Mrs. Frizzle Goes to Indianapolis

When I first began teaching, there was a popular series of books and videos about a magical Science teacher named Mrs. Frizzle. She frequently loaded her students onto the Magic School Bus and took them on all kinds of Science adventures.

My Yankee Ridge students called me "Mrs. Frizzle" for years  whenever we would do Science. I continued the tradition of doing hands-on Science learning when we moved to Indiana, and as the years have passed, I have added STEM learning into those activities to keep them current and relevant.

Yesterday, I received the nation's highest award for Science teaching - The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

It was a HUGE honor and a highlight of my teaching career.

There was a luncheon for the honorees in Indianapolis hosted by the Indiana Department of Education.

We were on the top floor and in the penthouse of the Ivy Tech Culinary Center.

The tables were beautifully set with cloth napkins and molded butter pats!

And Glenda Ritz, Indiana's Superintendent of Education, was in attendance!

She was elected with more votes than the governor received after eight years of Tony Bennett, a lousy predecessor, and has fought for much needed changes in Hoosier education

She made it a point to personally congratulate every winner, taking time to chat and pose for pictures. (I was so excited to meet her, I almost wanted to ask for her autograph!)

She also presented our awards.

Bea Younker (Director of Gifted Ed for TSC) and my principal, Linda Fields came down to support me. So did Craig, but I failed to get any pictures of him!

Linda encouraged me to go through the intense nomination process, even giving me a personal half-day to work on the paperwork. (I put at least forty hours into it!)

Still having a hard time believing that this is all real.

The other finalists - three in Math and five in Science. (One finalist was ill and not there.)

Glenda Ritz with the state finalists.

It was a beautiful day and, as we were told, doors to new opportunities are already opening. I've been invited to present at HASTI (Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc.) by the association's president. Bea has some ideas for professional development that she'd like me to consider. And so on.

Pretty heady stuff. But I am most happy being Mrs. Frizzle and simply exploring Science with my students.