"Who, Me?" - On Becoming California TOY

I don't think anyone gets into teaching for accolades.  Whether you're lesson planning on a Saturday, grading papers long into the night, staying at school until after dinner, or spending the Monday of a 3-day weekend reorganizing your classroom library, there's hardly ever anyone there to pat your back for going above and beyond. What's more, most of us aren't even looking for that type of affirmation anyway, we're just doing what we do because we care.  Because it's just what we do.  Because we're teachers.  

Last spring, when I was named Teacher of the Year on three separate occasions - for my school site, district, and county - I had the same reaction each time: "Who, me?!"  On the outside I smiled and even teared up a bit, but inside my head I had the rather panicky and disbelieving thought that someone had somehow made a mistake.  There are so many incredible teachers in my building and beyond; Twitter is proof that amazing things happen daily in classrooms across the country. Being recognized as one among so many deserving professionals is a humbling experience, and one that I have struggled to grasp.

A few weeks ago, I was notified that representatives for the California Teacher of the Year program would be conducting a site visit to observe my teaching practice.  Shortly after that event, I was summoned to the California Department of Education in Sacramento for an interview, which meant that I had the most surreal two days ever.  On a Thursday, I taught from 7:45 until 11:35am, conferenced with parents until 3:00pm, drove an hour and a half to the Ontario airport, boarded a plane, and flew to Sacramento where I arrived (after a delay of several hours) around 10:00pm.    The next day, I interviewed at CDE, then flew back to the desert to await, on pins and needles, the final verdict.  Whew! I'll be honest: it was a lot to handle.  Throughout the entire process, I was unable to discuss anything with anyone, beyond my husband and my principal.  

On Tuesday, November October 29, I received a call from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction's office to inform me that I'd been chosen as one of five 2014 California Teachers of the Year.  Everything after that is a blur.  Since the official press release,  the students, parents, and staff at my school have been so proud and supportive. There has been an incredible response from the community at large, too - not to mention an outpouring of support from other professionals on Twitter!  Through it all I have come to realize how much something like this can unify everyone.  Probably the best moment was when one of my kids came running into my classroom Tuesday morning and said, "Mrs. Pack!  You winning state Teacher of the Year is a big deal!  I know it, because my abuelita and I watched you on the Spanish news!"  When 76% of my students are Hispanic and many speak exclusively Spanish in the home environment, it's an honor to be included in the Spanish affiliate news coverage.  

At the end of the day, people have an innate need to make a difference by having a positive impact, and that's why I think most of us decide to go into the teaching profession.  My hope is that as a California Teacher of the Year, I will be able to shed light on the importance of teaching with visionary passion.  For me, teaching in a technology-rich environment provides the toolbox that enables my visionary passion.  For you, it might be something different.  It almost doesn't matter as long as we can identify it and replicate it daily so that greatness has the opportunity to emerge in our students.  

Being a 2014 CA TOY is undoubtedly an honor, and I certainly owe a debt of gratitude to the people with whom I collaborate in person on a daily basis, as well as all those whose blogs, tweets, posts, and articles I read. Thanks for making me the teacher I am. 

(Credit: KESQ News Channel 2)

BREAKING: Jessica Pack, @Packwoman208, of James Workman Middle, named one of five California "Teachers Of The Year." http://t.co/194Gl1kelU

— Brett Kelman (@TDSbrettkelman) November 4, 2013