Be the change. TEACH.
Share in my journey...
My name is Ann Marie Taylor. I am sharing in my journey as I travel the Palmetto State this year serving as the 2008 South Carolina Teacher of the Year. Please join me as I tell the stories of the passionate teachers and the inspiring students that I meet in my travels through South Carolina public schools.
Please see the page entitled, "South Carolina Teachers Changing Lives" to track my journey. Enjoy.
If you have a comment or a a story to share, please sign my guestbook. If you would like to view the guestbook comments, click on the blue link at the bottom of this page. Thank you to all those people who have already made an entry on the guestbook page. I appreciate your thoughts, well-wishes and inspiring words...you remind me that what I do DOES make a difference!
Also, please feel free to email me at: annmarie75@bellsouth.net
The Importance of the Teacher Voice
One of the exciting parts of my role as State Teacher of the Year is working with CERRA (Center of Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement) and the opportunity to meet, share and collaborate with the District Teachers of the Year.
Our state Teacher Forum met regionally this past fall to learn more about teacher-leadership and shared leadership. We are planning to meet again for our annual CERRA Teacher Leader Winter Workshop where we will collaborate and expand our knowledge on what leadership can really mean for us as District Teachers of the Year. One of the aspects of teacher leadership that I have been focusing on is sharing our teacher voice. With our legislators back in session and with many educational topics to be reviewed and discussed this session, we MUST share our voice. Dr. Jim Rex has said before that he is held accountable for what teachers do every day on the "front lines"---in our classrooms. Yet, traditionally we have the smallest voice. He, too, wants that to change.
We have a chance to really let our voices be heard...please get involved with your local delegation this session. Call them, invite them into your classrooms, show them what today's education looks like. We have to speak up and be heard. If you want change, ask for change. We have a right to have a say in what we do every day!
Share your teacher voice...make a difference!
Ann Marie with The Honorable George W. Bush in the Oval Office this April
Be there.
Take a stand.
Make a difference.
Serve others.
Inspire.
TEACH.
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
Our Plan...
We all have a special plan for our lives. We are put here to make a difference. We are called to use our special gifts and talents to serve others. Are you using your gifts and talents to make the world a better place? I hope so....