This weekend I attended my first Network Banquet and Conference.  What an amazing time meeting some of the state’s top educators!  On Thursday, I attended the banquet honoring educators who have received awards the past two years, including myself.  As the 2012-2013 Michigan Teacher of the Year, I had an opportunity to address the group after a wonderful catered dinner.  I talked about the need to persevere despite obstacles and how we as educators do superhero-like tasks daily with the youth of our state.

  Me at dinner before speaking

Throughout the evening I talked to many educators and loved hearing their stories and sharing mine.  One exciting part was meeting the eight other Michigan Teacher’s of the Year.  Below is a picture of us all.  I am honored to be included with these amazing people!

I have to say that I am even more excited about my upcoming year after talking to the other MTOYs.  I have a lot of great things that I will have an opportunity to do and be a part of, starting with meeting the other 49 TOYs at our first meeting in Arizona in January.

State Board member Kathleen Strauss and me

On Friday, there was a conference with some great guest speakers and some breakout sessions covering topics such as flipping the classroom, using the ipad in education, project-based learning, technology in the classroom, and many others.  Superintendent Mike Flannagan also spoke to our group and ended with a great video clip showing an elephant and his best friend – a dog.  The clip ended saying, “If these two can get past their differences, can’t we all?”  making the connection with the many reforms going on in education and of course the politics of it all.   What a great message.  Below is the link to that video, it is touching!

Elephant and dog video

I cannot begin to explain what an amazing time I had at this event.  We have some really amazing educators in our state.  Congratulations to all the award winners as well, and let us all continue to lead and move our state forward in educating our children!

More photos from the Network Banquet and Conference can be found on the Network’s website:  click here