Teachers I have a question for you...,

[Sparklelu]

Does your school/ district hold teacher of the year /GoldenApple type competitions? If so have you ever been nominated? Won?
The reason I ask is , my Charter school system does and I have been nominated again this year. It is my third year in the school and I have been nominated each of those years. Nominations are from students,faculty, administration or parents( not self!!! Lol ) I was a finalist the first year, second runner up as distinguished Educator last year and don't know what I should do this year. It's a huge application with standard teacher of the year questions then if you are a finalist observations both planned and surprise and an interview with the judges.
I kind of feel like the Susan Lucci of teacher awards. Is it cheesy to continue the process when I was "runner up" last year? Or should I acknowledge that they like me-
And go for it again?
What would you do?
Elisa

 

[Haven]

I've never heard of this award, so I've never worked in a school that gave them.

Is there a cash prize? If so, how much?
If it's a significant amount, then go for it.

Congrats to you for being such an awesome teacher that you get nominated every year!

 

[Enerchi]

Go for it! You have made an impression on a variety of people - they Like you, they REALLY LIKE you!! Enjoy the accolades - and go for it! It's not about what the prize or winning, it's about the fact others recognize what you do and that you do it WELL!!!

That's great news - no matter if you are the Susan Lucci or the Sally Field!

 

[zoebartlett]

Elisa, congratulations!

Our district doesn't give out any type of awards. At the federal level though, there are Schools of Excellence, but I just found out that schools have to nominate themselves. I never knew that. Anyway, regarding your question, go for it. It's nice to be recognized for your hard work. What grade do you teach?

 

[Sparklelu]

Ok you twisted my arm I will spend the weekend completing the 5 page application!
There is a lovely Waterford lighthouse ( we are beacons guiding those wandering wayfarers) and a cash prize. Last year it was 250.00 for my Distiguished Educator ( I promptly purchased my diamond and sapphire band.) This year the rumor is its $1000.00 for the top prize and $500.00 to the DE!! Can you say AVC anything???
Zoe- I teach 6th grade study skills( learning to learn) - computer technology - reading
I will keep you updated. The finalists will know in about 3 weeks , the winners not until May.

 

[Enerchi]

Yeah!! I'm glad you are going for it! And yes....AVC anything would be a perfect use of your winnings. It represents the sparkle and light you've inspired in your students

 

[Sparklelu]

Enerchi,
You are so sweet thank you for being so positive!
Elisa

 

[Enerchi]

oh -- -thanks!! That's nice of you to say!

 

[Sparklelu]

Just thought I would update you all....Well I did go through with the finalist process for the Lighthouse Award. I was named finalist and had 5 observations. Several unannounced and 2 planned. Plus an 1 1/2 long personal interview that touched on topics as wide ranging as my opinion of how to handle bullying in schools and what kind of service learning projects do I think we should undertake,to what kinds of subjects teachers could teach afterschool to earn more money!!! They even asked me why I thought many of the nominated did not continue with the process. They looked at my lesson plans and curriculum chart and interviewed the kids.
Well this mornuing at 9:30 the door to my classroom opened and the superintendent of the system, my principal and about 6 other folks including a news camera came traipsing into my room.
I won!!! I am the ___________ Charter Middle School Lighthouse award winner for 2012!
Here is a pic of the award , they let me hold it for pictures then took it back (I get the real one after it gets engraved at a ceremony on the 20th!)
There is also a small cash prize, I see bling in my future!!

 

[tyty333]

Congratulations!!! Thats wonderful Elisateach! I'm sure it is well deserved! And a small cash award...woo-hoo!!!

 

[Enerchi]

AWESOME NEWS!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Fantastic Elisateach! So glad you decided to put your name forward - woo hoo!
(... and BLING in your future??? my my my! Whatever could you do with more bling? )

 

[tigian]

Congratulations!!!!

 

[Haven]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

This is great news! I see a new diamond in your future - you know, a symbol of the light that shines all of your students.

Very impressive!

 

[lulu]

Congratulations!

 

[zoebartlett]

Congratulations, Elisa! That's great news!

 

[justginger]

Congratulations - it's so nice to see those who work hard rewarded! What an excellent honor.

 

[Enerchi]

Elisa - was your first stop once you got home, to the computer and check out online vendor sites???? That would have been mine!

Just wanted to say congrats again - that is such a nice honour for you! WEll done

 

[Sparklelu]

Elisa - was your first stop once you got home, to the computer and check out online vendor sites???? That would have been mine!

Just wanted to say congrats again - that is such a nice honour for you! WEll done

Haha Yes!!! You know I bought an opal from Preloved a month or two ago and I was looking for ideas for a pendant setting. I have a few small diamonds I could add to it too! I'm thinking rose gold. Or I could save the money and get going on my setting from BGD for my pear!
I've gone back a forth on it so many times. I can't decide and it WILL BE my forever setting. So I want to be sure.
Thanks for checking back!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Congratulations, Elisa!!! That is so exciting!!!

 

[Enerchi]

Elisa - was your first stop once you got home, to the computer and check out online vendor sites???? That would have been mine!

Just wanted to say congrats again - that is such a nice honour for you! WEll done

Haha Yes!!! You know I bought an opal from Preloved a month or two ago and I was looking for ideas for a pendant setting. I have a few small diamonds I could add to it too! I'm thinking rose gold. Or I could save the money and get going on my setting from BGD for my pear!
I've gone back a forth on it so many times. I can't decide and it WILL BE my forever setting. So I want to be sure.
Thanks for checking back!!!

Today is a new day... what are you thinking in terms of plans? BGD Pear or opal in rose gold????

Tough call - both sound equally awesome!

 

[Sparklelu]

It's been fun here the past week, newspaper interviews and pictures in the paper.
One really cool thing happened. I used a quote in one interview from Karl Fisch Creator of Shifthappens2.0 etc... (http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/)
“We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist,Using technologies that haven’t been invented,In order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.” to explain a focus of my curriculum.
To prepare students for 21st century success. Learn how to learn....
Well Wednesday evening I received an email from Karl Fisch congratulating me on my award and thanking me for all I do for kids! He must have a bot that searches for mentions of his names on the Internet! I was geeky impressed!
Also today when I got my hair done, my hairdresser gave me a gift certificate for a rainforest facial and a massage!!! How cool is that? She said teachers are under appreciated.
As far as bling I'm looking .... Rumor has it the gift this year is $500.00 so I'm thinking I want to get started on my pear reset. BGD is going to do something custom so the $500. Will only be the OK let's get this party started..... I really love the 3 stone JM looks but in talking to Brian he is steering me towards a version of Josette but scaled down. We had a long talk a few weeks ago about how pears are hard to work with, and proportion is everything.