Mrs. Schmidt Goes to Washington - Day Three

Our day began with watching the CBS news report unveiling Sean McComb as the 2014 National Teacher of the Year.  Sean is a high school English teacher in Maryland.  He represents the class of 2014 TOYS very well.  He is an articulate young man with a passion for teaching and pushing students to perform to the best of their ability.

We listened to a report from NNTOY on the research report:  From Good to Great - Exemplary Teachers Share Perspectives on Increasing Teacher Effectiveness Across the Career Continuum.  In it they identified at the following levels what was most beneficial in influencing the quality of teaching:

PRE SERVICE

• High quality clinical experience
• Content course work

NOVICE

• Mentoring
• Strong administrator
• Teaching assignment aligned to their training

VETERAN/EXPERT

• Collaborative school culture with opportunities for reflection 
• Professional development that is reflective, collaborative, and chosen

The speakers reminded us to say, "This is what I am" - not apologize for our profession.  How we talk about the profession is extremely important, and we must undergo a dialogue change because not anyone can do what we do!  We need to increase our voice for our profession.

After the report, we headed for the U.S. Department of Education to a discussion on developing teacher leadership.  We were divided into small groups and spent time in spirited discussion.  Research supports the importance of leadership pathways for teachers and the U.S. Department of Education is looking for ideas on how to assist school districts with redefining teacher roles.

We returned to the Fairfax for a panel discussion on Common Core.  It was excellent!  The panel members clearly addressed the importance of Core standards for all and a concern about the negativity found in the media.  Once again, teacher voice is so very important.  A promo is out highlighting the Teachers of the Year as they talk about THE CORE of what we do.  I am by a poster highlighting the Missouri TOY.

We got dressed up for the gala held at the Institute of Peace with Arne Duncan as a featured speaker.  Sean delivered an inspiring message about the importance a teacher plays in defining who students are and the influence on a student towards who they become.

Tomorrow we head to the White House to meet President Obama.  It is so rainy here it looks like it will be held inside instead of in the Rose Garden.  Either way, it will be a sunny day for a bunch of teachers from around the country!