Thank you! This award means so much to me, especially because as you all know, as teachers it is rare that we are recognized for what we do. So this is really an honor. It was also a surprise that Wendy Smith FCSEM Awards chair and Nicole from Lake Trust pulled off telling me in an amazing way. I was doing a FEFE training in Arkansas last week and just before I began one of my presentations, the State CTE Coordinator came in and announced to all the participants that I had been named Michigan Teacher of the Year. I was SO surprised and quite speechless – AND they had passed a card around in the morning session for everyone to sign – so they already knew!
It’s customary to invite family, administrators, co-workers, friends to this luncheon to watch the award presentation. Timing, circumstances, prior commitment prevented everyone from attending. Even my dog was busy! But I did want to introduce my family to you anyway. My husband, three daughters and their families…

As I thought about what I would say today, I thought about how many educators couldn’t be here and for many, it’s because of what is happening in the State of Michigan and to the FCS programs. I was all ready to talk about STAYING POSITIVE! …if you were here Tuesday night, you heard Wendy Shepard give us some great pointers about that. BE positive, be encouraging of others
I also was also ready to talk about how RESILIENT FCS teachers are and how we always do what has to be done (and run circles around many other educators). Norma Tims did a great job of encouraging us in that area. She has been with us and seen us get knocked down and get back up a lot of times.
AND I was ready to suggest some ways to promote your program. Max Peterson covered that for me in her keynote. I have so many more ideas now and I’m sure you do, too!
So what’s left? In my teaching career, I have always tried to be a leader, volunteer for committees, look for new opportunities and learn whatever I could. Because of that, I have had opportunities to promote my program, propose new classes, get my school to approve Personal Finance as a fourth year math credit, learn TONS of new strategies and how to use technology and meet wonderful teachers who are also working as hard as I am. All of that allows me to connect with students and make a difference in their lives one student at a time.
I encourage you to do the same. Wherever you are in your career, go out on a limb, step up and speak up.
I want to leave you with a short video clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ
Don’t be afraid to be the Lone Nut or the First Follower…you may be amazed at the opportunities that open up for you.