Friday evening, February 10, 2012 the NEA Foundation Salute to Excellence in Education Gala was held at the National Building Museum. California Casualty Corporation is the new sponsor for the Awards of Teaching Excellence.  Dominique Dawes, Olympic gymnast, served as the MC, and student performers drummed, danced, sang, and played in a celebration of public education. More than 800 national education leaders and supporters gathered to honor the 35 of us who received The California Casualty Awards for Teaching Excellence. Many thanks to the South Dakota Education Association for nominating me for this special honor!

National Building Museum

Class of 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dominique Dawes

Brent and Susan

On Thursday and Friday, February 8-9, 2012 I attended further sessions of our professional development workshop. The Pearson Foundation, along with Education First, is sponsoring our trip to China this coming June. The various workshop presenters shared an overview of our trip and a perspective of China. Before we go we will be participating in an online class to become more familiar with the Chinese culture and educational system. We will also be creating a project that we can use in our classroom to share our experiences. What an awesome opportunity!

Pearson Foundation

Education First

On Tuesday afternoon, February 7, 2012 Brent and I flew to Washington, DC. Wednesday morning we did a little walking and sightseeing around the US Capitol, and then that afternoon I attended a workshop at the United States Institute of Peace. The Institute is an amazing building, and the NEA Foundation Award of Teaching Excellence Class of 2011 and Class of 2012 gathered here to participate in our first session together. That evening we all got to know one another a little better at a fun meal at Rosa Mexicano.

NEA Foundation

US Institute of Peace

On Wednesday, January 18, I traveled to Vermillion, SD to spend time at the University of South Dakota. I spoke as part of  two sessions, one at 11 a.m. and another at noon. Each included sophomores taking Foundations of American Education. We met in an amazing technology classroom at the Delzell School of Education. It has 9 tables that seat 10 -12 students each. Each table has a monitor, and there are also big screens on either end of the room. The instructor station is in the middle of the room, and they are able to send what is on the instructor station computer screen to each table, as well the big screens.  Thanks to the USD Education Department for a great day and for the new Coyote jacket!

University of South Dakota

Today I attended a luncheon hosted by Governor and Mrs. Daugaard and the Department of Education at the Governor’s Mansion in Pierre. The luncheon was a time to recognize the five regional teachers of the year, the 2012 South Dakota Teacher of the Year, the Teacher of the Year program sponsors, and the Teacher of the Year banquet sponsors.

Luncheon at the Governor's Mansion

Last night I attended a screening of the film American Teacher held at South Dakota State University and sponsored by the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership. This documentary chronicles the stories of four teachers who live and work in disparate urban and rural areas of the country. By following these teachers as they reach different milestones in their careers, the film tells the deeper story of the teaching profession in America today.

To watch trailers of the film that feature each of the four teachers, go to http://www.theteachersalaryproject.org/index.php. To learn more about the film, go to  www.americanteachermovie.org.

American Teacher

On Friday, November 4 I spent the day at Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. I was able to share a little about my career in education, plus some of the great things we do at Camelo,t at the Education Department’s  Diversity Conference. I enjoyed my time with the NSU students  and wish them much success in their education careers.

Northern State University

At Thursday evening’s banquet I had the opportunity to share a few thoughts about my year as the 2011 South Dakota Teacher of the Year. It is hard to describe this amazing experience in a few words, so I shared many photos of the varied experiences and events I have been a part of throughout the year. What I most want known about this year and my many years in education is how extremely grateful I am! I have been blessed to work with many amazing students, parents, and educators throughout my career. The administrators and teachers I have worked with have been dedicated, hard-working, creative , and commited educators, and they have all taught me so much by their positive examples. Thank you to you all!

Banquet Presentation

After the Systems Change Conference concluded on Friday, my friend Donna DeKraai and I  took Cheryl Conley on a little tour of the beautiful Black Hills area of South Dakota. As a first time visitor to our state, we thought Cheryl would enjoy seeing Spearfish Canyon, Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, Iron Mt. Road, and a few other sites. Buffalo, mountain sheep, and many deer greeted Cheryl as we saw these great sites. It was a fun afternoon together with good friends!

At Mt. Rushmore

Wow! What a great day! The keynote speaker this morning was Ernest Green, one of the Little Rock 9. Mr. Green was the first African American to earn his high school diploma from Central High School in Little Rock. Arkansas. Following his inspiring speech, I attended several breakout sessions. I also presented one myself on “Integrating Technology in the Intermediate Grades.”

Integrating Technology in the Intermediate Grades

This evening the Teacher of the Year Banquet was held. Cheryl Conley, the 2011 Florida Teacher of the Year and finalist for the 2011 National Teacher of the Year, was the keynote speaker at the banquet. Following her speech, the 2012 South Dakota Teacher of the Year was named. Congratulations to Patrick Moller, a middle school math teacher! He will have a wonderful year ahead!

Hope your presentations went well today, 4th graders! Good luck tomorrow!

Cheryl Conley

Cheryl Conley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 South Dakota Teacher of the Year / Pat Moller