Remarks from Governor's Reception for NBCTs
by  David Wilkinson, ISEA teaching and learning specialist
Terrace Hill
October 13, 2007

Click here to view photos of the event

I am pleased to welcome you to this reception on behalf of Governor Culver, who will join us later. I also bring congratulations from ISEA President Linda Nelson who is home feeling under the weather. With us today is Kevin Fangman from the Iowa Department of Education. Kevin is the Administrator for the Division of PreK-12 Education.

Many don't understand the challenges of our profession. I recently read the following story that illustrates some of the challenges we often face.

Walking through the hallways at a middle school a teacher saw a new substitute teacher standing outside his classroom with his forehead against a locker. She heard him mutter, "How did you get yourself into this?"

Knowing that he was assigned to a difficult class, she tried to offer moral support.

"Are you okay?" "Can I help?" She asked.
 
He lifted his head and replied, "I'll be fine as soon as I get this kid out of his locker."
 
Congratulations from your colleagues and the 32,000 members of the ISEA on your achievement of National Board Certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

As a result of your work seeking certification, you have increased your ability to describe and analyze teaching. Many outsiders think this is easy. But our teaching circumstances vary so much because of the individuality of the students, the goals of the curriculum, the wishes of the school and community, the wider environment and happenings, our previous work with these students, and our relations with colleagues and bosses. As these all come together, a teacher makes many decisions and takes many actions, some planned ahead of time and some made during the process of teaching.  Some subtle, some obvious.

Over my many years in the profession in visiting with teachers about their teaching, most find it difficult to put in words why they made the choices and the actions they took. In this profession, we have so many decisions to make and so little time. As a result of several experiences, I have discovered that National Board Certified teachers are better able to analyze and converse about teaching. 
 
We realize what you have done to achieve this certification and recognition. You now understand the Architecture of Teaching and see how its simple approach describes this complex work called "teaching." Using the process and standards of the National Board, you have analyzed, evaluated, and reflected on your practice. You created videos of your teaching along with written portfolios that described your plans, intentions, actions and decision-making. You responded to the assessment center questions. You did so and met the exacting standards of the Board. The National Board process demanded that you take the time to seriously reflect on teaching practice.

Albert Schweitzer once said I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve. As a teacher you serve and you will be well-rewarded. Unfortunately, you are unlikely to become wealthy with money, but rich in relationships and memories (however we are working on the money part).

Albert Einstein said Intellectuals solve problems; geniuses prevent them. In that sense, teachers are geniuses; you work very hard to prevent problems before they occur.
 
Eric Hoffer captured well the importance of teaching when he said, In times of change, the learner will inherit the earth while the learned are beautifully equipped for a world that no longer exists. 
Alvin Toffler said, The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. Marian Wright Edelman captures the importance of teaching when she says, We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.  As teachers, we often encounter students later in life who describe an event from our classroom that we do not recall.

Former Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry said, Leadership is getting someone to do what they don't want to do, in order to achieve what they want to achieve. Isn't that a great description of what a teacher often does?

Thanks for being a teacher and educator. It is neither easy nor simple. It is important work for the future of our families, communities, the state and country. It is a great calling. Thanks also to the friends and families who support teachers and teaching.

I can only wish that you receive as much from teaching as you give as a teacher.
Please enjoy this formal opportunity to celebrate this significant achievement with colleagues, friends, and family in this beautiful, historical home.