first, you gotta get the money...and i did...$8,000 from the REB Award for Teaching Excellence. this was a long term process that started back in the spring when my friend and co-worker, jen chambers, nominated me for the award. i was one of 131 nominated. from that i was chosen as one of 37 finalist who would get to compete for the big money - $2,000-$10,000 to pursue and educational dream. one i got past the first cut, i was already a winner of an unrestricted $500!
to get to be a finalist, i had to complete some paperwork that included an outline of my dream educational pursuit and then a complete budget of what it would cost. during the first week in october i went to an interview with the 15 committee members. they asked me questions about my teaching career and other things, and then i was a wait and see game. i thought i had done well...i made them laugh.
no one knew who the big winners were until monday, november 13, 2006 when the awards ceremony was held at the science museum of virginia. the first lady of virginia, ann holton, was the guest speaker and she also handed out the final 14 cash awards to the big winners. i was the last alphabetically, and the last to go
. they announced the $500 winners from each county first, and when my name wasn't announced in that batch, i knew i had won. it was a bit hard to believe!pam and austin went with me to the awards along with jen chambers. my principal and his wife also attended, as did the school superintendents from all 4 of the school districts involved. i was one of 4 from hanover to make the finals, and one of two to get the big money. the other was a teacher from hanover high school. he is going to be backpacking around greece. along with the money they gave us a nice crystal book that was engraved with our names and the date of the award. for a local teacher, this is the best you can get recognition wise. i am very pleased that i was selected and now on to the planning! :)
