August 26, 2012

The first day of school is here!  Sometimes I still feel like a kid myself.  Even though this will be my 23rd first day of school as an educator, I will have trouble sleeping due to the excited butterflies in my stomach.  At the beginning of the summer, I met many amazing teachers from across the state while attending an NCCAT seminar in western NC.  Two of these talented professionals created a welcome back video for their school district.  Although designed for Brunswick County, the video contains a powerful message for all teachers.  It is about 5 minutes long but well worth viewing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wz6cyj6x5U&feature=channel&list=UL

As we start this new school year, our nation remembers Neil Armstrong.  Probably one of our greatest American heroes, do you know what he did after he left NASA.....became a teacher!  Rather than becoming rich and powerful from his fame, he chose to share his knowledge with others, to encourage all young people to reach for the stars.  What a testament to all the heroes in the classroom every day!

News from the State Teacher Team:
The State School Board is considering adopting and requiring the use of Reading 3D/mclass in all K-3 classrooms statewide.  If you have experience with this program, what are your thoughts?  Is it easy to use?  Does it provide good information?  Will this be a good mandate?
Your feedback will be helpful!

August 20, 2012

Thank you to everyone for your support and encouragement in last year’s State Teacher of the Year competition!  It was truly the most challenging, yet rewarding experience of my career!  I am truly honored to represent Wilson and the surrounding counties, its teachers, students, and parents, as a voice at the state level for the next 2 years.

Many times over the last year, people have asked me, why do you teach in Wilson?  The answer is easy, community!  Wilson is not an impersonal institution but a caring system where people know and help each other.  I have also been impressed by the amazing talented teachers that I have met tucked away in different schools.  People whose creativity and knowledge are humbling.  The problem is that their lights are hiding within single classrooms or schools. We need to let our lights shine and share our creativity with collaboration around the district and region. 

I want to use this blog to keep you updated with events at the state level and give you a forum to post comments, concerns, and creative ideas to share.

 
Let Wilson shine for the whole state to see!