Michelle Obama recognizes Michigan's Terri Tchorzynski as School Counselor of the Year

In previous posts I have expressed my strong belief that, like classroom teachers, school counselors are chalkboard champions, too. So it truly excites me to discover that our nation's First Lady, Michelle Obama, also values the hard work and commitment these dedicated professionals provide to our young people. In a White House ceremony held Friday, January 6, Mrs. Obama honored fifty of our nation's most talented school counselors, and recognized one of them, Terri Tchorzynski from Battle Creek, Michigan, as the School Counselor of the Year.

Terri works at the Calhoun Area Career Center in Battle Creek, Michigan. A graduate of Central Michigan University and Spring Arbor University, this dedicated educator has been a high school counselor for seven years. Previous to her service in this capacity, Terri served as an English teacher and girls' varsity basketball coach. One of Terri's most impressive achievements as a counselor was the creation of school-wide college-readiness program.

The ceremony to recognize the work of school counselors is part of Mrs. Obama's Reach Higher initiative. The fifty finalists who attended the White House event were selected by the American School Counselor Association. The criteria used to select the honorees include creative school counseling innovations, effective school counseling programs, leadership skills, and contributions to student achievement.

Well done, Terri, and congratulations to the 49 other honorees! As Mrs. Obama said, "You are Heroes!"

Inspiration for Teachers from "The Leader in Me"

Ten-year-old Dalton Sherman asks the question, "Do you believe in your students?"

As educators all over the country ready for another school year, we are undoubtedly contemplating our role as a teacher, advocate, and role model for our kids. Here is a keynote speech from a young man just ten years old who asks the question, "Do you believe in your students?" You've got to see this!

Professional responsibilities: What a change since 1872!

As teachers ready themselves for the start of another school year, it seems appropriate to spend some time reflecting on professional responsibilities. Usually I read the list of responsibilities for teachers published by the National Popular Education Board in 1872. It's amusing to see how much things have changed in the last one hundred and forty years. Here's the list:

• Teachers each day will fill lamps, clean chimneys.
• Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the day's session.
• Make your pens carefully. You may whittle nibs to the individual taste of the pupils.
• Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly.
• After ten hours in school, the teachers may spend the remaining time reading the Bible or other good books.
• Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed.
• Every teacher should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of his earnings for his benefit during his declining years so that he will not become a burden on society.
• Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool or public halls, or gets shaved in a barber shop will give good reason to suspect his worth, intention, integrity and honesty.
• The teacher who performs his labor faithfully and without fault for five years will be given an increase of twenty-five cents per week in his pay, providing the Board of Education approves.

Awesome.

University of Southern Mississippi adds copy of Chalkboard Heroes to library collection

I feel so honored to receive this letter from the library at the University of Southern Mississippi regarding the recent donation of a copy of my second book, Chalkboard Heroes:

Teacher Stacey Guerin: Member of the Maine House of Representatives

There are many fine examples of talented teachers who have also excelled in the political arena. One such example is Stacey K. Guerin, an elected member of the House of Representatives for the state of Maine.

Stacey was borne in Kenduskeag, Maine. As a teenager, she attended Central High School in East Corinth, Maine. After she graduated in 1977, she earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Maine, and worked for a time as a teacher.

Running on the Republican ticket, Stacey was elected to the House in 2010 representing District 102. As part of her work in the House, she has sponsored a bill to establish a teacher appreciation day, to found an access to justice day, and to require background checks for child care facilities and providers. She also serves as a member of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee and the Judiciary Committee. She is also a member of the Maine School Nutrition Association, the Maine Restaurant Association, and the Greater Banger Area Chamber of Commerce. She has also been active in 4-H.

Stacey currently lives in Glenburg, Maine, with her husband, Joseph, and their five children. The couple owns the RM Flagg Food Service Equipment Company.

Great Teachers Inspire!

Before you go back to work this fall, enjoy this fabulous two-minute YouTube video entitled "Great Teachers Inspire."