Member News -- January 10, 2017
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In A Class of their Own
CCSSO Announces the 2017 Class of Finalists for National Teacher of the Year

Four teachers with styles and passions as diverse as their students have been selected as  finalists for the 2017 National Teacher of the Year Award.

Athanasia Kyriakokos  (Maryland 2017) is a world-renowned artist who brings her creativity to the classroom as a teacher and mentor for the Baltimore Teachers Union.  Megan Gross  (California 2017) is  a special education teacher who facilitates social inclusion and extracurricular activities at her San Diego school's Best Buddies Club, and she has co-authored two books about inclusion and education for special education students. Also nominated is Chris Gleason (Wisconsin 2017), an instrumental music teacher and band director in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, whose bands have performed statewide and who was a national semifinalist for the 2017 Grammy Music Educator Award. The final four is rounded out by Sydney Chaffee (Massachusetts 2017), a teacher whose student partnership with Boston's Huntington Theatre Company explores the themes of "justice and injustice" through collaborative projects.  
Welcome to the family!
Thank you, thank you!
Contributions for Annual Giving Campaign Exceed Goal
We are grateful for the STOYs and Finalists (and staff!) who have made a donation to support their professional family, NNSTOY. 

This year we eliminated all dues and raised nearly $10,000 from contributions. Check out those who gave any amount, listed as Friends of NNSTOY  on our webpage. (If you should be listed on the page, but are not, please let Laurie Calvert know at laurie@nnstoy.org.)

In addition, ten members wrote blog articles affirming the value of our work, and 17 sent in testimonials to the power of NNSTOY. In December  Leah Luke (Wisconsin 2009) wrote about how NNSTOY has helped her to be a more effective policy advocate,  " Equipping Teacher Leaders for the Ed Policy Game."  Our latest article, " Reflecting on Our Work. Renewing our Commitment ," was penned by
David Bosso (Connecticut 2012), who tells the story of how our members have shaped his practice and his leadership.

If you have not yet made a contribution, please consider donating  whatever amount you can afford . 
Opportunity to Use Your Educator Voice for Equity
Christian Science Monitor EqualEdPoll

The Christian Science Monitor (CSM) is looking for educators to participate in an advisory committee on education equity that they are calling the EqualEdPoll. This your opportunity to share your thoughts with a national audience and help shape public opinion. 
 
Participants will take a brief (less than 10 minutes) survey once a month. The survey will include one multiple choice question and a place to leave thoughts, either anonymously or quotable. 

Results will be used to help CSM readers be informed about what thought leaders are saying around the major issues in education. If you participate, your name may be featured on a webpage with a short bio. 

If you are interested, please send an email to Katherine Bassett using the subject line that reads "CMS Advisory" to katherine@nnstoy.org no later than Friday, January 13. 
Washington Policy Update
Jane West
Senate HELP Committee hearing on Secretary of Education nominee Betsy DeVos is set for January 11~10 AM ET.  Democrats and many in the education community are working overtime digging into her background and raising concerns while Republicans appear united in their support. For specific details, read West's complete update on our webpage.
Follow Jane West's live commentary on Twitter @janewestdc.

Teacher Recruitment Strategies Needed. The Center for American progress released a report examining the teacher recruitment strategies of school districts, determining that most strategies are "hyperlocal, untargeted, or nonexistent." The Center surveyed 108 districts and found that many are lacking in offering mentoring new teachers and recruiting diverse candidates. The report notes that an average district has "1.8 employees assigned to recruitment and a student population of 3,721." 

Read Jane West's complete Washington Update, posted on our website weekly when Congress is in session. This week she covers the expanding Trump education team, the Obama education legacy, and the organization of the 115th Congress. 
Deadine Looms to Speak at July Conference
Proposals due Monday, January 16

 
State of the States
Montana NNSSTOY Update
The Montana NNSTOY chapter that launched this fall has not taken long to exercise their teacher leadership skills. State Teachers of the Year and Finalists have developed a white paper outlining their mission and goals and a concise set of bylaws. Next up: nominating members to be offficers. Check out the updated webpage. 
STOYS Earn Their Hoods
Thank you, Walden University!
Three State Teachers of the Year earned doctoral degrees from Walden University this month. Their work was funded by full-tuition scholarships from Walden. Thank you to Walden and congratulations to the new doctors!

New Ways to Engage
Plug into teacher leadership outside of your school.

Opening at NNSTOY.    NNSTOY is currently searching for the right person to fill a new position as our  Director of Partnerships. Learn more  on our website .

Join the U.S. Department of Education as a School Ambassador Fellow. 
The Department's 2017-2018 School Ambassador Fellowship application is now open, and the  deadline has been extended until February 6 at 11:59 PM ET.
 
Nominate a teacher for the Yale-Lynn Hall Teacher Action Research Prize. 
This annual award supports the leadership of teachers who continually work to improve their practice through action research. The School of Management (SOM) Education Leadership Conference is seeking applications from educators who are trying new lessons, modes of content delivery, or types of activities to improve student outcomes.  The application deadline is March 3, 2017.   Learn more.

Apply for a Carnegie Networked Improvement Fellowship.  The 2-year, salaried Fellowship is open to applicants who are interested in enhancing their education careers by learning and applying Improvement Science approaches and methodologies within Networked Improvement Communities.

Fellows will engage in an intense program that combines training and practical experience. This will include a mix of improvement science, network initiation and development, and facilitation skill development. Learn more.

Gates Webinar Thursday, January 19 Noon PT -- What Teachers Care About: Understanding Changing Teacher Narratives. Two years ago, the Gates Foundation funded research looking at teacher narratives about everything--their classrooms, the profession and the education system. Ten narratives emerged, which are explored in a new report a nd an upcoming webinar. Join the webinar.

Join the NNSTOY Facebook Group. If you are a State Teacher of the Year, a Finalist or a State Coordinator, you are missing out if you are not connected with us on the NNSTOY Facebook Group. Sign up not to get important notices, post your news and gain great ideas and resources from colleagues. Ask to join the group ( the answer is YES!) or email laurie@nnstoy, who can hook you up. 


Review more strategies to lean into NNSTOY teacher leadership, understand member benefits and engage with the organization.
What We are Reading
Interesting and emerging ideas about education from around the country

5 Education Stories to Watch in 2017 ,  Claudio Sanchez,  nprED

Philadelphia Principal Sharif El-Mekki embraces servant leadership to make a difference, Autumn A. Arnett, Education Dive


Our Condolences to Linda Reid

Linda Reid (Oklahoma 2007) lost her husband to a hit-and-run accident January 3. Cards may be sent to her at 8505 E. 98th Street, Tulsa, OK  74133. Our prayers and thoughts are with you, Linda. 
Kudos, Shout-Outs & Accolades*
News from the NNSTOY community

At the Pennsylvania chapter meeting, Mike Soskil (left) was named as 2017 Pennsylvania State Teacher of the Year. He is shown here with Director of State Assessment Programs at Data Recognition Corporation Christian Schiller.
The Pennsylvania NNSTOY  chapter recently elected new officers and committee chairs: President  Angela Homan ; Executive Director Fran Nesta ; Immediate Past President Cindy Ollendyke ; First Vice President/ Selection Chair Michele Switala; Second Vice President/Forum Chair Denise Williams; Treasurer James Nagorski; Secretary Jolene Barron; Director of Professional Development Janet Miltenberger; Director of Donor Relations/Partnerships Lora O'Brien ; Round II TEACH Liaison Lois Rebich ;  Technology Douglas Martin ; Round II Membership Ellen Burke ; Awards Committee Chair Carol Aten Frow ; and Newsletter Editor Lauren Zucker .

Melody Arabo's (Michigan 2015) article "A New Year, A Fresh Perspective" was published on the U.S. Department of Education's Homeroom Blog. "By January," Arabo reminds educators, "the routines and activities that we have in place can become dull and redundant to students, so this is a prime time to shake things up and try something different."

Courtney Cochran's (Arkansas 2017) article "Counting My Blessings " was featured on the National Board blog. In her commentary, Courtney cites her decision to become a National Board Certified Teacher as a turning point in her life.

Bill Gates recently named Nate Bowling (Washington 2016) as one of his "Favorite Fanatics of 2016 ."  Learn why and check out the impressive company Nate finds himself with.

Jessica Anderson (Montana 2016) was named as Presidential Awardee in Engineering, Math and Science (PAEMST).

Alex Kajitani (California 2009) has launched an online, interactive program to "get every kid in America to master their times tables (without the stress)," called MultiplicanNation.com. 

Tom Rademacher's  (Minnesota 2015) first book,"It Won't Be Easy,"  is set for release April 25. The book provides beginning teachers with a clear-eyed, frank, boots-on-the ground account of what he was getting into when he began teaching. One  reviewer writes,  "It Won't Be Easy is mercifully short on jargon and long on practical wisdom, accessible to anyone-teacher, student, parent, pundit-who is interested in a behind-the-curtain look at teaching and willing to understand that, while there are no simple answers, there is power in learning to ask the right questions."  Preorder a copy  (Amazon).

Jody Zepp  (Maryland 2015) recently met with Education Secretary John King and  advisors at the U.S. Department of Education to  discuss inclusion and equity in America's public school. 

Monica Washington (Texas 2014), Tom Rademacher (Minnesota 201) and Maddie Fennel (Nebraska 2007) were named by Education Post as three of six teachers " who got real and told us what we need to hear."

Megan Allen's  (Florida 2010) article " How Teacher Leaders Can Face the 'Rabble-Rouser Dementor "  was published in  EdWeek . Her piece offers an insightful take on the unintended consequences and pushback that teacher leaders often face as they take risks to help teachers grow and promote leadership. 

Not one--but  two-- of  Justin Minkel's (Arkansas 2007) articles ended up on  EdWeek's Top Teacher Stories of 2016 .   "Why I Plan to Stay in Teaching" and "Three Ways Teachers Can Make School Suck Less" took the number one and number four spots, respectively.

Shawn Sheehan  (Oklahoma 2016) is named and quoted in a  Washington Post article by  Nínive  Calegari, " Why so many teachers need a second job to make ends meet ."

Josh Stumpehorst (Illinois 2012) presented a TEDxNaperville session called " A Classroom led solution for changing our school system . " In his presentation, Stumpenhorst argues that the key to career-ready education is problem solving. 

Kelisa Wing's (DoDEA 2017) article "Against All Odds: Fair and Equitable Education for All" made ASCD's Top Ten Blog Posts of 2016. Her book Weeds and Seeds: How to stay p ositive in the midst of life's storms  will also available on bookshelves soon. Wing tells a story--sometimes sad, sometimes funny--about teaching, loving and activating one's faith to push forward and plant positive seeds, even in difficult circumstances.

Curtis Chandler's  (Kansas 2011) review of  Rich Web Resources to Raise Cultural Awareness  was published on the Middle Web  blog.

Dyane Smokorowski (Kansas 2013) and Kristen Record (Connecticut 2011) have been awarded fellowships to conduct research on behalf of NNSTOY for 100Kin10. Read the announcement.

Oregon STOYs  Brett Bigham  (2014),  Mike Lambert  (2009) and  Heather Anderson  (2016) met last month with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley to talk about the nomination of Betsy DeVoss for U.S. Secretary of Education.

Talya Edlund's (Maine 2016) editorial "Trump's education agenda threatens Maine's public schools" was published by the Bangor Daily News.  

Barbara LaSaracina (New Jersey 2001) has retired after serving students for more than 25 years in the classroom. Word has it the veteran teacher has already booked her first retirement vacation--at Mohonk Mountain House!

Guess who was spotted hanging out over a building in the Los Angeles area? Rebecca Mieliwocki (California and National TOY 2012) has also been featured in magazines. She's that big. 



*Send us your scoop!  If you have professional information to share in Member News, please connect with laurie@nnstoy.org. A huge thank you to Rick Joseph (Michigan 2016) and Cindy Ollendyke (Pennsylvania 2006) for sending candid photos from the classroom and local education events

#TeachersLeading