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A reflective account of a National Teacher of the Year's experiences, including successes like networking with international educators and learning new skills, and failures such as lacking an elevator speech and neglecting self-care. Insights on handling rejection, speaking confidently, and leading with kindness are shared, encouraging growth and authenticity in teaching. The narrative touches on strategies for engaging stakeholders and policymakers, promoting dialogue over monologue, and fostering leadership through listening and kindness. The educator also advocates for more student involvement in teaching and increased teacher sharing through writing and videos. Reflect on your unique path and share your truth with courage as you navigate the challenges and victories of teaching. Contact Shanna Peeples via email or on Twitter for more inspiration and connection.
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Lessons Learned Success & Failure & General Surreality as 2015 National Teacher of the Year
Failures • Not being prepared with my elevator speech • Obsessed with social media/ego hooks • Being afraid to speak up with my governor • Not taking care of myself physically • Not giving myself down time
Successes • Networking teachers from overseas • Learning that introverts can do scary things like travel overseas, talk to people at parties, and one on one • Learned from my mistake with Gov. Abbott • Legislators need stories to help them understand what’s at stake • New skills: twitterchats/speaking to large groups
Dealing with People • Fear is under every rejection – address it and you can move the conversation toward where you want it to go • If you’re an introvert, like me, here are some questions you can use if you’re stuck. I used them like life rafts: What are you excited about? What are you passionate about? What are you working on? What’s the most interesting thing that’s happened to you or your staff lately? What’s the most interesting problem you’re working on right now?
Speaking • Use the fear as excitement. Reframe it that way. • Dialogue, not monologue • Give your audience a gift and for teachers that’s validating how difficult the work is. For stakeholders, it’s appreciating that they want better for kids. For policy makers, it’s that they are in a position to do real work for real kids in real classrooms. • Practice OYFOLly – On Your Feet, Out Loud • When you need your energy up: dance and sing • Illustrations bring home concepts that people can understand (shoes/dishwasher/cat)
Writing • From Sarah Brown Wessling: What’s a story that shows who I am as a teacher? (Adam and Juan stories) • From Alex Kajatani: What’s your greatest teaching failure? (Tuan/Jennifer) • 3 Questions: What went well? What needs work? What do I want to do next?
Leadership • Listening is underrated as a leadership skill. People want to be heard. If you can do that, you’re on your way to enlisting them as an ally. • Be kind – it goes a long way • Make positive effort for the good • Continue under all circumstances • Don’t be swept away by praise or criticism
What I’d Like to See • Getting more student teachers into our classrooms • Drafting more high school students into teaching internship roles • More teachers writing/putting up videos
In General • Your path is your path – what is meant for you will happen. You are where you need to be and doing the work meant for you. • Don’t be afraid to tell the truth as you’ve experienced it.
Contact Me • Shanna.peeples@gmail.com • Twitter: @ShannaPeeples • www.shannapeeples.com
