8. A time to celebrate

8. A time to celebrate

This we believe (NMSA, 2010).

* Leaders demonstrate courage and collaboration. Courageous & Collaborative Leaders

Teacher of the Year (TOY) is an opportunity for teachers to recognize the good work of their colleagues. The TOY is voted on by the entire staff and the teacher represents the school throughout the following year at quarterly district meetings. This week we, the faculty, selected a member who is on our team. He teaches social studies next to me. His students engage in primary source documents and compare and contrast different accounts of events. They analyze and synthesize information. They create cartoons, and projects, and illustrations of content. He lectures, they take notes, they view films, and have discussions. Children are actively engaged in multi-media/multi-modal experiences throughout the week in his classroom. He is also a wrestling coach at the high school in the fall and coaches track at the middle school in the spring.

We have had many conversations about teaching and about students throughout the year. His desire is to give his students a big picture of what history is. He is a story- teller and engages his students in lectures and provides them with multiple views of events in history so students can see and question their own views of events. His students are engaged in collaborative projects and work on comprehension strategies to develop their vocabulary and knowledge. He is passionate about his subject and committed to these students. Students open up to him and he is able to encourage and inspire them.

On Friday, eighth grade teachers had a breakfast celebration in honor of him. We have common planning. It was the first time we had “played” together as an eighth grade team of teachers. He was humbled by the experience. It was a wonderful way to take a moment to value our colleague. All of the teachers have been together for at least eight years and their camaraderie was delightful to witness.

Advice

1)   When your colleagues are recognized or honored, find a way to use it as a way to celebrate!

2)   When you get to a school, find the Teacher of the Year. Ask them for advice and ask them to share with you what they value as a teacher.

3)   Find a way to advocate for those around you and find someone who will advocate for you.