As many of you are finishing your last week before the holidays I wanted to take a minute and wish everyone well. I have been blessed in so many ways this last year and I want to thank everyone who has sent an encouraging email, card, or letter. Being Florida's Teacher of the Year is an honor for which I am grateful. But honestly I have been more moved by the support and the encouragement of my fellow teachers and the wonderful students that I've taught for the last 29 years.
The awards are great, but hearing from my kids has been the greatest thrill I could ever ask for. I am truly blessed.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and special prayers to each of you as you celebrate this season in your own way. May we all be looked upon with favor in the next year.
Rick
University of Florida Distinguished Educator
Friday evening I attended a dinner on the campus of the University of Florida hosted by Dean Catherine Emihovich honoring this year's recipients of the College of Education's Distinguished Educator Award. I was selected by orange County to represent our district as one of five teachers from around the state being honored with this award.
Joining me in Gainesville were Susan Ames, Bradford County Public Schools 2007 Teacher of the Year; Gretta Sancho, distinguished Middle School educator from Manatee County Public Schools; and Dr. Mark Strauss, 2007 Broward County Public School Principal of the Year and state finalist. On Friday evening we dined with Dean Emihovich, selected staff and supporters of the College of Education and student ambassadors. It was a wonderful evening of great food and conversation culminating of a special recognition of our accomplishments by the College of Education.
Saturday morning we dined in the President's Box atop "The Swamp' and then walked over to the O'Connell Center where we prepared for the University of Florida Commencement. As Distinguished Educators we met Dr. Bernie Machin, President of the University of Florida; we were robed and became part of the graduation procession; and joined the President, faculty and other honored guests on the stage for the Fall Commencement. During the commencement we were each recognized and again honored for our contributions to education in Florida.
The final highlight seeing a young lady who lives across the street from us and a colleague's son cross the stage and to be able to be one of the first to congratulate each! This was a wonderful experience that I will long cherish.
I want to give special thanks to Dean Catherine Emihovich for this special recognition and the opportunity to represent the teachers of Orange County and a big thank you to Event and Alumni Affairs Coordinator, Jodi Mount for arranging for every detail of a perfect weekend.
Lake Butler Middle School
Leaving Lake Butler Elementary I traveled down the road a few blocks to Lake Butler Middle School. Both of these schools are award winning and I can see why. I met another dedicated staff and went to the media center where I addressed Chris Mecusker's class of very sharp middle school students. My conversation with the class was broadcast throughout the school as I spoke about teaching, my personal experiences and opportunities which exist in education and science for these wonderful students. I then visited a few classrooms (saw a great Algebra lesson and a fantastic science lab dealing with thermal expansion) and got a great sense of why this school performs so well. Thanks to Staffing Specialist, Chrystal Woodall for facilitating this and the administrators, teachers and students at Lake Butler Middle School for a great afternoon.
Union County Schools
Friday I left Orlando early for a trip up to Union County (about 20 minutes north of Gainesville) and visited two great schools. I first went to Lake Butler Elementary School and visited with the third and fourth grade teachers where I learned of a wonderful science grant they have received in partnership with P.K. Young Developmental School. Through inservice provided by the grant each grade level divides the responsibility for science instruction into physical, earth and life science teams who are trained indepth to provide the best instruction possible for the entire grade level of students. We spent the morning talking about integrating science into all aspects of the curriculum. A special thank you to Principal Lynn Bishop and her staff for making me feel so welcome. You can tell a lot about a school as you walk with a principal. We were constantly greeted by students interested in sharing their day and giving this wonderful administrator a hug. Neat stuff!
The Teacher of the Year Process
Monday and Tuesday I was part of the OCPS district selection committee to help select our next district Teacher of the Year. Different districts follow different paths. In Orange County each school selects a school TOY (usually nominated by and vote on, by the school staff); school winners then complete a rather lengthy written application; each of these applications is reviewed by a large group of administrators, parents, community leaders, and teachers (I was part of this process)- a scoring rubric is used with each application scored by at least three readers; The top ten applications are then sent to each of our area superintendents for a final reading where five finalists are picked; which leads to the final phase which I have just participated in. A committee consisting of the current OCPS Teacher of the Year, a current or retired OCPS administrator and three business/community leaders visits each of the finalists. We observed each finalist teach a lesson (about 20 minutes) and then we proceeded to interview each finalist for another 20 minutes. Yesterday afternoon we completed that process and spent considerable time reviewing applications, discussing the merits of each of our fine finalists and choosing our next OCPS District Teacher of the Year. The announcement will be made at a gala celebration at Walt Disney World's Contemporary Hotel on February 13th. Until then the winner is kept secret. Not even the Superintendent knows until the announcement is made.
I was proud of each of the finalists and excited to be part of the process. I can say that the decision was incredibly difficult and the committee was deeply moved by the expertise and dedication of each of the finalists. Orange County's finalists are (in the order they were interviewed): Tamara Daugherty, third grade teacher at Lakeville Elementary School; Emily Thorpe, 9th grade English teacher at Apopka High School 9th Grade Center; Jennifer Bohn, I.B. Coordinator and 9th/10th grade social sciences teacher at Evans High School; Stephanie Johnson Possell, 9-12th grade health teacher at Olympia High School; and Dr. Donna Walker-Knight, ESE resource/co-teacher for grades K-2 at Grand Avenue Primary Learning Center.
I will be taking the group out for dinner before the February event for a chance for them to get to know each other. This has become something of a tradition within our district over the last few years. I'm looking forward to listening and learning and sharing as I spend time with this wonderful group of educators.
The District winner continues the journey and will then begin applying to become next year's state TOY winner. Interestingly I will no longer be the current OCPS District Teacher of the Year after February, but will remain the Florida TOY until July when a new person is selected. It can all become quite confusing!
I was proud of each of the finalists and excited to be part of the process. I can say that the decision was incredibly difficult and the committee was deeply moved by the expertise and dedication of each of the finalists. Orange County's finalists are (in the order they were interviewed): Tamara Daugherty, third grade teacher at Lakeville Elementary School; Emily Thorpe, 9th grade English teacher at Apopka High School 9th Grade Center; Jennifer Bohn, I.B. Coordinator and 9th/10th grade social sciences teacher at Evans High School; Stephanie Johnson Possell, 9-12th grade health teacher at Olympia High School; and Dr. Donna Walker-Knight, ESE resource/co-teacher for grades K-2 at Grand Avenue Primary Learning Center.
I will be taking the group out for dinner before the February event for a chance for them to get to know each other. This has become something of a tradition within our district over the last few years. I'm looking forward to listening and learning and sharing as I spend time with this wonderful group of educators.
The District winner continues the journey and will then begin applying to become next year's state TOY winner. Interestingly I will no longer be the current OCPS District Teacher of the Year after February, but will remain the Florida TOY until July when a new person is selected. It can all become quite confusing!
Suncoast Area Teachers Training Honors Program
Leaving the Parade Thursday evening I travelled on to Tampa and spoke Friday morning at the USF College of Education Honors Teachers' Commencement. Rightly described as the "best of the best" in the College of Education I met an incredible group of graduating seniors. It was a honor to share a few stories, give a few words of encouragement and welcome this group of new educators into our teaching family.
I was extremely impressed with the level of professionalism displayed by The SCATT students. A special thanks to Interim Associate Director, Lori Hartwig Yusko and Director, Dr. Roger Brindley for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful experience.
I was extremely impressed with the level of professionalism displayed by The SCATT students. A special thanks to Interim Associate Director, Lori Hartwig Yusko and Director, Dr. Roger Brindley for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful experience.
Lakeland Christmas Parade
Thursday evening I became an honorary Macy's employee and joined the wonderful people from the Lakeland Macy's store in the annual Lakeland Christmas Parade. The people of Lakeland love this parade! There seemed to be as many people lining the street as I saw at the New York Thanksgiving Parade. My arms are sore from waving, but I had a blast! Thanks to my wonderful store manager Stacy Korona and my new friends at Macy's.
A Pinning Ceremony
Today I was at Southeastern University in Lakeland. I was invited by the Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Sam Bennett. Sam was the 2006 Florida Department of Education/Macy's Teacher of the Year and went on to become a National TOY finalist! Sam has since made the transition from fifth grade teacher to University Administrator! From all appearances he has found a wonderful new home on a large and beautiful college campus.
Each semester graduating members of the College of Education participate in a ceremony celebrating a successful senior internship, the end of their college years and the start of their teaching career. Each intern is honored, recognized and pinned by their supervising teacher and college advisor. It was obvious that this is a tradition that has special meaning for these graduates and their families.
For my part, I welcomed them to our profession; spoke about some of my own teaching experiences; and challenged them to help maintain the excellence within our professional family. It was great to see so many excited new teachers.
UCF - Conference USA Champions!
Today I attended the UCF vs Tulsa Conference USA Championship game as a guest of the UCF College of Education. It was my first chance to attend a game in the new Brighthouse Stadium and it is wonderful. My family had season tickets for years and it was great to be back with Knight fans!
For the record UCF beat Tulsa 44 to 25 and is the new Conference USA Champion. We now go on to play in the Liberty Bowl on December 29th. Go Knights! And a big thank you to College of Education Dean Sandra Robinson and Rich Sloane, Director of Community and College Relations. Great seats and great company!
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