I consider myself to be pretty nostalgic and highly fond of “the moment.”  I am one of those “where were you when…..?” guys.  I enjoy life’s personal and public monumental moments.  I like to take it all in:  the setting, the atmosphere, the people, and the emotions.  In regards to personal accomplishments, the fact that I earned the title of 2014-2015 Harford County Public Schools Teacher of the Year is number one on my list.  Sure there are several other monumental moments that have occurred in my life involving loved ones, but as far as an individual accomplishment, earning that title is second to none for me.  The evening of March 26, 2014 will forever be a vivid memory for me.  The night was magical because my immediate family members were able to be there in support of me.  I will never forget the look on my son Colby’s face as he realized I was named Teacher of the Year.  The words my daughter spoke just before the announcement saying “even if you don’t win, you are the best daddy” gave a steady boost to my emotions.  My mother’s sobbing cry was a result of sheer joy.  My wife’s embrace as my name was called was just where I wanted to be in that special moment.  It was as surreal of a moment that I will ever experience.

The highest personal honor of my life was receiving a nomination from my colleague and buddy Erika Jones.  I was called to a “meeting” one Friday morning to discuss student data regarding reading.  As I arrived, I saw six of my closest friends along with balloons and posters.  As soon as they saw me everyone yelled “Congratulations!”  My response was simply “for what?”  Erika announced that they were nominating me for HCPS Teacher of the Year and hoped that I would accept their nomination.  As they encouraged me to accept, they each told me the most kind and meaningful words that I have ever heard spoken about me.  I was completely choked up and could barely speak.  I can say with 100% certainty this was the most honored I have ever felt in my entire life. 

Earning the title of HCPS Teacher of the Year has given validation to the purpose of my professional life.  You may hear teachers state that they wanted to be a teacher for as long as they could remember.  This statement could not be further from the truth for me.  Honestly, school would have been the LAST place I chose to spend each moment of my professional life.  As a student I was apathetic and disengaged, to put it lightly.  I never came anywhere close to reaching my full potential and to be quite honest I became sick and tired of hearing about it.  When I arrived at a crossroads and had to make a decision of what to do with the rest of my life, I decided that I was going to atone for my mistakes.  My conscience was heavily weighed down due to regret resulting from my past failures.  I could not go back and fix my mistakes, so I decided to do the next best thing and try to prevent those same mistakes from occurring with others.  I made the decision that if anything, I was NOT going to be pulled into the principal’s office one more time and be told “Larry, we see that you have great potential…..but you are not fulfilling it.”  I now became a person that was driven and motivated to do the best I could every single day.  Earning the title signified my atonement.  Being named HCPS Teacher of the Year was my personal apology to all of my past teachers, administrators, classmates, and most importantly my parents.  It was my way of saying “I am sorry.”
My takeaway from this year through all of my experiences is quite simply the general public honestly values educators.  The night of March 26, 2014 I received more gifts than I ever could imagine.  From jewelry, a laptop, a television, use of a car, mounds of gift cards, and numerous political citations each gift has represented an offer of gratitude.  Although the gifts are thoughtful and appreciated, it is the words spoken to me that I have cherished and held the closest.  I have heard some of the kindest and most meaningful words that I would never have imagined been spoken about me.  Political figures, superiors, colleagues, family members, friends, and folks that I do not even know have enabled me to feel unimaginable pride.  I recall a special moment in the Mars parking lot.  An elderly lady approached me after seeing me loading groceries into my trunk.  She said “Are you the teacher of the year?” and I responded “yes ma’am.”  She told me a handshake would not do and proceeded to give me a hug thanking me for the very important job that I do each day.

I am not the best teacher in this county.  I am not the most talented teacher in this county.  I am not the most important teacher in this county.  There are thousands of other teachers that are EXCELLENT at what they do.  I value them in the highest regard, as everyone else should as well.  Here is the thing about teachers; teachers bring intensity, focus, desire, passion, and motivation to the classroom on a daily basis.  It is a most noble profession because of the desired compensation.  Educators are selfless.  The true compensatory reward is student success.  That is it…..bottom line. 
I have been given an excellent opportunity over the past year.  I have been able to engage in conversations with stakeholders of education from all levels, ranging from the state superintendent, county superintendent, state school board members, county school board members, curriculum planners, community members, business leaders, parents, fellow local and state educators, and union members.  Each and every individual that I have been able to speak with, regardless of the affiliation, has made one very important idea crystal clear.  It has always been and always will be about the students.  Every single daily decision made is decided upon with student’s best interests in mind.

I have been honored more this year than any other year in my life.  My true honor is being a part of a quality school system and a quality school.  I would be remiss in not mentioning my school Edgewood Elementary School.  The educator I have become is a true reflection of my environment.  The teachers and staff of Edgewood Elementary School are some of the most talented and dedicated educators in this county.  Each Edgewood Elementary School employee works so hard every single day for the common good of the students.  Every decision, every notion, every plan all comes back to what benefits the students.  I am proud that I have the opportunity to represent all of them and shed light on the greatness of the people in that building.  I appreciate and value all of their work more than they will ever know.  My favorite celebratory moment involved my school.  As I walked into school on March 27 (the day after the banquet), my wife hid my work badge so I had to enter through the main doors.  As I entered, I was welcomed to a red carpet entry with every single Edgewood Elementary School staff member lining both sides.  Each person was cheering and chanting for me.  As I walked through and gave my high fives and handshakes I had only one thought in mind.  The title of HCPS Teacher of the Year was not for me…..it was for us!  It was for Edgewood Elementary School!  I was fortunate to be the proud teacher to receive the individual honor, but really it was OUR honor.