Growth and Opportunities through the Apple Distinguished Educator Program

A few weeks ago I was given an opportunity to speak at TCEA in Austin. You would think speaking to other teachers is easy-I speak all day in front of students for a living. But man, talk about vulnerability and reality checks!

I was a nervous wreck as I prepared. But there’s something about putting yourself in a vulnerable position that is so magical: there’s an opportunity to see how far you’ve come. Through all the highs and deep valleys I’ve been through, I’ve come a long way in my 7 years as an educator. This last week of pouring into other educators reminded me that all of the hard work I’m doing in my classroom is movement in the right direction. That digging in and doing things differently—challenging my students to make an impact on their world around them—getting them to not only think analytically in science but creatively—to be problem solvers... all of this is confirmation that what we do in my class is absolutely worth it.

The Apple Distinguished Educator program has opened up unique doors that put me in positions to share with others amazing things they can do in the classroom as well as provide opportunities for growth. The application won't be open until 2019, but I highly recommend it! Best professional learning community I am a part of! 

“A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” Dig deep, count down from 5, and be vulnerable. Vulnerability is our greatest measure of courage. And we need more vulnerable people in this world.