National Teacher of the Year Program conference

The first major conference as a 2010 state Teacher of the Year was the National Teacher of the Year Program Conference in Dallas, TX from Jan. 26-31st. It was an amazing experience to get to meet the other 55 Teachers of the Year from every state and territory in the United States. The National Teachers of the Year from 1996, 2006, 2008, and 2009 were also there as mentors and speakers to us. Being with such positive, passionate, dedicated, and innovative individuals makes me proud to be an educator. It was clear from this that education in the United States has powerful leaders and advocates and that it is heading in the right direction with this amazing group of leaders. I felt very lucky to be amongst such leadership.

With teachers from every state and territory, I clearly saw that the same challenges are facing educators around the country, regardless of whether your school is urban or rural, wealthy or poor, public or charter, or the population of your school. Not only similar challenges, but I also saw that what works well in one school works well in most schools. Successful teaching is successful teaching, whether you are in Guam, Florida, or Alaska.

From numerous speakers, policy makers, and experts, we learned about a number of specific topics:

-educational reforms
-educational legislation up for reauthorization
-working with the media and policy makers
-leadership
-effectively using technology in the classroom

The highlights of the conference, in terms of speakers, was Gary Marx (President, Center for Public Outreach), Scott Palmer (Managing Partner, Education Counsel LLC), and Gene Wilhoit (Executive Director, CCSSO).

Gary Marx focused on where the world is currently at in terms of demographics and technology, and why our education needs to prepare our students for this ever-changing world. As Gary said, "change is inevitable, progress is optional."

Scott Palmer discussed educational legislation at the federal level. The Obama administration is supporting and funding educational reform at record levels, and it is great to see that the federal support is there for schools and educators, but it has to go to the reforms that will have the most impact on student learning. Scott talked about the Recovery Act (aka. the stimulus), especially the Race to the Top funds that are available to states if they agree to implement specific educational reforms. Teacher assessment and evaluation are a major part of this. The Teacher Incentive Fund is also part of these reforms, which includes paying more for teachers in hard-to-fill subjects and merit pay. No Child Left Behind and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act are also both up for reauthorization over the next couple of months, so change is possible.

Gene Wilhoit discussed the three biggest changes around the world that are affecting education: demographics, globalization, and technology. Gene talked about the need for educators to shift the focus from the teacher to the student, that we need to teach thinkers and innovators, and that we need to be transformational leaders. Teachers need to be facilitators of learning. These are not new ideas, but it was refreshing to hear and discuss.

The closing address on the last night was a speech by current National Teacher of the Year, Tony Mullen. What a passionate and powerful leader and spokesperson for education in the United States! Tony makes me proud to be a teacher, and knowing that he is representing teachers around the country, I know that education will be reformed to improve our schools and better prepare our students for the future.

Cheers.