KTOY - Manhattan!

I’m going to apologize now for flooding you with my KTOY visits….actually, no, I’m not. I have gotten to see some wonderful schools, great educators, and hear from some powerfully motivating administrators. 

Today’s post is about the Manhattan KTOY visit. This was a visit that Casey and I planned (along with the help from some amazing folks over at the RobinsonEducation Center) We began planning back in December and *dun dun dun DUN* it was finally time for us to show off USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden. We began the day gathering everyone up at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. Casey and I got to drive these wonderful vehicles that were loads of fun! Casey’s was actually a little bigger than mine….Ha!

We then drove over the the Robinson Education Center started the day off with a yummy light breakfast including Varsity Donuts. I highly recommended the Maple Bacon which was absolutely a hit. 

As everyone ate we heard about the school district’s amazing schools, resources, and programs.  It’s always nice to learn what is going on in the district. Many times as educators we don’t get out of our own classroom, let alone our school.

We then traveled (walked across the street) to the high school. As we walked around we got to learn some history of the high school and take note of the changes that happened with the renovation. While there we got to see their student art department. These students are celebrated and there is art work all over the school. It was such a great experience to see a program that really celebrates and encourages those student artists.

We also got to stop by and see the 3D printer and school program that is currently running. These students are not only getting to use this amazing piece of equipment. They are learning the ins and outs of design. They have to be able to successfully run the program, which is not a walk in the park. I was confused just looking over their shoulders at it. Their mesaurements and design have to be precise and correct or else the program won’t allow them to print. This is a great teaching moment as students can then go back and re-examine their work to find the fault and correct it. How cool they are able to actually design, produce, and see the process from thought through creation.

After that we headed over to check out the K-State Basketball facilities. Shhhh! Don’t tell, but we also got to tour Bramelage Coliseum!!! It was soo cool to see from the perspective of the players, well a few feet lower but you get the point! We definitely take care of our atheletes.

Yes, we stormed the court! No teachers were harmed in the filming of this video!

After lunch we got to go to Anthony Middle School and check out Casey's amazing room. It was so relaxed, cozy and organized. She has definitely set her students up for success!

We then headed over to my school. While I would have loved to showcase the amazing things happening here our visit was a little thrown off due to our annual Teacher Challenge. I was able to walk the team around and they snapped pictures around the school.

We ended at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. They had a Kansas Exhibit. How cool it was to walk around and interact with the materials. This is such an amazing resource to have in town. Please be sure to stop by and check it out if you get the chance. They also have AMAZING education specialists that can connect their content to your classroom if you can't quite make it in. Check them out!

We had such a blast and I would absolutely consider that day a success!

KTOY: Wamego

The time has finally come for the district visits to begin!

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First let me back track to how this all came about. After being selected as the USD 383 Elementary Teacher of the year I was invited to the Region 1 banquet. There I found out I was a semi-finalist for that region. I then went to the state leadership conference. It was here that I was put on a team with some amazing educators from districts "near" mine. Being on this team allows me to visit their districts as well as show off mine. The following is that story ( I may have channeled Law & Order there ) :)

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Back in February as I was getting ready for the LATF15 I was also preparing on going to my first district visit. My two team members, Michael and Cathy, were being gracious hosts and taking us around their district. The visit started off by touring their amazing schools. It's always eye-opening to visit another school building, let alone another district. I was able to see how their school district organized its grades. I also took particular note to their school wide programs and how they worked from building to building often working similarly to each other. I think this is such a great way to bring a school together as one, not to mention, show how an entire district is on the same page.

I am also big on signs and keeping kids informed. I may have snapped way more pictures of signs than I'll ever be able to use. Here are just a few :)

We were able to stop by the high school. While there we checked out a program that allowed "typical" students to buddy or mentor with students with special needs. It always makes my heart smile to hear students talking about why they want to do programs like that and how they keep coming back. Some of these programs even spark interest in students to pursue careers where they are working with persons who have special needs. While there we heard about another mentoring program that matches students up with veterans and helps get veterans out to D.C. to see the memorial. While listening to them we got to feast on an amazing lunch. (I'm not much of a rare-meat kind of person but let me tell you I devoured this meal). It was all made by the students there....Maybe I should look into cooking lessons. These kids definitely shamed me.

We finished our visit by touring the Paramour Coffee shop where we got a behind the scenes look at creating a signature roast. We then toured the Columbian Theater. I have always heard of it but to be inside and see the history up close left me in awe. We finished by visiting the Oz Museum. If you ever get a chance to go I would highly recommend it. I know that I will be going back.

Overall I think Michael and Cathy did an amazing job showcasing their district. We got to see some well organized buildings with school-wide programs that were effective and engaging. We got to view some of the highlights of the city of Wamego. More importantly, we got to bond as a group. They definitely set the tone.

Casey and I had some high expectations to match......our visit was next!

Kansas Teacher of the Year: And the winner is.....

I posted earlier that I received the great honor of being nominated by my school for the Teacher of the Year. I was then selected, along with Dr. Casey Ewy, to represent my school district. The next step in the process was for us to submit our paperwork and compete to represent our region. Yesterday we went to the Region 1 Kansas Teacher of the Year Luncheon that was held in Salina, KS.

Luncheon Brochure

All of the nominees were recognized. There were 15 elementary teachers and 18 secondary teachers. As we walked up to receive our certificates they read a short bio which included key information from our packets and parts of our recommendation letters. The whole environment was one I can't quite explain. It was inspiring. Listening to the accomplisments and passions of these fellow educators really helped me to reflect on my own teaching and ponder my future aspirations.

My recognition as a nominee with the Deputy and Interim Commissioners

Once all of the educators were recognized they announced the 3 elementary semi-finalists then the Region 1 elementary finalist as well as the three secondary semi-finalists and the secondary finalists. I am proud to say that both myself and Casey were announced as semi-finalists for our respective areas! I can still remember the shock on my tables face as they announced my name! It was a great honor full of excitement, nerves, and awe.

Region 1 Elementary Semi-Finalist

As I went my back to my seat my heart was pounding. Then they announced the Region 1 finalist. <insert dramatic pause and everyone holding their breath> The name was not mine. While it would have been an honor to be selected I can happily say that this process has already made me a better teacher. The work that is yet to come for me as a semi-finalist will only improve my teaching methods, strategies, and activities that much more. In getting prepared for this event I wrote a speech in case I was selected. While I didn't get to give it there, I thought maybe I could give it here.

I'd first like to thank the Kansas Department of Education. Not only do you put on amazing programs that bring educators together but you've created a program that benefits every educator involved. No matter how far a nominee makes it in this process they'll come out with a better understanding of themselves, their philosophy, and their beliefs. I'd also like to thank Security Benefit for sponsoring this program as well as helping me personally with my retirement so that I'll be prepared when that happens in 26 short years.

Next, I'd like to thank my family, friends, and colleagues (many of whom I call my second family). All of you have helped to lift me up and guide me to today. When I was feeling run over and championed by my students you gave me encouragement so we both felt successful. When I cried no knowing how I was gonig to get my room ready in time you hugged me and let me in on a secret, "They'll only know you're not ready if you let them know. They won't know you have 5 more posters to hang and 2 more tubs to organize.". And when I am drowning in tech requests you simply smile and remind me I'll do fine as you slip out of my room.

And lastly, but certainly not the last on my mind, I'd like to thank God. He's gotten me through all of those nights praying for tomorrow to go better, field trips to run smoothly, and for students not to devastate the sub.

When I first heard I needed to prepare something to say today my initial response was, "Say what?". This quickly turned to rambling and mild panic. As I gave it more thought I realized I should just talk about what I know and that's my kids.

While I may not have given birth to any children yet I can say I've claimed about 140 of them at some point in my teaching career. This year there are 21 of them imparticular that I am able to give some extra lovin' to. What is it I ultimately want them to take away from my class? Of course, I want them to learn the content standards and all of the skills that accompany their mastery and application. I also want them to grow to be the best little people they can. This means learning how to navigate life.

Last night I sat on my couch discussing my day with my mom. I was telling her about one of my students and the phrase I've begun using with him as well as the rest of my class. I tell him, "Help yourself before you help someone else. Save yourself before you save someone else." For any of you that have ever flown this should sound very familiar. My mom looked at me stunned and said something along the lines of, "Ashley! It's a good thing he is helping. In real life if that happened we'd probably save the other person first." So I explained, that's okay in some situations. My goal is to get this student, as well as the others, to look at their situation. Obviously there are going to be times where helping someone else isn't detrimental yourself but there are times where it is okay to take care of your needs first and that's not a bad thing. I want my students to learn the difference. I want them to want to help others but I want them to know when their helping can hurt.

They've got so much to learn but they are resilient and can handle much more than we, as adults, give them credit for. My class this year is proof of that. We've only been in school 18 days and they've learned 6 reading centers, 9 math centers, procedures and routines for all of our core subjects AND each other's name which is a big deal in 1st grade. They've picked up that in order to do a brain break their minds have to earn it and they are working their hardest.

They amaze me every day with their with, kindness, and quirks. I hope they can say the same about me. We disagree and some times they don't like their consequences but we also shake out our wiggles, learn to be ninjas and how to stomp like a dino. I know they'll learn lots this year. Some of it will be academic and some of it will be relational. If they leave first grade feeling loved I'll know I succeeded. After all they might not always remember what we say but they'll always remember how we make them feel. Here's to making them feel intelligent, silly, accepted and loved. Definitely loved.

This process has been eye opening. I am thankful for the support I had at the luncheon. I know that this is a huge accomplishment. I've only been teaching 6 years and already I've had so much awakened inside of me. I can't wait to see what the rest of this year brings. I'm sure my kiddos will continue to make the rest of this year a surprising, fun-filled, rowdy learning experience!

My Mama!

Here's to classroom visits, growing my education, and educating others.

P.S. Sorry about the extremely long post. High-five to you for making it to the end!