Preparing for a new school year, and new ventures, I will be visiting the people who continue to share my journey.  How are you preparing for your new school year?

A few years ago, I started to hear the buzz-word relationships regarding success of students and teachers.  I was urged to form several relationships, so all stakeholders would see my sincerity with their success.  Attempting to be more reflective, I took some time to think about all the relationships I had formed over the twenty years of teaching.  I was never unaware of relationships.  It was one of those invisible byproducts of trust and hard work.  I can say that not every student or teacher wanted a close relationship with me, and I did not want to foster a relationship with every person I came to know.  I believe now that what people are talking about is support, which in turn can build a relationship.  I support my students in their academic and social endeavors.  I support my colleagues as we share strategies and continue to learn from one another.

Alpha Delta Kappa sisters…

A few years ago, at the invitation of a wonderful friend, I joined Alpha Delta Kappa, an international education sorority.  I immediately felt their support.  Some of my sisters were retired and others, like me, were still in the classroom.  Soon, I formed relationships and I know I can rely on them for advice and discussion.  Bypassing the social sororities as an undergraduate, I learned the supportive structures that purpose-driven sororities possess.

I have some experience with younger teachers as a mentor and lead teacher.  I find new teachers to be very encouraging and supportive, and yes…relationships soon formed.

Teachers believe in learning also…

I have been lucky to learn from new teachers and they have been a source of renewal for me.  We have  supportive relationships, in that, they are my technology instructors and I am their traditions instructor.

At work will colleagues to create the very best environment for our students…

I had the good fortune to be asked to facilitate a job-like peer presentation for three days during the 2018 Stafford County Public Schools Teaching and Learning Summit.  I had done so for the 2017 Summit and was asked to return for 2018.  Following the strategies of Dr. John Antonetti, we worked hard to increase our ability to add rigor to our academic lessons for students, and we also learned to support one another, which lead to an increase in relationships.  Of course, one of the topics we discussed during the three days of facilitation was the concept of change.  The Summit was all about change, and some of my peers were very discouraged regarding the constant change required by the teaching profession.  Before buy-in could happen, several discussions had to happen and I believe my peers needed to feel my support.

Teacher of the Year from A.G. Wright Middle School, Stafford, Virginia

In 2015, I was voted by my peers as Teacher of the Year from my school.  I was honored and quite humbled that my peers felt that degree of support from me and for me.  I continue to move forward and create new opportunities to support my peers and colleagues, with the hope of forming lasting relationships.