TSC Recognition Night

On Wednesday evening, TSC honored its teachers who had won awards over the course of the school year. 

 Because of my PAEMST award for Science teaching, I was one of the honorees.

 It was a lovely evening and very well done.

 Me, Tricia Beeler, and Sarah Williams.

 Craig and Steve Dietrich. (Steve's wife teaches with me; Craig coached Steve in football years ago.)

I was more than a little nervous about those risers that we had to stand on. Fortunately, my friend Gina and Lance Wildoner helped me get up and down.

Two other teachers from the High Ability faculty won awards - Kristy Harshbarger and Gina Boyd were recognized for their work in Economics education.

Craig and me.

HASTI Conference

One of the perks of winning the PAEMST award was that it "opened doors" (as my principal is fond of telling me.)

I was given a membership in HASTI, and my fees for their annual conference were waived!

Thursday I started with the keynote address by Dr. Kenneth Wesson, a neuroscientist. The standing woman in the picture is Ginger Shirley, president of HASTI and a high school science teacher in Albany, Indiana. I met her at the PAEMST awards and have corresponded with her several times. The other lady is the president of the National Association of Science Teachers; I got to chat with her a bit, too.

It was a thrill to sit in a large conference room with other science teachers and scientists from all over.

There was lots of good information everywhere, and I was glad I had brought my laptop for notes because I can type faster than I can write.

This cartoon from Dr. Wesson made me smile.

I will be presenting in a staff meeting about the conference in a few weeks, so I tried to get information on all grade levels to share with my colleagues.

These two different cards about the engineering design process are an example of that.

Indiana has added engineering design to its science standards, and so I tried to focus on those, too.

Another smile - doing a project in a seminar that was very close to something I just did with my students! I must be on the right track.

I had planned to attend Friday's sessions as well, but I got a migraine Friday just before I was to leave. That was disappointing; hopefully I will be able to go next year again.

A Rock Star Moment

Being recognized when you are out and about town is a common thing when you are a teacher. And it isn't always a student who you know or who has been in your class - sometimes the child running up to you crying, "Hi, Mrs. I!" is totally unfamiliar to you. (I just smile and say, "You must go to Hershey," and their little faces light up because you KNOW them. Think Elf and you've got it.)

Lisa and I call those "rock star moments" and they make us both smile. And they happen because we are seen around the school, at assemblies, and on morning announcements. You may not know all 500+ kids at your school, but they sure know you!

Like this:

The day after I won my award, Linda asked me to be on morning announcements so that she could honor me in front of the whole school.

 It was a bit outside my comfort zone, so I just sat there quietly.

 Until she pulled out the Hershey tiara.

And the Hershey pink boa (which sheds badly - I picked up a lot of feathers before I finally decided to take it off.)

It was lovely to be recognized and has led to more rock star moments with Hershey kids I do not know but who walk up to me and share congratulations.

But that's not a bad thing. In fact, it's been fun, and I am touched by the sweetness of the children who come up to me and say something.

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.

"You've Got This, Mrs. I!"

I did not tell my class, or many people aside from my family, that I was up for the PAEMST award. I am not someone who wins things, and I only went for it because I feel that 1) if you are nominated by someone you should honor that, and 2) because my principal encouraged me, telling me she thought I really could win the award.

I would do a lot for Linda Fields - she's the best principal I've ever had. And so I went through the rigorous nomination process of hours and hours of paperwork, documentation, writing reflections, and webinars. It was VERY stressful. But I still did not think I had any chance of winning.

One of the things I had to do was submit a 45 minute film of myself teaching a Science class. No easy task to set up cameras and have a filmographer in front of twenty-four kids and then not have questions! So I finally told my class rather sheepishly what was up.

They were immediately in my corner, and asked why I had not said something to them beforehand.

"Oh, I won't win this," I said. "What are the chances?"

There was an immediate outcry that yes, I would, too, win! AY even went so far as to say, "You've got this, Mrs. I.!" in a voice of not only encouragement, but also one of "how could you think otherwise??"

While I was very touched at their fierce support, I also thought about how young they were, how their perspective was so limited, and that they really had no idea of the scope of the PAEMST award.

Well, lo and behold, it was the teacher who got schooled.  The scriptures talk about how "a little child shall lead them," which is true in this case - I have learned something from that experience with my students' faith in me. I saw myself then as a very strong Language Arts teacher, and an average Science one.

They saw more.

"You've got this, Mrs. I.," indeed. Thanks, kids.

Tippecanoe School Corporation

July 15 at 3:02pm · 

Congratulations Lynn Isenbarger of Hershey Elementary School on being selected as a state-level finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program. This prestigious award recognizes her outstanding contributions as a teacher of science in Indiana. Pictured: Mrs. Isenbarger giving instructions before students begin delving into the anatomy of an octopus.

Update - The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

I received notice today that I am a state finalist for The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching! (Go here for an earlier post about it.) There are five finalists, and one of us will be chosen to represent Indiana in Washington DC.

I am still stunned, and keep rereading the email from the state (below) to be sure I didn't misunderstand.

-----

June 27^th, 2016

Mrs. Lynn Isenbarger

Hershey Elementary

Congratulations on your selection as a state-level finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program. This prestigious award recognizes your outstanding contributions as a teacher of Science in Indiana. You will be invited this fall to attend a luncheon to honor and present a plaque for you and the other state finalists. Should you have questions about your award or other matters pertaining to PAEMST, please feel free to contact me at jcorwin@doe.in.gov.

I look forward to meeting you at the luncheon and wish you continued great success in your endeavors as a teacher of science.

Sincerely,

Jarred Corwin

Secondary Science and STEM Specialist

Office of College and Career Readiness

Indiana Department of Education

115 W. Washington Street

South Tower, Suite 600

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Office:  (317) 232-9175

jcorwin@doe.in.gov

What More Could Happen?

When you decide to go for a challenge while keeping your priorities straight, sometimes things happen that make you wonder - they are too much of a coincidence. Last weekend's events are the perfect example of that.

In February I was nominated for The Presidential Award in Mathematics and Science Teaching. It required an enormous amount of time to apply, with lots of things to gather, do, film, and write. (Go here and then to this site for the back story.)

Last weekend was crunch time. Everything was due by midnight on May 1 (which led to the question of, midnight at the beginning of May 1 or midnight at the end? PAEMST sent out an email clarifying that it meant midnight May 1 Hawaiian time, or 6:00 AM May 2 Eastern Time.)

Saturday was a day for writing the narrative and wrapping up and checking the other categories to be sure I had done all that was required. I did not want to lose on a technicality - that would crush me after all the effort I'd put into the application!

But, I also had decided that, if I went for this award, I would keep my priorities straight - after all, in the end it is simply an award. People are far more important. So, Saturday I went to see my mother as I usually do, with Lisa coming along. We had Arby's for lunch, and then came home.

An unfamiliar car was in the driveway. We had unexpected company! My heart sank a bit because I needed to get back to writing.

The visitor was Win Aker, an old friend of Craig's, one who knew him when he was first baptized. They hadn't seen each other in years. I said my hellos and Craig told Win that I was under some pressure to get a writing project done. I started to go upstairs, but realized that the priority here was Win, not my writing. So I remained until Win left. (And then I frantically dashed back upstairs and got to work!)

I worked until I was too tired to write any more and needed a break and went to bed.

Sunday morning I got back to work, not something I like to do on the Sabbath, but I felt it was ox in the mire and the due date was looming. The phone rang around 10:00 AM - it was my favorite aunt, Sissy!

She was in Bloomington having just won IU's Distinguished Alumni award, and she and Ned were planning to drive up for a visit.

Oh, gosh. But priorities again - I needed to keep them in place. And so I left church after Sacrament meeting and ran over to University Place to meet with Sissy, Ned, my sister Jenny, and Mom.

Jenny said of this picture, "That's Mom with her two favorite people in the world - Sissy and Dad."

Mom, Sissy, (Dad), and Ned.

Sissy and Ned were also under a time crunch, and so they only stayed an hour. I rushed home and got back to work, furiously typing, proofing, double checking, and so on.

Win had joined us for Sacrament meeting and was coming for Sunday dinner. Craig cooked so I could continue working. Lisa arrived for supper but Win rang and said he was running very late and to go ahead without him. I ate quickly with Craig and Lisa and then scurried back to my office. Win arrived later (I wasn't even aware that he had come and gone, I was focused so hard on the paper.)

My car had died on Friday and needed to be at the shop by 8:00 Monday morning. Lisa volunteered to help her dad get it there that night, leaving the key for the mechanic to find, so that I could work and not have pressure in the morning to get up early and take the car in myself. It was an offer I gratefully accepted. I typed and typed and typed; the deadline was drawing close.

And then...

The tornado warning sirens went off!

I literally sat back in my chair, looked up at the ceiling, and said aloud, "Seriously? A tornado now??" to the Lord. I could not believe that I was being interrupted again!

I scooted downstairs and turned on the TV to get further information, then realized that my laptop, the only spot on which my paper was saved, was still upstairs. If the tornado hit our home, all that work would be lost. (Notice that, at this point, I was so tired I wasn't even thinking that a whole lot more than a paper would be lost!)

Running back upstairs, I grabbed the computer and brought it down with me into the living room. There really was a tornado, but it was down by Linden, so I was in no danger unless another formed closer by, so I went back to work, slogging through the last bits of writing.

I finally finished up at 11:00 PM, did a final check of everything in my application, and hit the submit button. Receiving a message that all was in order, I dragged myself downstairs and to bed at 11:00 PM May 1, 5:00 PM Hawaiian time.

PAEMST Webinar

I am feeling a little overwhelmed and under pressure right now.

In February I was nominated for a Science teaching award (The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching) by Dr. Andrew DeWoody, a professor at Purdue University. I believe that if someone takes the time to nominate you for something, you should honor that. So, I sat down one Saturday and went to PAEMST.org and looked at the requirements.

They are very rigorous - not only the usual resume and letters of recommendation, but writing a twelve page paper, adding ten more pages of supplementary materials, learning five new teaching perspectives (called "Five Dimensions"), filming a forty-five minute lesson of myself teaching Science while using those Five Dimensions, tracking down school and corporation data, and on and on.

Gulp.

The time commitment was HUGE.

After some consideration, I decided I would simply just frame the lovely nomination certificate I received as a nominee, thank Dr. DeWoody, and leave it at that.

Except that PAEMST contacted Dr. Hanback, superintendent of TSC and informed him of my nomination. He and Dr. Fraley, assistant superintendent, contacted my principal and asked that I go for it.

I am under no illusions as to why they'd like me to do it, but my principal, Linda Fields, approached me and talked to me about PAEMST, too. She also wanted me to go through the application process. But her reasons were different and not focused on what I could do for TSC; they were more a personal interest in my teaching and a genuine belief that I had a chance at this award.

And so I am now in the middle of a very stressful month, trying to meet the May 1 deadline and get all my ducks in a row so that I can do the next step in the award process.

 Last night I attended a webinar for the nominees. Fourteen of us were in it, and they came from Nevada, Texas, North Dakota, Alaska, Ohio, Connecticut, Puerto Rico, and a couple of other states.

 The webinar was very helpful and I learned some tips about how to beef up my application, especially the part about learning the Five Dimensions. I had seen them in the application, but had not realized that they were the very core of the award.

I learned how the layers of the nomination process went, the system your application wends through after submission, (the final stop is the White House, where a committee selects the national winners), and that winners for this year will not be announced until 2017 before heading to Washington D.C. and meeting the president.

Winning is not my goal. Honoring two people who have faith in my teaching by applying is, along with using this opportunity to meet and learn from some of the best Science teachers in the country and improving what I bring to my students as their teacher.

Back to that application!

"It's a Major Award!"

Actually, it really is. A collaboration of The National Science Foundation and the White House, PAEMST (Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching) is the highest honor an American Science or Math teacher can win. It alternates annually between K-6 teachers and 7-12, and this year is the elementary teachers'  turn.

While I highly doubt I would win something this prestigious, being nominated was not only an honor but certainly a surprise as well.

Dr. Andrew DeWoody, a professor, scientist, and researcher at Purdue, is the one who nominated me. I taught both of his daughters several years ago, and he and I did some collaboration in my classroom with isolating our own DNA (which was SUPER COOL) and then looking at the genetic coding of salamanders (his area of research.)

Since Dr. DeWoody took the time to go through the nomination process, I have accepted the nomination and begun the process of submitting a resume, letters of recommendation, documenting lessons I teach, and finding someone to film me in the classroom teaching Science lessons. It is a very intense process, but I guess that is to be expected.

Below is the press release from the White House announcing the 2015 winners.

Heartfelt thanks, Dr. DeWoody. You made my day.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

July 01, 2015

President Obama Honors Outstanding Mathematics and Science Teachers

WASHINGTON, DC -- President Obama today named 108 mathematics and science teachers as recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. This year’s awardees represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity schools. The educators will receive their awards at a Washington, DC, event later this summer.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is awarded annually to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process done at the state level. Each year the award alternates between teachers teaching kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th through 12th grades. The awardees named today teach 7th through 12th grade.

Winners of this Presidential honor receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion. They also are invited to Washington, DC, for an awards ceremony, as well educational and celebratory events, and visits with members of the Administration.

"These teachers are shaping America’s success through their passion for math and science,” President Obama said. “Their leadership and commitment empower our children to think critically and creatively about science, technology, engineering, and math. The work these teachers are doing in our classrooms today will help ensure that America stays on the cutting edge tomorrow.”

President Obama is strengthening education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields in order to fully harness the promise our Nation’s students. Investing in exemplary teachers like these awardees is vital to inspiring the next generation of explorers and innovators. That’s why President Obama launched the “Educate to Innovate” campaign, which has garnered more than $1 billion in financial and in-kind support for STEM programs. It is also why the President has called for preparing 100,000 excellent science and mathematics teachers over the next decade, leading to the creation of “100kin10,” a coalition of leading corporations, philanthropies, universities, service organizations, and others working to train and retain STEM teachers across the Nation. In addition, the President’s proposed STEM Master Teacher Corps aims to leverage the expertise of some of our nation’s best and brightest teachers in science and mathematics to elevate the teaching of these subjects nationwide.