Common Denominator
Every morning I wake up and am amazed I am the 2018 Washington State Teacher of the Year. It still feels like a dream and I often question how it is I got to this place. How is it possible that a teacher who struggled to articulate her classroom impacts until roughly 15 years into…
Our Difference is Our Strength
When I was seven years old, my mother took me with her to a sign language class two nights a week. I remember immediately connecting with signing and practicing all the time – I loved those classes. Things changed once I entered grade school. I started playing the flute and the more I practiced, the…
My Why
A decade ago I was three years into my dream job. A middle school Language Arts teacher at my second school in so many years. I had dreamed of doing this since I was a young child and I was finally in it; up to my neck in papers to grade, lessons to plan, e-mails…
Five Insights from Running a School Newspaper
School newspapers can be daunting, frightening ideas for teachers and administrators. Adults fear irresponsible reporting that proves to be gossip about the school, a staff member, or student. Or there’s the fear that some piece of news in the school paper will catch the attention of the mainstream news media and vans of reporters and…
Time to Reflect
The National Board certification process is akin to glimpsing into a reflection pool. Looking in, you see the best parts of what is happening in your classroom, your teaching practices and the areas that still need some work. I tell fellow educators that because of this, National Board certification is truly the greatest professional development…
A Journey Along an Educator’s Career Continuum
I became a health and fitness teacher because, like any other teacher, I wanted to make a difference in the lives of my students. I wanted to give them the opportunity to learn strategies and skills early in life that would help them to make informed life decisions and remain physically, socially, emotionally and mentally…
A Teacher’s Community: It Takes a Village
I can remember the many emotions I felt when I became a newcomer ESL teacher. Excited because I was going to have different languages and countries represented in my classroom. Thrilled because I was going to truly have an ESL teaching experience – which in San Antonio is hard to find. Amazed because friendships were…
Walking the Journey Together: A Couple of NBCTs
As a dual educator family, we decided pursuing National Board Certification together was the best way for us to stay committed and support each other through the process. It turned out to be the best decision we could have made! Carol’s Perspective During the month of December, my teammates and I were privileged to participate…
Back to the Future: Reflections on NBPTS Renewal
As a child of the ‘80s, I hold a particular fondness for the classic film series Back to the Future. You know the one: Doc Brown and Marty McFly cruising through time in that sweet plutonium-powered DeLorean. They hop back and forth from the past to the future in an effort to repair the present.…
