Fast forward to the end of May. We were just about to wrap up the school year and we were in the middle of my favorite day of the year...our big OSCARS themed awards ceremony. Everyone was decked out in their movie star best, the room was filled with parents, grandparents, siblings, etc. and the hallways and classroom was completely decked out. It was standing room only. Halfway through the ceremony, in walked my principal again...this time followed by our superintendent and several other people from our central office. They halted the ceremony to announce I had been selected as district teacher of the year. I was completely shocked and so blown away...I just broke down in tears. It was such a memorable day to have so many people there for the surprise announcement and I was so honored to represent our district.
After that, it was a whirlwind time of preparing applications for district teacher of the year and writing my big back to school speech. In August, as the school year began the district comes together for a back to school assembly. During that assembly I gave my first big speech in front of about 2,000 people. It was both an exhilarating and completely terrifying day for me.
Later that week during a professional development session, we received an email stating I had been selected as a regional finalist.
In September, I was invited to the state capitol to be recognized as a regional finalist. The ceremony was live streamed so my coworkers and family were able to watch live as the announcement was made of who was in the top 4 state semi-finalists. I was thrilled to hear my name called.
I was welcomed back to school the next day with signs. posters, flowers, a lounge filled with my favorite treats, and so many well-wished I couldn't breathe!
Two weeks later, the Arkansas Department of Education came to my school to observe and conduct formal interviews. I was told they would announce the 2018 Teacher of the Year "before Christmas".
Then just a few weeks ago, on September 29th...in the middle of a reading assembly I got the surprise of a lifetime. After our superintendent finished up reading a book to the entire student body, Commissioner Key walked in to read another story. As he began to read aloud the story, members of the school board, department of education, community. press, and my family began to file in. Commissioner Key read a story about a teacher (me) and officially announced me as the 2018 Arkansas Teacher of the Year. I was I was completely overwhelmed.
These past few weeks have been filled with media visits, photo sessions, and working on my National Teacher of the Year application...which in itself is a unreal experience.
I am still completely overwhelmed at this point and looking forward to what lies ahead on this journey as ATOY!
