Today I had a huge surprise…. this is how it started:  Yesterday I was in our Instruction Leadership meeting and we were told that there was going to be an assembly tomorrow where our school was being honored for the gains it made.  We were told by Mr. Lewis (our principal) that we, as a team, were going to receive the honor on behalf of the school so we needed to dress to impress.  Now, this was spirit week at school because of Prom, and it was going to be 80’s day tomorrow.  I love to participate in school spirit events and had already tried on and got my outfit all ready.  ACDC shirt, neon leggings, black skirt, bandanna, heels with socks.  And of course, I was planning of the big hair!  So, I asked “what about 80’s dress up?” and he told us with a smile to do it Friday if we wanted, but tomorrow, no.  I have to say I was a little disappointed and I knew my students would be as well as they love to see how I will dress each day this week.  But, of course I was excited that our school will be getting honored!

So Thursday started out as any normal day, and yes, I left my school spirit at home and dressed up in a blazer, skirt and blouse. Kids asked me all day why I didn’t dress for the decades, and I told them that I would be helping to accept an award with some other teachers at the assembly today.

1:15 pm came and classes were being called down to the auditorium.  I was helping a few students in my room and finally realized I better get down there.  As I walked in, it was full of students, Board Members, and press.  Very good for our school!   Then I saw my ILT team members sitting up on the stage.  I didn’t know we were going to have to sit on the stage…  so I reluctantly climbed the stairs (I don’t think I have been on a stage since high school! ) and wanted to at least sit in the back row, which I realized was all taken since I was the last one to be seated.  So front row middle it is.  Mr. Flanagan shook all of our hands and he asked me my name.

The assembly started and Mr. Lewis made some opening remarks about it being a proud day for Ottawa and that we have made some positive gains.  He then introduced Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan.  The microphone was going in an out, and I was thinking how terrible that would be to try to talk up there while that was happening, I felt for them.  He started off praising our school (and saying that we needed a new microphone which got a laught from the crowd), and then went on to say that there was a teacher here who he had to pretend he didn’t know…..my friend Christie tapped me on the leg…  and I think my mind went blank from there!  I heard “the 2012-2013 Michigan Teacher of the Year is Ms. Bobbi Jo Kenyon!”  Needless to say I was very surprised, and apparently the news people knew about this and where I was sitting because a photographer captured the moment perfectly (above pic).

I stood up and went to the podium where I felt myself shaking with nervousness and excitement.  The kids were screaming and I never felt so loved and appreciated at work.   They then announced that there were some people here that wanted to celebrate with me and I watched as my parents, sister, neice, and boyfriend Lance walked down to sit in the audience.  My parents were called up to the stage (they were called my Mr. Lewis earlier in the week and all were hiding until this moment- I will have to talk to them about that later!)  I hugged my parents, and having my dad there, who taught for 37 years in Cadillac and was my biggest influence to become a teacher, was really special.  I was then asked if I wanted to give a few words and I went up to the podium.  I was really thankful for the custodian, Randy, who had ran to the stage minutes early to fix the mic.  I gave my speech, and when I watched it on video later, I don’t remember saying all the things I did!  But I felt it captured everything I wanted to say.  I was amazed I help it together without crying, but there was a moment I choked up and came real close.  I received flowers after, more hugs, and went back to my seat on weak legs.  I don’t think I ever shook so much!

The assembly concluded and I immediately found myself surrounded by press.  The whole bit was surreal.  I had a chance to interview with a TV station back in my classroom, meet the Secretary of Instruction for Washington, Rodrigo Hernandez, who was there for a town hall meeting, and then go to a wonderful reception with colleagues, members of the Board, the Mayor, members of  Michigan Department of Education and other community.  This day was the most amazing one in my career and I will never forget it!  Thank you to everyone who made my day so special and I forgive you for keeping the secret from me.  And a special thank you to Mr. Lewis, not only for the nomination, but for making sure that I didn’t wear my 80’s clothes!

If you would like to share this special moment of mine, please go to my “folio” section and click on “My Suprise Assembly”.