Mississippi Teacher of the Year Program 2016 Nomination Guidelines

Mississippi Teacher of the Year Program 2016 Nomination Guidelines Sponsored by Mississippi Department of Education Office of Educator Quality P.O. Box 771 - Jackson, MS 39205-0771 Phone: 601-359-3631 Fax: 601-359-1728 Website: www.mde.k12.ms.us/otc

District Teachers of the Year: Congratulations on a well-deserved honor! As you go through the application process, remember to be as reflective as possible. You were chosen because your classroom culture is unique and an example of best practice. Get on Twitter (free professional development) or on Edu Chats and follow current educational trends. Your research on current educational trends will help you in the application process, as well as help you advocate for your schools. As district teachers of the year, you have a real opportunity to be a positive voice for Mississippi public schools. We need this now more than ever before. Strong, positive voices help the community know that we still have the best interests of our Mississippi students at heart. If I can ever assist you in any way, please drop me an e-mail. Continue to shine! 2015-16 School Year Greeting Welcome friends and educators across the state to a brand new school year! The beginning of a year is always riddled with anticipation and curiosity for me. My mind races wondering what my students will be like, what their stories are, and most importantly, who will I become in their story? Educators write chapters in the life stories of every learner they encounter. We yield an immeasurable power. What we do on the first day of school, and everyday thereafter, makes an incredible difference in the lives of our students. Entering my eleventh year of teaching, I feel unspeakable joy for what I get to do every day. I don't take this moment for granted, because I am keenly aware of all the mountaintops and valleys we face in this profession. I think about where I was when I started teaching, and how I let so many things diminish my joy as the years went by. I remember at the end of a particularly hard year, thinking I had made the wrong decision entering into this field. But it was the love of my teaching partners and co-workers that reminded me that what we do every day is so much greater than what we can see in the moment. Hardship can make you bitter, but oh my friends, how it can make you brave. Often times, when we think of the impact of a teacher, we think of what they do for their students. However, did you ever stop to think what we do for one another? Fellow educators, it is you that inspire me. Seeing what you do in your classrooms, reading your lesson plans, hearing your triumphs and relating to your hardships- this is what taught me to teach in the first place. I am amazed and inspired by the brand new teachers entering this profession- their philosophies, and where they are with technology and data. If you want some of the best professional development available- sit next to a new teacher. Wherever you are in this journey, your innovation, expertise, and abilities are bringing something unique and important to the table. What we do every day for one another is amazing. Educators are one part teacher, one part researcher, one part advocate, and one part friend. Don t let anything diminish you from your worthy calling. Hold tightly to joy, and remember that we rise by lifting others. I look forward to representing Mississippi in the upcoming year and sharing in your educational journey. Thank you for what you do every day, not just in the lives of our youth, but in the lives of everyday teachers like me. Warmly, Anna Morris 2015-16 Mississippi Teacher of the Year anna.morris@lamarcountyschools.org

2014-15 Mississippi Teacher of Year: Mary Margarett King New Albany High School, New Albany Schools Mary Margarett King and President Barack Obama at the 2015 National Teacher of the Year Program CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT MAP

The State Program Overview The Mississippi Teacher of the Year Program (MTOY) recognizes outstanding performance by our public school teachers. Each local school district may honor its teachers and nominate one for the state title. The 2016 Mississippi Teacher of the Year must be a certified classroom teacher (K-12 standard license) in a state-accredited public school who plans to teach next year. The teacher should have a superior ability to inspire students, possess leadership capabilities and be an active member of the community. Official entry forms and instructions are sent to each district's central office. The local Teacher of the Year entry form, signed by the school building principal, superintendent, and the candidate is returned to the Mississippi Teacher Center for judging. Four finalists (one from each Congressional District) will be chosen. The teacher selected as the Mississippi Teacher of the Year will be the state's nominee for National Teacher of the Year the following year. The Rules The Mississippi Teacher of the Year Program is open to all certified classroom teachers in grades K-12 who teach in state-accredited public schools and plan to teach the following year. Administrators, supervisors, college, and university teachers are not eligible. Each school district is allowed only one entry. The local superintendent is the only person who may submit nominations. All nominations must be typed and signed by your principal and superintendent. Nominations (the original application and 4 stapled copies) must be submitted to the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) by 5:00 p.m. on January 28, 2016. Faxed entries will not be accepted. Nominees will be judged initially on the basis of the application. Do not send additional materials. Teacher of the Year Program Office of Educator Quality Mississippi Department of Education P.O. Box 771 Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0771 By signing and submitting an entry, each superintendent agrees to allow a Mississippi Teacher of the Year Selection Committee representative to visit and video tape the local nominee in the classroom, should he/she be chosen as one of the four finalists. This visit will be scheduled prior to the selection of the state Teacher of the Year. Teacher of the Year finalists may be required to submit a video of a classroom lesson. Upon entering the program, the superintendent agrees to allow his/her local nominee to serve on the 2017 Selection Committee, should the teacher be chosen as the 2016 Mississippi Teacher of the Year. The superintendent also agrees to allow the nominee time out of his/her classroom to make official appearances as state Teacher of the Year. The superintendent shall agree to release the nominee to participate in the Mississippi Teacher of the Year Awards Program. The district agrees to furnish a substitute on these occasions.

If the Mississippi Teacher of the Year is selected as the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, his/her district agrees to release the teacher from classroom responsibilities for one year to serve as spokesperson and advocate for the teaching profession. The decision of the Mississippi Teacher of the Year Selection Committee is final. Failure to comply with any of these rules results in disqualification. The Local Program Local districts are free to conduct their programs the way that works best for them as long as the rules that apply to the state and national programs are followed. Listed below are some tips that you may find helpful for conducting your local Teacher of the Year program. Program Design Start planning early. Give the project high priority. Talk to administrators in other districts that already participate. Include teachers in the planning process. Make the focus of your program the recognition of local teachers, not the competition for a state-level nominee. Recognize more than your teacher nominees as part of any awards program or event to promote the perception of the program as one that recognizes teaching excellence and not one that divides winners and losers. It is a good idea to designate one central office staff person to serve as Teacher of the Year coordinator. Nomination and Selection If possible, use a democratic process to select your nominee. Districts might decide to allow teachers to nominate themselves for the honor. This may work well in smaller districts. Principals on each campus might ask teachers to nominate one of their peers to represent their campus in the local district contest. The nomination forms might include supporting statements. Principals might ask department heads to select a campus nominee. Campus faculty councils or advisory groups might select several nominees with one campus representative chosen from among the nominees by vote of all teachers on the campus. Involve PTAs in selecting campus nominees. Once campus representatives are chosen, or if nominations are open to all interested teachers, a district selection committee might be appointed. This committee might include representatives of parent groups, teacher organizations, non-certified personnel and principals, the president of a high school student council, the local newspaper publisher, the Chamber of Commerce president, a school board member, previous Teachers of the Year or others. Existing committees within the district, such as curriculum councils or district-wide faculty councils, might also take part in selection.

Publicity and Sponsorship Enlist the help of your local newspaper to publicize the selection of your Teacher of the Year. Tell your local news media representatives about the program and this positive story about public education. Ask local businesses and organizations to get involved with your program. Seek their support for awards and recognition. Honor the winner and finalists at special functions and at any annual staff banquet. Ask your local Teacher of the Year to represent your district at community functions and regional, state or national conferences. The MTOY Program is sponsored by the MS Department of Education and is a part of the National Teacher of the Year Program, a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers. For additional information on the Mississippi or the National program, contact the Mississippi Teacher Center at 601-359-3631. The Expectations The Mississippi Teacher of the Year represents all of the outstanding teachers in Mississippi. The teacher serves as an ambassador for the profession as well as a spokesperson for teachers. The MTOY program has developed over the years and provides enriching experiences for the selected teachers. The following are examples of opportunities available to the MTOY: Present his/her platform for the year served, Attend workshops and seminars designed to promote the teacher's platform, Represent the MDE at workshops and conferences, Chair committees and task forces to support teaching and learning, Assist in the recruitment and retention of teachers in the profession, Present his/her area of expertise at workshops and conferences, and Speak to civic and business groups. The Awards The Mississippi Teacher of the Year Program provides the following awards. $5,000.00 will be given to the state MTOY from the Mississippi Department of Education. MTOY and finalists will receive formal recognition at the 2016 Mississippi Administrator and Teacher of the Year Awards Luncheon.

2016 Mississippi Teacher of the Year Program Timeline Date(s) October 1, 2015 Activity 2016 Teacher of the Year nomination application emailed to superintendent. January 28, 2016 February 23, 2016 The original application and 4 stapled copies must be submitted to the Mississippi Department of Education by 5:00 p.m. Faxed entries will not be accepted. Congratulations letters and luncheon registration forms will be mailed to nominees. March 8, 2016 2016 MTOY Selection Committee meets to select the four CD finalists. March 29, 2016 Registration deadline for MTOY Awards Luncheon. TBD MTOY interview April 14, 2016 Mississippi Administrator and Teacher of the Year Awards Luncheon The Application The following questions and information make up the application packet for the 2016 Mississippi Teacher of the Year. Answer all questions, but limit your number of pages to the amount specified. Please do not include information other than what is requested. Applications must be typed in 10 12 font size only in Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. Use the rubric included to guide you in completing your application. I. Basic Data Sheet Please complete the attached application form and return with the following information below. II. Educational History and Professional Development Activities (two double-spaced pages) A. Beginning with most recent, list colleges and universities attended including post-graduate studies. Indicate degrees earned and dates of attendance. B. Beginning with most recent, list teaching employment history indicating time period, grade level, and subject area. C. Beginning with most recent, list professional association memberships including information regarding offices held and other relevant activities. D. Beginning with most recent, list staff development leadership activity and leadership activity in the training of future teachers. E. Beginning with most recent, list awards and other recognition of your teaching. III. Professional Biography (two double-spaced pages) A. What were the factors that influenced you to become a teacher? Describe what you consider to be your greatest contributions and accomplishments in education.

IV. Community Involvement (two double-spaced pages) A. Describe your commitment to your community through service-oriented activities such as volunteer work, civic, and other group activities. V. Philosophy of Teaching (two double-spaced pages) A. Describe your personal feelings and beliefs about teaching, including your own ideas of what makes you an outstanding teacher. Describe the rewards you find in teaching. B. How are your beliefs about teaching demonstrated in your personal teaching style? VI. Education Issues and Trends (two double-spaced pages) A. What do you consider to be the major public education issues today? Address one in depth, outlining possible causes, effects and resolutions. VII. The Teaching Profession (two double-spaced pages) A. What do you do to strengthen and improve the teaching profession? B. What is and/or what should be the basis for accountability in the teaching profession? VIII. National Teacher of the Year (one double-spaced page) A. As the National Teacher of the Year, you would serve as a spokesperson and representative for the entire teaching profession. What would be your message? What would you communicate to your profession and to the general public? IX. Letters of Support (limit of three letters) Include three (3) letters of support from any of the following: superintendent, principal, administrator, colleague, student/former student, parent or civic leader. Please limit each letter to one page.

Please type. 2016 Mississippi Teacher of the Year Application Form Employment Information Title: Nominee Name: Congressional District: Select One (X) 1 2 3 4 School District: County: School: Address: City: State: Zip Code: Phone: Fax: E-mail: Subject(s) Taught: Grade(s) Taught: Total Years Teaching Experience: Years in Present Position: Personal Information Home Address: City: State: Zip Code: Cell Phone: Home Phone: Alternate Email: For Publicity Purposes Only Spouse s Name (if applicable): Spouse s Occupation (if applicable): Enter Children s Name Below (if applicable): Ages School or Occupation

School Building Principal Name Title School Name School Address City State Zip Code Telephone I acknowledge that the nominee submits this application with my approval and that if the nominee is selected as the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, he or she will be released from classroom responsibilities during the year of recognition. Signature of School Principal Date School District Superintendent Name Title District Address City State Zip Code Telephone I acknowledge that the nominee submits this application with my approval and that if the nominee is selected as the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, he or she will be released from classroom responsibilities during the year of recognition. Signature of District Superintendent Date Teacher of the Year Candidate I hereby give my permission that any or all of the attached materials (other than home address and telephone) may be shared with persons interested in promoting the Mississippi Teacher of the Year Program. I also acknowledge that if selected as the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, I will be released from classroom responsibilities during the year of my recognition in order to fulfill the obligations inherented in the honor. Signature of Candidate Date

MISSISSIPPI TEACHER OF THE YEAR WRITTEN APPLICATION EVALUATION RUBRIC NAME OF NAME OF TEACHER EVALUATOR Section II III IV V VI VII VIII IX DISTRICT NAME AND CONGRESSIONAL # SCORE TOTAL SCORE (100 POINTS) Instructions: Use the rubric below to determine a total score for each applicant. Please write as many comments as possible. SECTION II. EDUCATIONAL HISTORY AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES (2 PAGES) 10 POINTS o Colleges, universities, dates attended and degrees o Teaching Employment history with dates, subject, and grade level o Professional association memberships, offices held and other relevant activities o Staff development leadership activities and leadership of future teachers o Awards and other recognition of teaching 0-2 POINTS 3-6 POINTS 7-10 POINTS Fails to establish sufficient educational history & record of professional development activities Provides description of educational history & some professional development activities Provides comprehensive information about educational history & relevant professional development activities supporting consideration for award SECTION III. PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY (2 PAGES) 15 POINTS o Influences of entering the teaching profession o Greatest contributions and accomplishments in education 0-4 POINTS 5-9 POINTS 10-15 POINTS Fails to provide factors that influenced becoming a teacher Fails to provide evidence of contributions & accomplishments in education Factors that influenced becoming a teacher not clearly described Provides some evidence of contributions & accomplishments Provides an in depth description of the factors that influenced becoming a teacher Provides evidence of significant contributions & accomplishments in education SECTION IV. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT (2 PAGES) 15 POINTS o Involvement and commitment to the community o Service-oriented activities such as volunteer work, civic, and other group activities 0-4 POINTS 5-9 POINTS 10-15 POINTS Includes no or one area of partial involvement but not connected to teaching or student success Includes some involvement in 1-2 community activities Involvement is somewhat related to teaching or student success Shows major involvement various long and short term community activities or leadership role in organizing a community or volunteer program Involvement directly tied to teaching and student success

SECTION V. PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING (2 PAGES) 10 POINTS o Personal feelings and beliefs about teaching, including personal ideas regarding what makes this person a good educator. Describes personal rewards in teaching o How are beliefs about teaching evident in teaching style? 0-2 POINTS 3-6 POINTS 7-10 POINTS Fails to address philosophy of teaching & rewards Fails to indicate how beliefs are demonstrated in teaching style Addresses beliefs & feelings concerning teaching & indicates rewards of teaching & evidence of outstanding qualities Indicates how philosophy of teaching is demonstrated in teaching style Provides a coherent and in depth description of teaching philosophy & includes evidence of outstanding teacher qualities Provides substantive evidence of how beliefs are demonstrated in teaching style SECTION VI. EDUCATIONAL ISSUES AND TRENDS (2 PAGES) 15 POINTS o Major public education issues today o Address one in depth, outlining possible causes, effects and resolutions 0-4 POINTS 5-9 POINTS 10-15 POINTS Outlines major education issues but lacks detail Fails to address one issue in depth Addresses major education issues Addresses one issue in some depth Specifies major education issues Addresses one issue in depth, outlining possible causes, effects & resolutions Shows clear understanding of major issues SECTION VII. THE TEACHING PROFESSION (2 PAGES) 15 POINTS o Evidence of highly-effective teaching practices o Cites evidence of student achievement gains 0-4 POINTS 5-9 POINTS 10-15 POINTS Fails to provide evidence of highlyeffective teaching practices Fails to discuss accountability Provides some evidence of highly-effective teaching practices Provides some discussion of accountability Provides substantive evidence of highlyeffective teaching practices Provides substantial proof of student achievement gains and discusses accountability SECTION VIII. NATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR (1 PAGE) 10 POINTS o Message as the National Teacher of the Year to the profession and public 0-2 POINTS 3-6 POINTS 7-10 POINTS Fails to address relevant issues for the teaching profession Message is vague or unclear Addresses some relevant issues for the teaching profession Message is understandable to the profession/general public Message is timely & relevant to the profession & the general public Message is presented in a coherent & persuasive manner SECTION IX. LETTERS OF SUPPORT (3 PAGES TOTAL) 10 POINTS o Score all 3 together 0-2 POINTS 3-6 POINTS 7-10 POINTS Letters fail to include sufficient information Information generally supports applicant s Letters provide strong evidence to support applicant s consideration for award to support the applicant s consideration for award consideration for award ADDITIONAL