Finalist Observation and Interview

Last Friday, I was teaching my 2nd period class and I saw Dr. Kahrs with some other people at the door. The four people introduced themselves and explained the teacher of the year process. They then told my class I was named one of the four finalists in the county. They also said they would be observing on Tuesday morning. First off, I was a little shocked so I don't remember much of what they said. I thought we would get an email about the four finalists but I was wrong. Secondly, I was embarrassed because we were promoting the walk-a-thon and I had on jeans and my walk-a-thon shirt. After they left, Dr. Kahrs came back and told me they were sending a sub for a few minutes so I could get a picture, in my jeans. Oh well. She wasn't too happy with the picture because her eyes were closed. An email went out later in the day from Dr. Kahrs about me being a finalist and then the county sent out an email about the four finalists. The rest of the day I got congratulatory emails that were extremely kind. I'm thankful I work with such sweet people.

I planned all weekend and got excited about my lesson. They are currently learning about how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers and have been rotating around different stations every few days. I got an email saying I would be the first to be observed Tuesday morning so I knew I needed to make an impression. I was observed during my 1st period, which is the same class that was observed for the school teacher of the year part. I planned for my students to continue their stations for the observation. They would play integer war, two games on the promethean, work on their integer book, complete word problems, use integer chips to solve problems, and use iPads to enhance their integer skills.

I prepped my students on Monday and explained all the stations. In addition, I had everything prepared so I could come in and be ready. Tuesday morning Dr. Kahrs came down to my room and asked me how I was and encouraged me to go up to the room where I was going to do the interview and make sure it was all set up. She stood and watched my class as I did this. Earlier on, I asked the administration if we could change from ELT a little early so we could be ready since they were scheduled to come at 8:10. They said that was fine so all was going well but my nerves were kicking in. I sent a student around to the different ELT classes to remind them and then we changed. I was becoming more anxious because the six observers got there a little late. I went to my desk at the start of class where I found a sweet card from Amber. This helped me relax a little. My students noticed my pacing and asked if I was nervous. I didn't know if I should go ahead and start or wait but I went ahead and started the lesson. The observers missed the warm up and directions for the centers but came in after the students were already engaged in the stations. It was good timing. One of them asked me if he could walk around. I laughed and told him to please walk around because it would make things a little easier! They stayed for a while but I just tried to ignore them. My students kept whispering and asking me if I was nervous. I saw they were about to leave and so I asked the students to sing the integer song.


Interview questions:
Introductions (occupations-arby's/board of education, chamber of commerce, reality, board of education, former teacher...)

Q: Do you have this much energy all day long?
A: Yes, I guess so. It's my personality! I go home and run but then I crash. (They probably didn't even know I am not an extroverted person).

Q: Why 6th grade?
A: I love the age. I enjoy helping them with the transition from elementary to middle. They go through lots of changes and I enjoy walking through this with them. [comment from one interviewer- But middle schoolers are crazy though.] Ha. Yes, they are but I enjoy every minute of them!

Q: You say you bring laughter into your classroom, how do you do this? (McNally)
A: I constantly laugh at myself and provide activities where the students can enjoy learning. My goal is for them to relax and laughter helps with letting them feel comfortable.


Q: Does your group or partner work encourage cheating?
A: No. If they are taking a test they can cover their answers, but I think they are more comfortable with the material since they can get help from a partner all the time so they know the material.


Q: Many people say our school system is subpar. Do you agree with them? (Jennings- chamber of commerce man)
A: Yes/No. I don't know! I mean, as compared to whom? We have a diverse population that is different from the counties around us so I do not think we can compare. I think our schools do a great job. [comment from another person- Awe- He's asking you a loaded question!]

Q: What types of activities do you do to encourage higher order thinking skills? (McNally-former gifted teacher)
A: I give them learning tasks that require them to think. I have given them problems for order of operations where the signs are missing and they have to fill in the + - x / and ( ) to make the equation true. Their projects require them to think too.

Q: What are the two biggest educational issues? (Stevens- lady who asked most of the questions)
A: Testing is an issue for both students and parents. My mom is a counselor and she has many students come to see her because they are stressed out because of the pressure of the standardized tests. Teachers battle with teaching to the test or teaching for the test and are under pressure because of the test as well. The PARRC will help preparing the students more and I'm excited about this new assessment. I think teacher retention is another issue. Many teachers leave the profession after five years and we need to do things like mentoring them to make sure they succeed.

Q: Do you think education has changed a lot over the past few years?
A: We have new standards so our curriculum is different. I like it that we are implementing common core because we have a lot of transient students and there will not be gaps in learning as they move from state to state.

Q: I noticed a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th section on your board. What is this?
A: Those are the homework assignments for each class. I pace my classes differently depending on the needs of the class so the assignments vary from class to class.

Q: Tell me a little bit about Kosovo. (Stevens)
A: We actually had one of our last meetings Sunday night to prepare for the trip. We take high schoolers, some of who would never leave the country or surrounding area, to get a perspective of other cultures. We do humanitarian work and an English camp. I am in charge of the English station at the camp where the students practice their English by speaking and writing. This year we are interviewing students to come back to the states to go to a college for a month. It's an amazing experience. This like this help me build a different relationship with students other than the one I have with the students in the math classroom.

Q: Does this process make you nervous? (Jennings)
A: Yes. It makes me very nervous but I manage!

I am thankful I got to be part of the top four. I told Jeremy that's what I wanted to get. If I don't win for the county, I'm okay with that. I think it's an honor to get top four and will be proud either way. It was a wonderful experience and challenged me as I prepared and carried this part of the process out.

I said my goodbyes and thanked them for allowing me to be one of the top four and started to leave and the guy that asked me the subpar question came over and told me he gets that question a lot. I told him I totally understood and that we are doing a great job with our students. The Arby's guy (Churchill) then pulled me to the side and told me his granddaughter gave him a little advice, "Poppy, you better get this one right!" I smiled. He said, "I'm gunning for you." I told him thank you and then went back to my class still trying to stop sweating because I was so nervous.

Monday (May 6) we had a band/chorus concert and Mr. Churchill was there to see his granddaughter. He said she called him and asked if he made the right decision but he had to disappoint her and let her know that he couldn't tell her what the verdict was. He kept a straight face through it all and told me to get her as my campaign manager if I ever needed one. I said I would because she talks me up so much and I don't even teach her! A few of the girls in chorus told me I'm their favorite. Awe. They are too sweet.

Tuesday at 9:00 AM we find out the county representative.

Update: I didn't win for the county and there are some people who are a little saddened by this fact. Around 8:30 I was asked to go to the conference room. I got a little nervous but it was for an unrelated thing. A little later on, Dr. K came to my room and told me the 8th grade was at the CCPA on a field trip and saw that the lady there won. I had a little inkling that she might win. It's definitely a different atmosphere than a "regular" school building. Throughout the morning, Beth, Amber, and Webb came by to see how I was. Jeremy was communicating with Amber and Beth all morning to figure out if I won or not since I don't have breaks during the day. It's okay though.

I was recognized at Honor's Night this week and received an engraved plaque and a serving tray. I am thankful for all the kind words from parents, administrators, colleagues/friends, and people around the county. They have definitely made this time very special.

Me and Dr. Kahrs

passing the torch- Land to me

My faithful editor- Webb

classic Laura face that Beth caught