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Making Connections with Quality Teachers
Amanda Mayeaux is participating in a panel discussion at the Conference on the role of teachers in enhancing teacher quality and improving student achievement.
Teacher
Quality...What a theme! Once you have spent time with Milken teachers from
around the nation, you are overwhelmed with specific examples of quality.
Two years ago I came to this Conference as an
excited honoree. I was focused on the Conference, but quickly learned that while
$25,000 may be the treasure the world will see, my treasure will be all of the
connections I make. I left knowing that fact was true. I have made so many
terrific friends and I have learned so much from these connections.
I am more relaxed at this year's Conference,
and I began making connections from the first second. I have met incredible
teachers who exemplify quality. All have similar traits. First and foremost,
each teacher is passionate and his/her face literally lights up from within
when asked about teaching. Second, all are extremely well-spoken and
communicate their visions effectively. I am sure few students leave their
classes confused. All of the teachers are also constantly scribbling ideas they
hear from other teachers. Quality teachers know our best ideas are triggered
from our collaboration with others.
Karen Christenson Teff, a new Milken Educator from Minnesota, told me on Tuesday that she attacks everything in her life with the attitude that she will succeed. She said she can't even imagine not doing her very best. That statement sums up the attitude of the teachers at the Conference. This inability to conceive failure is the internal spark that causes quality teachers to continually improve and to believe that their students can learn and grow. Little is said between the teachers about pay or bonuses—not that this is not an important portion—but for us, teaching is really about the students. We are all intrigued and eagerly awaiting all of the new connections we will make.
For more information on the Conference—including the agenda, bios of Conference presenters, photos and videos—please visit the Milken Family Foundation Web site at www.mff.org.
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Amanda
I found your comments during this session to echo my own feelings in many ways. I have been blessed with the opportunity to attend several conventions since my own recognition in 2002. Each time I come back energized and 'raring to go!'
In reflecting upon this panel discussion, the job-alike sessions and the informal conversations I had throughout the convention, I came to realize that the source of the energy and inspiration comes from the 'can do' attitude of all attendees. "All children can learn" is not a slogan for us; it is a firm belief system. I didn't ONCE hear "That's a great idea but it wouldn't work for MY kids." We are always looking for a better way.
A quality teacher is one who is, first and foremost, a learner. The key for us, as Milken educators, is not only to speak up and share the importance of job-embedded, high-quality staff development with policy makers, but to SHOW them HOW IT IS DONE! We can start small, create voluntary learning communities with our colleagues and then SHOW our administrators and policy makers what to do on a larger scale. We love to network at our conferences, lets show our colleagues at home the joys that come from breaking down the barriers between our classrooms and learning from each other!
Jennifer Palmer
Maryland Class of 02
5/21/06 7:21 AM