Warrior Trail Comes Home

Tonight I had the pleasure of speaking to some teachers just finishing their first year of teaching. They had graduated from Salish Kootenai College last spring, and they were having a reunion dinner - which is a great idea by the way - to chat with their instructors and see how things were going.

Incidentally, the Warrior Trail took me home tonight, back to my reservation, and I even drove over the hill where the background picture was taken.

Designing a talk for those with a small amount of experience is tricky! I can't tell them all things about teaching which they wouldn't know, and I can't treat them like veteran teachers. I chose to make a talk around both things they already know and things they don't know.

Here's the top ten list I started with:

Top Ten Ways You Know You're Just Finishing Your First Year of Teaching:
10. You carefully planned a whole unit without realizing that testing/assemblies/sports would destroy said plans.
9. A student asked you a question you couldn’t answer.
8. A student asked you a question you couldn’t answer.
7. You watched veteran teachers handle problems…and you were insanely jealous.
6. You are pretty sure the principal asked you to do too much only because you were new.
5. You went home right after school once.
4. A parent or student said thank you and you got choked up.
3. A colleague told you they thought you were doing a good job and you got choked up.
2. You came away from at least one lesson, one day, knowing you nailed it.
1. You’re looking forward to next year already. You even have the new planner.

I found myself really wanting to talk about professionalism in teaching without lecturing the group. It was hard to walk that line. I gave some cautionary tales and talked about reasons to be professional: that doing so helps others see us respectfully, quashes some of the scapegoating, and sends a message that teachers are worthy. 

I also shared this inspiring 10-minute video of Arkansas Teacher of the Year Jonathan Crossley because I think it sends the message that even early-career teachers can make a positive, lasting impression on people. 

Finally, I repeated NTOY'99 Andy Baumgartner's comment that teaching success is measured by our willingness to suffer and sacrifice. This is true, but it's wrong. Teachers are warriors, and we shouldn't forget that or act any different from warriors.

A Perfect Day

Thursday, May 1, 2014 was one of the most exciting days of my life, and I'm thrilled to share it with you. The State Teachers of the Year left our hotel on the bus early in the day and landed at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is part of the White House complex. We went through the Secret Security process which involved looking us up in their computers. My ID was insufficient, apparently, and I had to recite some personal information. ...Montana...

We were at the EEOB for a meeting with Roberto Rodriguez, Special Assistant to the President for Education in the Domestic Policy Council and Cecilia Munoz, Assistant to the President and Director of the Domestic Policy Council. They served us lunch and asked for our input on a variety of topics, whatever we felt was important, really. 

Since there are 53 of us it was impossible to hear everyone's thoughts, so I found an opportunity to speak to Mr. Rodriguez after the forum about education in Indian Country. My message was really a reminder that it is crucial, when working with tribal communities, to build relationships first due to historically founded distrust of the federal government and the importance of partnerships in those communities. He was very receptive and shared that it is a priority of Secretary Duncan. Maybe when he visits my area in June some community members, educators, and I can meet with him?

 

After this forum, we were off to the White House. We were guided by staffers the whole way - every few feet there was someone saying, "right this way, please keep going, no more pictures!" Finally we were inside the state dining room. In this room hangs a portrait of Lincoln. You can walk from the dining room to the Red Room, Blue Room, and Green Room, and then into the East Room where the event would take place. Even though that day was gorgeous, the incredible rain of the previous two days made the Rose Garden too soggy to use. We did practice the line-up in the East Room once but had a long while to explore the four rooms plus the ladies' room where there were portraits of First Ladies. Apparently the men's room had books and swords. Hmm.

At one point our coordinator came running into the room to announce, "Hooray! He's in a good mood today!"

They didn't let me attach the feather to anything so I just held it there. The guy behind the podium is checking the microphones.

This is the view from the Blue Room toward the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial.

Here is the line to meet the President. He is in the room past the red room, on the left, looking away.

Eventually it was time to line up. We had already practiced this, by height, so I was fifth from the end. Each of us had a card with our names and states. The Marines in attendance ensured that our names were printed correctly and they could pronounce them. As I approached the President in the Blue Room, Marines directed me: step here. Step here. There will be two flashes. After the second flash, step in and shake his hand.

The second flash went off, and I stepped in. The President of the United States shook my hand. The man announced my name and state. Mr. Obama said, "And what do you teach?" I said, "I teach high school English, on the Flathead Indian Reservation." He said, "Wonderful!" and we turned for the picture. One flash, two flashes. "Keep up the good work," he said as I exited the Blue Room. "Thank you, sir."

I handed my card to the announcer, who double-checked the pronunciation of my name, and then spoke it into his microphone. I walked into the East Room, filled with press, family, and friends. Here is a link to the announcements and ceremony. 

After the ceremony, we had a few moments to meet with our family members. They were then escorted out. After collecting our things from the dining room we walked right through the front doors of the White House. Here are a couple of victory shots of that experience.

Jon Quam, director of the National Teacher of the Year program, says we are the most exuberant group he's had. I don't know if that's true, but we certainly are close to each other. We had tshirts made and did a flash mob in Dupont Circle ... what an amazing way to cap off this experience!

I'd like to end this part of The Warrior Trail by showing you the statue and message in a little park directly across from the hotel. Those who know me well know that I revere Mahatma Gandhi. Everyone's personal philosophy is their own business, but I believe that teachers have entered a profession that requires us to embody our beliefs. Finding this statue with its message last night was the perfect end to a perfect week and the ideal send-off to go back to my class and community, and to live my message.

Celebration of Education

Today was all about education and celebrating teachers. It began with a trip to the US Department of Education where we were introduced to the Teach to Lead initiative. There is a conversation nationwide around teachers taking on various kinds of leadership roles within their districts. This work requires districts to be flexible and creative, administrators to be willing to give up some power, and teachers to take risks. But teacher leadership can be very fulfilling for some teachers. I found the conversations fascinating since I am an instructional coach half-time, and much of the discussion related directly to my experience. 

In small groups we provided feedback to ED staff. Also, Bill Mendoza, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education, was in my group. We took a selfie and he mentioned that I should come to Pablo in June when the Secretary speaks at SKC commencement. This invitation figures into events later in the evening. 

In the evening the teachers and their guests dressed way past our normal level and headed into more driving rain to the US Institute of Peace for the gala. Just picture something from a movie...drinks handed out, a really excellent group of musicians playing, synchronized meal service. That was our life for a few hours. 

After Secretary Duncan spoke he was mobbed right behind my chair by people wanting to take photos. When I told him I was from Montana and said I thought he would be in my neighborhood shortly, he said yes! At the tribal college! I said, "That's just 30 minutes from my house and  Bill Mendoza indirectly invited me today." He said, "Of course, yes, we'll have to make sure you are there." Husband captured that conversation as well as the pose. 

Sean McComb was named National Teacher of the Year and gave a very touching talk. He will make a wonderful ambassador for educators nationwide this year, and I'm proud to know him personally. 

It was a day when teachers were heard and celebrated. 

Intrigue and Hideaways

When I got on the bus this morning I didn't know what intrigue awaited in the District. Let me take you on an adventure!

My colleagues were meeting with their senators, and I texted an unnamed friend to report that I had even unable to contact either of them. Within five minutes my phone was ringing to set up a meeting with our newly appointed Senator Walsh! An hour after that, the Missouri Teacher of the Year Jamie Manker and I were on our way to his office in the Hart building. It was pouring rain and I was without raincoat or umbrella, but I didn't care! 

A delightful education policy adviser named Katie took us to the basement and gave us passes that read "United States Senate Official Business Visitor." We rode a secret train from the Hart building to the Capitol (maybe it's not so secret, since lots of people were around, but I didn't know it existed...did you?) Then, between votes, the a Senator met us in his "hideaway," a meeting room in the Capitol. That's actually what they call it. 

The secret train.

We talked about the driving rain (and how Montanans don't use umbrellas) and about the Common Core. Senator Walsh is clearly a proponent of education and  not only mentioned his priorities at the federal level, but also echoed Gov. Bullock's initiatives in Montana, namely early childhood education. Our discussion was punctuated by the voting alerts ringing throughout the building indicating that a vote was on the floor. I shared my feather with a Senator Walsh and he held it for our photo together, and then put it in his notebook. 

After we parted ways outside the gallery, we were escorted into the Senate Gallery family area - not the tourist area - where we had the opportunity to watch a vote on the floor. We noted Senator Al Franken and Senator John McCain as well as Missouri's Claire McCaskill. When Senator Walsh walked onto the floor, he waved to us and we could see the feather hanging out of his book. 

Then Jamie and I headed to the Library of Congress through yet another underground tunnel. This, in my opinion, is the most beautiful building in Washington, DC. I used to do research in this building when I was in college! But you need a reader's card to go into the stunning reading room. So I decided to try my luck and approached a desk in the lower level. "Would we be able to see the reading room without a reader's card? We're the Montana and Missouri Teachers of the Year!" With no hesitation, the woman said "Of course. I'm the manager and I love teachers!" She told the guards we were VIPs and let us walk all around and take pictures. 

Think this is beyond a regular library? Right! It is amazingly beautiful. And...wrong! There was a teenaged reader asleep at his desk. Then she took us through a secret Hobbit door in the center of the reading room and down a tiny ancient staircase into the control room. This is where the book requests are received and fulfilled and it is full of defunct dumb waiters and conveyor systems. 

Jamie and I went different directions afterward and I walked through more driving rain, without coat or umbrella, five blocks to the National Museum of the American Indian. About halfway there, two women caught up with me very distressed about my wet self and the rain falling directly into my purse. They grabbed my arm and insisted on covering me nearly all the way to the museum, where they turned and one of them gave me her umbrella. 

The NMAI was a beautiful building with a interesting combination of historical and modern art and exhibits by and about tribes throughout the Americas. I was disappointed there was nothing about the Salish or Kootenai in the museum, but it was a lovely building nevertheless. And it wasn't raining in there. 

All the kindnesses we experienced offset the negative connotation of "Capitol intrigue," but I'll always remember this as the day I learned some secrets in Washington. 

Learning at the Smithsonian, Inspiration from Dr. Jill Biden, andReflection at the Jefferson Memorial

DC Recognition Week started with a wonderful homecoming with the state teachers of the year. Then...off to the Smithsonian Institute! Each of us selected an area to visit, and I got the best one of all: American Cool. It's an exhibit of 100 cool Americans ... I loved it! Unfortunately we couldn't take pictures in that exhibit but look for the feather in a couple of shots below. 

The Smithsonian is dedicated to providing resources for teachers across the country, so they are digitizing many of their resources. Teachers - check it out! Here's the site for American Cool. 

After the wonderful presentations at the Smithsonian, we headed for the Vice President's residence! To get in, there were Secret Service police, and road blocks, and drug dogs, and entrance lists. Then...on to the house. As we walked up, a military string quartet played some beautiful entrance music. A display of food awaited, and then of course there was the house! We were invited to look around and take pictuers. 

Finally, Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden invited us for a photo opportunity and gave each teacher a hug before the picture. She was warm then, but when she spoke to us she was even more generous and wonderful. Did you know she is a teacher? She was an English teacher (!) and she is still a teacher at Northern Virginia Community College. She said to us, "Teaching is a life worth living." I'm sure we all agree.

Taking the Warrior Trail to the Vice President's residence was an honor...but getting the picture was tricky. You can see my attempts below.

 

Finally, Jerry and I took a walk in the rain to the Jefferson Memorial. I love this monument. In college I even wrote a paper about it. We had the whole place to ourselves...and the security guard. Thomas Jefferson had well-considered ideas about democracy, government, and education. At one time he wrote, "Though the people may acquiesce, they cannot approve what they do not understand." Thomas Jefferson believed that government should be in the hands of the people, but they must be an educated people. He, too, was a proponent of education.

So day one was filled with reminders of the importance of what teachers do. It also reminded me of my home community because I thought about the many things I wanted to share with you!

The Warrior Trail continues tomorrow.

KPAX Interview - Like a Black Diamond Run: Scary, Fast and Exciting!

Who volunteers to get up at 4:30 am on a day off, shower and put on ten pounds of makeup, and then drive an hour round trip for a three-minute spot on a morning show? That would be me. And guess what? It was so much fun!

They let the kids come into the studio, so Abby took some pictures while I was at the podium with Justine Judge. We were both standing on boxes so the podium didn't hit us at a weird spot, and she was wearing flip flops.

Although those three minutes sped by, I was able to talk about almost everything I had hoped to bring up: three projects for my year as 2014 Montana Teacher of the Year. One is to promote a statewide insurance pool for teachers, another is "Bring Your Legislator to School Day" next fall, and the third is this blog! I even had a feather to show off. I also managed to make statements about the importance of teachers, and how much I appreciate my community.

At every turn I hope to advance the concept of teaching as a profession, one that deserves recognition and respect, and to remind teachers that we must be advocates for ourselves and our fellow educators.

Here's a link to the interview.

After the interview, the guys in the control booth let me hang the feather on one of their lights. Super cool to think everyone who passes through the studio walks right by a symbol of the Flathead Nation!

This may have been the fastest three minutes of my life. I really hope my time with the President next week moves a little more like the pace of life in Montana.

About the Feather

I was inspired to launch The Warrior Trail campaign to connect my community with the world by the 2014 Texas Teacher of the Year, Monica Wilson Washington, who's doing the same for her school in her Orange All Over campaign.

However, my district's mascot situation is a little more complicated. We are the Arlee Warriors and Scarlets, and our "mascots" are representative of actual people. If you've ever investigated the controversies over Native American mascots, you may appreciate how appropriating a person's likeness, especially one in a warbonnet - considered traditional regalia - would be disrespectful. I had to find a way that would be respectful and positive.

I thought I might use a feather to represent my district. However, even a feather could be seen as traditional, and I need to be careful there as well. Thus I sought permission from the Indian Education Committee, a teacher, parent and community group that helps oversee activities in our district. They, along with community members, granted me permission to use a feather likeness for my campaign.

After that, I employed a student in her free time to design a feather for me. This is what she created, and I added color, ribbon, and beads. These are now being shared all over.

As a non-Indian person living and working in a tribal community, I am compelled to demonstrate respect to the people that I serve. I so appreciate their willingness to support me on this journey!