That moment.

These folks in this photo were strangers less than a year ago...and over this past year have become family. As incredible and exciting as this past weekend at the College Football Championship was...it was also incredibly bittersweet as our year of traveling together came to an end. This journey together is one that only those who have experienced it can truly understand.

One year ago in California, we stood in a room together for the first time...in a circle...as we each stated our names and proclaimed "I am the 2018 (insert state) Teacher of the Year." That first night our voices shook with uncertainty. Each one of us questioning our place in that circle. Each one nervous and unsure. I remember feeling overwhelmed by the talented teachers who stood around me and rolling my eyes as we were told our lives would be changed forever over course of the next year.

 However, it didn't take a year for my life to change. It only took 4 days. By the end of that first event, I knew the people in that circle would be an important part of my life.

Over this past year we came together every few months...in DC to learn about educational policy and for White House honors, in Alabama for Space Camp, in New Jersey to learn how to maneuver the next steps of our journey, in New York to see three of us stand on the stage at TED Ed,  and back to California to be honored at this football game. Each event brought us closer together and strengthened this bond we created.

This past Monday as we stood on the field at the College Football National Championship game, I looked back and saw us...standing in a line...dressed in our regal black attire...each person standing more confidently in their title than they did the year before. At that moment I realized the impact of this journey ending...knowing that this moment was the last time we would all be standing together...and that moment completely and utterly overwhelmed me. At that moment I felt completely humbled to be a part of this incredible group...I felt sadness as I knew we would disperse soon...I felt incredibly proud of the work we all accomplished...and excited for our work to continue.

That moment...standing on that field...I stood among the most outstanding educators in the nation...my friends...my state teacher family. And I will miss them.

Hillcrest School District

I had the privilege of visiting Hillcrest School District yesterday for their annual food drive kickoff. I was invited by a high school friend who runs the weekend food backpack program along with her husband. As parents at the school, they organize the weekly food bags that help keep 65 students fed throughout the district.

The food drive kickoff yesterday was an awesome event for all students K-12 and the highlight of the day was a full concert by ACMA artist of the year Cory Jackson. He treated the students to a variety of songs, signed autographs, and stayed to take pictures with each kiddo that wanted one.

Afterwards I got to tour the K-6 building...I got to see a 4th grade classroom that has two teachers that co-teach together. One teaches ELA and one math...the greatest benefit is that one is a first year teacher who gets support all day from a more seasoned teacher.

I met a mother and her two daughters who all teach in the district. One who teaches an art and agri crossover class.

I had the opportunity to read aloud to two precious kindergarten classes.

During my time there I witnessed the principal participating alongside a kindergarten class in P.E, I saw student council students who were responsible for introducing the guest speakers and for giving me the tour, I saw parents and teachers who work together to ensure each child has enough to eat.

I got to tour the food pantry where I learned that each child takes home a cake mix and icing on their birthday and the kids who are graduating get a spaghetti dinner sent home.

What stuck out the most about this district is that although it is small in size...it has a huge heart. The culture of the school is felt everywhere. I observed students supporting and celebrating each other, teachers who spoke about each other with an incredible amount of respect and admiration, a principal and curriculum coordinator that were fully involved in each aspect of the school, parents willing to give of their time to help students...it felt like one giant family working toward a common goal. I left feeling inspired and fulfilled and utterly impressed.

Star City

Whatever it takes.

I heard this phrase no less than twenty times last week during my visit to Star City School District.

To begin with...Superintendent Laffoon had organized my visit to coordinate with both a state senator and representative. He planned an immaculate schedule of classroom visits to highlight his school and share his students' stories.

We got to see each campus and visit with several teachers and students and the motto of WHATEVER IT TAKES was evident in every corner of the district.

Whatever it takes...providing wrap-around services by establishing two (yes TWO) health clinics on site. Students have access to medical, dental, and mental health services at school.

Whatever it takes...hiring additional staff to provide teacher aides for special needs students. We met a young man who would not have been able to manage being mainstreamed in the traditional classroom without his personal aide. At first he was quite distressed by the invasion of us on-lookers but by the time we left he was showing off what he built in engineering class.

Whatever it takes...providing a space for students to get away from the classroom while remaining engaged. An entire building is dedicated to providing a space for ALE students, students taking college level courses, home school students, and students who just need a break from the traditional classroom to work together. The beauty is labels do not enter that building.

Whatever it takes...providing extra aides and resources in the high school self-contained classroom so that students can truly learn life skills as well as develop work skills. The students in this classroom not only provide a deep cleaning for hire service where teachers can sign up for their services via Google docs but also their own mini lunch shop. The students run a sandwich shop from their classroom...taking orders, making sandwiches and soups by hand daily, and delivering meals to teachers. The smell of bacon filled the room during our visit as they prepared the sandwiches for the day. Two students even act as managers and oversee production.

Whatever it takes...takes on a new meaning when you see first hand how this district uses this motto to provide opportunities and access to high quality education to EVERY. SINGLE. STUDENT. And

There's no place like Fox Meadow

As I wrote previously, my first job was at Tyronza Elementary and I left after working there only two years. It was a gut-wrenching decision to leave that school that had become my home. However, I was taking my dream job at the school I always wanted to teach at...Fox Meadow Elementary. I had completed part of my student teaching at the school and literally lived within walking distance of the school as well. I had interviewed there right after graduation, however I did not get the job so when another opening was posted I jumped at the change again. I loved every aspect of the school...the diverse student population, the welcoming and cheerful administration, the incredible teachers. I began teaching there in 2006 and taught first grade for 5 years. I would have never left that job if my husband's job did not relocate us to central Arkansas in 2011. So when I was invited back...for the first time in years I was beyond excited.

I was greeted by the sweetest group of first and second grade kiddos playing ukuleles and singing and then the violin students performing. It was awesome to see such young students having exposure to this level of instrumental instruction.

Over the next few hours I got to see how the school has changed to accommodate the needs of students. One of the most innovative methods was the implementation of "WIN" time. "WIN" stands for "whatever I need". This is a program they have implemented to provide students with non-academic exposure to arts, music, sciences, and health and wellness. Once a quarter, the students that are performing on or above grade level get to select activities they are interested in and are pulled out of the classroom for enrichment with the activity teachers. The remaining children then get intensive intervention and extra support. The smaller class size allows the classroom teacher and instructional aide time to really provide student focused lessons to help them make growth. The enrichment activities have included hockey, research projects in the library, painting ceiling tiles, learning to play musical instruments, rock painting, etc. This program not only promotes student choice but provides whole child learning.

During my time at Fox Meadow I got to see and hug so many of my sweet friends I worked with and reminisce of funny stories. I loved the renovation of the library, implementation of a STEAM lab and STEAM after-school club, the intervention room with data wall, and the lovely paintings that adorn the walls. One of my favorite additions to the building is the new "Peace Lounge" that provides teachers a place to go and relax during the day. The room is darkened and has a large waterfall and aromatherapy. I love that teachers can sit on a comfy couch and just re-set if needed...what an incredible way to support and honor the adults in the building.

They also provided a conference room full of snacks for teachers to come in and chat with me. I loved this time to connect with teachers and catch up with old friends. Before I left I was gifted with the most awesome bag full of goodies. The bag says "There's no place like Fox Meadow". And I couldn't agree more.

Beebe Middle School

I had the privilege of visiting Beebe Middle School this week and there were several things that stuck out at me.

First... I loved how Beebe School District honored the history of McRae School District since their consolidation. There is an entire museum dedicated to McRae and there is a gorgeous walking track that has facts about the history of McRae along side.

While taking a tour of the building, I got to see the EAST lab, the engineering classroom, the special education room with attached therapy room, a dyslexia intervention room, and so many awesome classrooms.

I was invited to attend two PLC meetings where I got a first-hand glimpse into how their teams collaborate to plan, support each other, and problem solve.

Halfway through the second meeting the power went out but the collaboration went on and I was invited into three classrooms to observe. I am so thankful for those teachers who didn't mind me stepping in to observe with the added stress of having absolutely no power and teaching in the dark!

Thank you to the administration, faculty, and staff for welcoming me into their school!