer's notebook celebrations. We achieved the highest gains in CCC in Reading and Math. We'll never forget our pen pals from USCA. We also enjoyed three great field trips to USC Aiken, the Audubon Society, and the State Museum. We had a lot of fun and learned a lot about world, our state, and ourselves. I was very proud of you when you worked together as a team to raise money for leukemia patients at the Pennies for Patients drive, wrote letters to those in need, and helped our community. We have made a difference and you've made a difference in my life. Our class experienced many days I will cherish in my heart. I hope you will remember the fun and enjoyment we had day after day. Regardless of your grades and behavior this year, I will always expect great things from you and I want to hear from you about your successes. 


Please know that I care about your education, but most of all your lives. I expect many great things from each of you over the years to come! I believe each one of you can make a positive difference in the lives of others! Make footprints and right choices each day to reach your goals and dreams! Remember that you are a PROMISE! If you don't ever remember anything else I have said, remember that you are special and that I will be following your footsteps, cheering you along your journey, even as I continue to lead other students on a new, exciting, and challenging journey. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin a new adventure as State Teacher of the Year. I am excited about the opportunity and thank you for the chance to represent you and other teachers across South Carolina. Continue to grow, stretch, and dream as big as the ocean! Remember to take actions and steps to accomplish your dreams. Thank you for a wonderful year and have a safe and happy summer.


Your Third Grade Teacher,
Mr. Fulmer

                          You will always be Forever Young! Congratulations Class of 2012!

The Impact Teachers Make

Have you thanked a teacher today? Check out this video created by Creative MMD, LLC featuring dreamers and Spartanburg area District Teachers of the Year! Teachers are in the dream developing business and I'm proud of my life's work! Through a career in education, I have the chance to give feet to dreams! Teachers make a difference every day! Click on the link below:

Teacher Impact 

CERRA Advisory Board Elections

Congratulations to the teacher leaders elected to the CERRA Advisory Board (CAB)! I am excited about the opportunities we will have to welcome our newly elected members to the board. You can read more about the newly elected members here: CERRA Advisory Board Election Results  and click on the video to learn more about the work of CAB!

Celebrating South Carolina Teachers

On May 1, hundreds of business, government and education leaders honored outstanding teachers at the South Carolina Teacher of the Year Celebration! The evening is generously sponsored by wonderful sponsors across the state who value and affirm what teachers do on a daily basis!
It is truly like the Academy Awards for teachers. I wish every educator had the opportunity to be truly recognized in this way for the difference they make in the lives of students and the community around them. Educators are in the dream developing business and are the builders of our nation. We can all thank a teacher along the way who inspired us to reach farther than we ever imagined.

2012 SC District Teachers of the Year

One of the neat opportunities I have through my work is the chance to meet and work with some amazing teacher leaders across South Carolina! It is a joy to support teacher leader initiatives in the state and have the chance to work with the District Teachers of the Year.
The celebration always brings back so many wonderful memories of my time serving as South Carolina Teacher of the Year! The experience changed my life! Every moment throughout the journey brought new opportunities for me to grow, reach and become even more hopeful about the future. There are still worlds to change, lives to touch, powerful work to be done. I am so thankful for the passionate teachers of our state and the work they do each day to help ensure that our students have the opportunities to fulfill their dreams.

The Five Finalists for South Carolina Teacher of the Year

The five finalists for the award were Taunja Pool of Greenville, Philip Rabon from Lexington 2, Amy McAllister-Skinner from Florence 5, Patricia Swinton from Richland 1, and Helen Walker from Kershaw County School District. The evening culminated in the announcement of our 2013 South Carolina Teacher of the Year, Amy McAllister Skinner, an English teacher at Johnsonville High School! Congratulations Amy and to all of the honorees selected as District Teachers of the Year!

Celebrating with Amy
 

Patti meets the President

What a privilege it is to work with Patti Tate, our 2012 South Carolina Teacher of the Year! She has inspired each of us to explore all of the windows of opportunities we have to serve, to teach, and to celebrate the teaching profession! Patti is a shining example of a teacher leader! She leads with humility and grace and encourages all around her to give their very best! Recently, Patti attended the National Teacher of the Year events in Washington, D.C. She attended a White House ceremony honoring each of the state representatives! We were all very proud to see Patti recognized for the work she does to make a difference in the lives of students and in our profession! We are all very proud of you Patti and thank you for representing each of us! Thank you for carrying a message of hope and for reminding so many across this great state of all the reasons why we can celebrate public education in South Carolina! Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week!

Catching The Wave

“We are inventing the future,” [ Apple's Steve Jobs told a job applicant]. “Think about surfing on the front edge of a wave. It’s really exhilarating. Now think about dog-paddling at the tail end of that wave. It wouldn’t be anywhere near as much fun. Come down here and make a dent in the universe.”

Educators are in the dream developing business and we can certainly make a dent in the universe!!  We are ready to surf this summer and catch a few waves of our own in South Carolina! I am excited about partnering with others to turn a dream into a reality. The Induction Symposium began as an idea on paper... and it is quickly becoming a reality! On July 11, 2012, we will welcome 200 educators from across South Carolina to be a part of the Pipeline to Success! The Induction Symposium will provide opportunities for beginning teachers to gather ideas and resources, network with teacher leaders, and continue their leadership development!

It is our hope that we do not simply plan an event, but an experience that will change people's lives.

Please visit our symposium website at http://www.cerra.org/symposium to register or submit a conference proposal! Proposals are due by May 18!

 

Leadership Exchange

Leadership Exchange 2012

I had a wonderful opportunity to meet with inspiring student leaders from USC Aiken, Converse College and Suffolk University in Boston through a wonderful initiative provided on the campuses for student leaders to participate in a leadership exchange. The event was held on Saturday, March 31! It was rejuvenating to meet with passionate community leaders of tomorrow who want to make a difference!


The purpose of the exchange program is for the universities to spend a semester examining a social issue (this year it is K-12 public education) and then provide an opportunity for the students to visit each other’s campuses to examine the issue in their part of the country. The core purpose is to help student leaders understand how they can make a difference not only on their campuses, but in the communities in which they live.

USC Aiken students visited Boston and had the opportunity to meet with a variety of people involved with the Boston Public School System as well as visit two different high schools. In South Carolina, the students visited two local elementary schools, spoke with a variety of education leaders in the community, and conducted a community service project at Aiken Elementary.  I had a chance to be a part of the closing session with the student leaders for their South Carolina visit.  

It was an honor to be invited by Ahmed Samaha, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Life at USCA, to share about my experiences with South Carolina public schools. I was fortunate to be a part of the student leadership programs at USC Aiken through my undergraduate experiences, so I was thrilled to come back and be a part of the exchange. I had the opportunity to share my passion for education, explore triumphs and challenges we face as a state and nation, and share some positive news about South Carolina public education.

Did you know...

• Education Week’s annual Quality Counts report ranks South Carolina number 1 in the nation for Teacher Quality. The state has ranked 1st in the nation since 2008!

• Education Week’s annual Quality Counts report gives South Carolina an A in Standards, Assessments and Accountability, ranking the state 6th in the nation!

• South Carolina news headlines in 2011 revealed that last year’s graduating seniors earned $960 million in college scholarships. (SC Department of Education)

• South Carolina saw a decline in the high school dropout rate. This past year 800 fewer students dropped out of state high schools!

Collectively, we can continue to move education forward in South Carolina and make a difference in the lives of students and our communities by investing in public education! I want to thank Ahmed for inviting me to participate and for the opportunities he provides for each of us to grow and learn about leadership!

March Madness

March Madness is over (and I'm not referring to basketball)!

This past month has been a flurry of wonderful opportunities with mentoring and teacher leadership initiatives. During the month of March, we hosted a regional initial mentor training, conducted an Analysis of Student Work training, an advanced mentor trainer academy in collaboration with NetSCOPE, and provided Coaching and Observation training, another advanced academy, for Charleston County mentors. I am excited about the opportunities for growth as we continue to expand our scope with mentoring!

Analysis of Student Work Mentor Academy

Opportunities for growth and revitalization abound with our District Teacher Forums. Over the past month, I have traveled to Spartanburg 7, Cherokee, and Dorchester 4 school districts to support forum efforts. I am so proud of the teacher leaders of this state and the work they do daily to move students and our profession forward. 

The month of March also brought us reasons to celebrate. I want to congratulate the five finalists for South Carolina Teacher of the Year and the outstanding District Teachers of the Year!

You can read more about the five finalists on our web page:

http://cerra.org/newsAndMedia/articles/89.html

I want to also congratulate all of the candidates for Teaching Fellows! I had the chance to serve at the Savannah River Regional site at my Alma mater, Midland Valley High School. Excited about all the opportunities for service in April! 

Lander Teaching Fellows

Excited about Interviews!

Dr. Lee Vartanian, Genie McDill, and Lander Fellows

Mentors Rock!

The students and faculty at South Florence High School have rolled out the welcome mat and have embraced our work with open arms. I am grateful for the opportunity to conduct the Pee Dee Regional Initial Mentor Training on the campus. Schools are buzzing with life, laughter, and the wonderful sounds of learning. When I walked into the media center to set up yesterday afternoon, I was greeted with the beautiful banner created by students!

Today rocked! Not only did we have the chance to work with passionate teacher leaders, but we also had a rare opportunity to merge recruitment, retention, and advancement efforts with Mary Glover's high school Teacher Cadets. As part of their work today, the students had a chance to observe adult learners in action, witness the level of commitment our mentors have to providing quality support for beginning teachers, and participate in our Bright Ideas Activity. I agree wholeheartedly, "Mentors Rock!" Check out some of the images of our work together today!

Jasper County Mentor Training

2012 Jasper Certified Mentors 

It was a privilege and honor to serve this past week with thoughtful, committed educators in Jasper County School District. The district sponsored a South Carolina Initial Mentor Training to assist in building a strong cohort of certified mentors to serve beginning educators.

Working with the educators, I was inspired by individuals who forge partnerships with parents and families, go the extra mile to make a difference in their schools and communities, and are dedicated to lifelong learning. We had an awesome three days together learning and growing!

Over the course of the three days, we focused on our vision for quality teaching! We explored the multiple roles of the mentor, building a trusting relationship, and the use of formative assessment tools to provide support for our beginning teachers. I want to thank Franklin Foster from Orangeburg 5 and Dr. Holmes from Jasper for co-training with me!

Teachers Change Lives

Our dreams act as compasses, pointing to the direction we should travel as we set a course of action for our lives. A dream gives us hope for the future and a vision for the present. Sidney Hook once said, "Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques." I am thankful for teachers in my life who helped to mold and shape me into the teacher I am today. Yesterday, I had the chance to work with Faith Barber's Teacher Cadets at South Aiken High School. It always gives me hope when I have the opportunity to meet and work with students who are considering education as a profession. I want to thank Mrs. Barber for being a teacher who changes lives and for lighting the pathway for others who might consider this great profession as their life's work.

While at South Aiken, I had the chance to thank one of my former teachers, Mrs. Sheila Suggs-Green! Mrs Suggs was my ninth grade Algebra teacher! She taught much more than Algebra, she taught me to believe in myself, to persevere through difficult math problems and life challenges, and to never settle for anything than my best. She continues to change lives around her today through her work as an administrator. I'm thankful for her influence, support, and encouragement!

I also want to introduce you to Michelle Shearer, the National Teacher of the Year. I had the chance to have lunch with her last week at the South Carolina Teacher of the Year Workshop. We talked about our love for the education profession and the difference teachers make! It's folks like Mrs. Barber, Mrs. Suggs-Green, and Mrs. Shearer that make me proud to be a teacher! Check out Michelle's interview below with Todd Scholl, CERRA's coordinator for Communications and Technology!

Mentoring Matters

During the first few years of their careers, beginning teachers need support as they make the transition from being a student of teaching to being a teacher of students. Teachers need much more, however, than a life preserver thrown out to remedy the sink-or-swim approach. Learning the ropes- the policies and procedures of a school and district, working with curricula and testing requirements, fitting in with the culture of the school, getting to know the community - is a huge professional learning challenge. Added to this is, of course, the heart of a teacher's job: responsibility for teaching a group of students and inspiring them to learn and to want to continue learning. 

Quality teaching is the responsibility of the entire school community. Fostering a supportive environment that helps new teachers become good teachers - and good teachers become great teachers - is critical to providing a rewarding career path for educators and a quality learning environment for students. 

~National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, "Induction Into Learning Communities," 2005

Mentoring matters! Thankful for the opportunity to meet with an outstanding group of mentors today in Greenwood 50! Mentor coordinator, Martha Vincent, has been a strong proponent of the mentoring initiative in South Carolina and has remain committed to the work. I am appreciative of her efforts and the invitation to speak to the cohort of mentors serving in Greenwood 50.

My mantra continues to be that birth to five is the most critical time in the life of a child...and it's the most critical time in the life of an educator!! Professional norms are established during the first few years of teaching, and it is essential to provide quality support beyond the first year of teaching. I am thankful for committed mentors who have embraced the vision that our role is much more than throwing out the life preserver, but it is about learning and growing together! Our goal is to accelerate new teacher effectiveness, so that students succeed and we experience win-win results! Mentors wear many hats in their quest to support students and colleagues. One of the hats we wear is the role of learner. We learn so much from our new colleagues around us and must remain committed to growth ourselves.

I am energized by mentors who continue to seek out opportunities to grow and reflect upon our practice. We are excited about introducing several advanced academies for our certified mentors designed to deepen our mentoring skills and remain committed to growth as well!

Following the mentor forum meeting, I had the chance to have dinner with one of my mentors, Genie McDill!  Genie is a former colleague of mine at CERRA. She served as a Teacher in Residence for the Savannah River Region and is a passionate advocate for students and the teaching profession! There will always be folks out there in our world who try to tell us all the reasons why we can't, shouldn't, or won't...and that is why we cherish those rare individuals in our lives who remind us of all the reasons why we can, why we should..why we must! Thankful for great mentors out there like Genie!

I am excited about all the opportunities we have to make a difference in the lives of students and teachers through the work of mentoring. Through this work, we can influence and impact the entire next generation of teachers! If you have not been to an initial mentor training, I hope you will consider the powerful opportunity and learn more about the initiative at www.cerra.org

The words of mentors can speaker louder than anything I could ever say...to check out a glimpse of the initial training, click on the video below:

To Teach...To Celebrate...To Lead!

                                           

I cannot begin to express how humbled I am to have the opportunity to work and learn from amazing educators. I am blessed to be a part of an awesome staff at CERRA who are committed to making a difference in the lives of those around them. When we met as a staff, I shared with them that our goal was not to simply pull off a great workshop, but to create an experience that would change people's lives. 

On the opening night of the conference, the Aynor Blue Pan Jam Band helped us kick off the workshop with several celebratory numbers! Band director Connie Christy is an outstanding teacher leader! She works tirelessly with the students and we appreciate her and Aynor Elementary School principal Reggie Gasque for their continued support of our efforts! The students, parents, and school leaders demonstrate why we do the things we do-- and the spirit of collaboration is awesome!

The National Teacher of the Year, Michelle Shearer, did a phenomenal job of sharing her passion and inspiring each of us to give our all! One of my favorite quotes from Michelle..."Want for others' kids, what you want for your own!" I especially enjoyed the opportunity to talk shop with her over lunch! She was down to earth, inspirational, and humble. I am so glad she represents the voices of educators across our nation! You can listen to an interview with Michelle conducted by CERRA's own Todd Scholl below. 

Thursday provided many opportunities for us to explore leadership. Patti and I led a session on teacher leadership to kick off the morning. We challenged the district teachers to reflect on their role. The title of Teacher of the Year is not about a title, but an opportunity to serve. We must lead within our classrooms and beyond the four walls as well. Educators have a practice, just as other professionals. There is no such thing as "just" a teacher!

The breakout sessions provided opportunities for participants to develop further insight and encourage one another on the journey. My colleague Marcella Wine Snyder encouraged participants to be the one...the one who will be the change..the spark...the one who will inspire others to join them to make a difference! Check out the Power of One!

My colleague Todd Scholl, Coordinator of Communications and Technology, provided an excellent session on utilizing various tools and social media to get the positive word out there! Kathy Maness, director of Palmetto State Teachers Association, led a primer on advoacy, to equip teacher leaders with the latest information on policy and legislative matters. Our luncheon speaker was Otis Rawl, the President and CEO of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. We are fortunate in SC to have business leaders and community stakeholders who value and affirm what we do on a daily basis, and more importantly want to collaborate and help us move SC forward. 

We know the challenges we face, but we have much to celebrate about SC education! It was great to reflect and reconnect with former State Teachers of the Year. We all shared stories of hope, hilarious adventures during our year of service, and why we do the things we do! 

Our 2011 honor roll teachers facilitated regional work sessions for the teacher leaders to explore strengths, challenges and collaborate with one another to create vision statements. Powerful!!

Cindi Rigsbee, 2009 National Teacher of the Year Finalist and North Carolina Teacher of the Year, served as our opening speaker for Friday! She inspired us through laughter and tears as she shared her classroom experiences and her quest to find her first grade teacher Mrs. Warnecke. I encourage you to check out the book! Inspirational, motivational, definitely a keeper!

Dr. Mick Zais, State Superintendent of Education, spoke to our group of honorees and outlined his vision for South Carolina education. He provided an opportunity for participants to ask questions as well. 

The Aynor High School Blue Notes served as our closing special entertainment!! Under the direction of Amy Ward, they inspired and brought the house down with wonderful renditions of Carolina On My Mind, You Are so Beautiful, and Shining Star to name a few!! They were amazing!

Patti Tate, 2012 South Carolina Teacher of the Year, ended the workshop with words of wisdom, inspiration, and hope! She makes me proud to be a teacher in South Carolina and represents the voices of educators and students so well!

Windows of Opportunities

Going to Carolina!

Opening Windows

Ready to Welcome the District Teachers of the Year

A few photos from the 2012 South Carolina Teacher of the Year Teacher Forum Winter Workshop! More photos and reflections are on the way!

Integrating the Arts

South Carolina Teacher of the Year Patti Tate and I traveled to Sumter High School to speak to Susan Hilton's cadets! The Teacher Cadets were awesome! The Teacher Cadet program at Midland Valley High School sealed the deal for me to become a teacher! I always enjoy visiting with cadets because it gives me great hope about the future of our profession.

I believe the arts open up numerous opportunities for all students to succeed. I shared brain research, various songs I utilized to teach standards with my third graders, and challenged the students to create a song, jingle, or chant to use during their field experiences. The Sumter News and District Public Information office were on hand to capture a few of the creations. 

Click the link below to catch a glimpse:

VIDEO: SHS Teacher Cadets meet 2 Teachers of the Year - The Item: News: Sumter High School Teacher Cadets had a treat Thursday when not
one but two S.C. Teachers of the Year visited.

January Journeys

I know it's February, but so many amazing adventures happened during the month of January that I needed to catch you up! Reflecting back over the past month provided numerous opportunities to work with Teacher Cadets, induction teachers, and teacher leaders!

Back to school after the holidays began with an awesome visit to Allendale County School District. The district provided a staff development day for teachers. It was extra special because my mom, one of my greatest teachers, decided to ride along with me! She retired from an amazing career in nursing and is an inspiration to me! While speaking, I had the chance to thank her for being an incredible teacher in my life and to remind others that we are all teachers to someone! We can all thank a teacher for inspiring us to persevere! I want to thank educators like Lena Green, 2012 District Teacher of the Year, Christina Samraj, 2011 District Teacher of the Year, and Rhonda Farmer, a former Teacher in Residence at CERRA for their passion and commitment! They give students the gift of hope and inspire others around them!

Other highlights included work with Beaufort and Jasper County Teacher Cadets! I had an amazing day with the cadets at their inaugural Regional Teacher Cadet Day organized by Teacher Cadet instructor Cindy Sturgis! Hilton Head High School served as our host for the day! I had the opportunity to work with the cadets to challenge them to integrate the arts in their lessons out in the field. We had a toe tapping, finger snapping kind of day! Kudos to the cadets at Battery Creek, Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, Ridgeland, and Whale Branch Early College high schools for their awesome creations and desire to make a difference in the world! Marcella Wine Snyder, Program Director for Pre-Collegiate Programs, educated students on the trends and issues of education in SC and reminded us all of the power of one!

The Department of Juvenile Justice partnered with CERRA to provide a regional mentor training for teacher leaders in the area. I had the opportunity to facilitate the session with Anna Stoner from DJJ and Jean Graddick from Richland 1. I am thankful for educators like Anna and Jean who are dedicated to providing quality support for all teachers. We had a fantastic three days with participants and all learned much from each other.

Shronda Taylor, 2011 Hampton 2 District Teacher of the Year, invited me to conduct a staff development for her entire district on orchestrating student success. I am excited about all the possibilities for forum in the district! I also had the chance to facilitate an induction session in Pickens on ways to utilize the continuum of teacher development to chart a course of growth.

From the mountains to the sea...and everywhere in between...there are passionate educators dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people and those around them!