“Don’t ever say you are just a teacher.” -Jon Quam, National Teacher of the Year
Coordinator
After
spending much of December surprising the new regional teachers of the year
across North Carolina, I found myself getting more and more excited for my
upcoming trip to Scottsdale, Arizona to meet the other state teachers of the
year. Spending so much time in schools
among passionate educators in our state made me look forward to continuing
conversations with other teachers for an entire week. I thought I knew what to expect, but in
reality, I had no idea.
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| One of My Travel Companions on the Way to Arizona |
When I
stepped off the plane in Scottsdale to beautiful sunny skies and cacti lining
the streets, I had the first hint that this week would be very different from
the norm. As I entered the blue Super
Shuttle to take us to the hotel, I was thrilled to meet teachers from four
other states right away—Lea from Delaware, John from Connecticut, Kristi from
Nebraska, and Sean from Maryland, a National Finalist and eventual winner of
National Teacher of the Year. We greeted
each other like old friends and instantly fell into conversations about our
students, our schools, and education in our states.
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| A Whole New Ecosystem |
To the kind woman in our shuttle
who was not a teacher and was starting her vacation, I would like to personally
apologize for all the teacher talk. For
those who live with teachers, you know that when two or more teachers are
assembled, class is in session. I
appreciate her patience (and the daily patience of our loved ones!) and well
wishes in spite of what must have been a pretty boring ride for her.
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| Class Is in Session! |
The week got better and better, and
the bonds I made with other teachers became stronger and stronger. We shared our fears about the current
educational climates in our states, we talked about ways to empower educators,
we discussed strategies for improving teacher leadership, we examined
communication strategies to help us better serve as representative voices for
other teachers, we laughed, we cried, and we were inspired. We really spent the week as students—students
of the journey of growing as a teacher.
We listened to presentations and lectures, we attended “teacher
homerooms” where we reflected on the day’s conversations, we collaborated, we
presented our findings, and we wrote reflective statements. To echo the words of Sean McComb from
Maryland, we were in “teacher heaven.”
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| "Teacher Heaven" |
Indeed we were in teacher heaven. But at every moment along the way, I thought
about how all teachers deserve opportunities to experience “teacher heaven.” They deserve opportunities to collaborate
with their peers, not only in their schools and districts, but also throughout
North Carolina and the nation. Opportunities
for professional development that actually suits the interests and skills of
those involved. Opportunities to reflect
on what they have learned and to think about ways to apply it in their
classes. Opportunities to be told, like
Jon Quam told us time and again, “You are not just a teacher,” because
the title of teacher implies so much more than just an instructional leader.
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| Our Word Cloud on the Qualities of a Good Teacher |
Teachers are time managers
extraordinaire; they are compassionate hearts; they are intelligent,
inquisitive minds; they are difference makers; they are game changers; they are
providers of opportunities; they are encouragers; they are comforters; they are
role models; they are caregivers; they are tear dryers; they are high-five
givers; they are donation contributors; they are behavior managers; they are
community communicators; they are wearers of many hats; they are school
painters, gardeners, and repairers; they are classroom cleaners; they are
out-of-pocket supply providers; they are bridges across opportunity gaps; they
are food providers; they are smile givers; they are constructive feedback
masters; they are lesson planners; they are assignment graders; they are pencil
donors (Seriously, where do all those pencils go?); they are team leaders; they
are team members. And they are so much
more than what I just listed.
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| So Much to Do and See As a Teacher! |
Teachers give so much of themselves
to the students that enter their classrooms every year. If I had to pick one primary message that I
took away from the National Teacher of the Year Conference, that message is
that “just” doesn't do us justice. We
are teachers. And that is deserving of a
bold proclamation.
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| With the Other State Teachers of the Year |
You are a teacher. There is no “just” about it.
