When did we stop celebrating individual accomplishments at our school sites? Just this past weekend, I found out I had maintained my status as an NBCT and was very excited as last year had personally been tumultuous. I sent a text to my principal first apologizing for the late hour and proceeded with the great news. She agreed it was good news and that was it. A few days later, we were sitting in the library for our weekly PD, and I awaited some sort of acknowledgement as I am the only NBCT at my site but there was none. For an entire hour, I felt as if I held no value. I have been at the same school for over 23 years. I have seen 10+ principals and numerous APs come and go, but much to my disappointment, the level of appreciation has dwindled too almost nothing. Now, I am not someone who needs recognition but seeing as last year was such a personal struggle to not only stay dedicated to teaching with as very little days off as possible, but I also embarked on achieving certification a year in advance. I thought, as she was well aware of my struggles, she might make it a point to acknowledge my achievement and thus giving other teachers the encouragement to go on their own personal journey and becoming a candidate this year. I felt so disappointed but said absolutely nothing.
In addition, one of the greatest office managers is retiring this December after 25 years at our school with no real fanfare. We are celebrating her retirement during each of our grade level lunches in the teachers’ lounge via potluck. I am so sorry for her treatment. She is the kindest, softspoken, hard-working woman I have ever had the pleasure of calling my co-worker and this is how we celebrate her years of service. She was the first person to greet and welcome me as I walked into the building to substitute and the last person to encourage me to return as a substitute. As it so happened, a former middle school interventive on my behalf and the principal offered me a permanent position. That following Monday, Michelle Martinez greeted and welcomed me to the land of jaguars and offered her support. She has continued to offer that support (paperwork, copies, field trips, etc.) and care (passing of my mother last year, Godfather this year, numerous surgeries, and dealing with COVID) 23 years later. I will be very sad to see her go, but incredibly happy to know she will be spending time with her grandchildren.
In years past, we held celebrations on the last day of the semester with catered food, gift cards, cake, and flowers for those who were retiring. I always fantasied how my last day as a teacher would be based on these celebrations, but now I feel as if there will be nothing but someone coming to my class to make sure all of my personal belongs are gone and the classroom reflects, I was never there. So, I ask again why we are no longer celebrated or is just my school site?
Laura Ballesteros
Laura was destined to be a teacher when as a small child she would gather her stuff animals and teach them how to read a book she saw on the PBS show Reading Rainbow. She began her quest to become a teacher with focusing on teaching American History, but an art history teacher guided her towards teaching English. He wanted to ensure she would be able to get a teaching position right out of college. She followed his suggestion and upon subbing at a middle school she ran into her former middle school Social Studies teacher Elizabeth Clontz. Upon completion of their conversation with the principal Laura was offered a position at that school. Mrs. Clontz provided her with the support and direction she needed to complete her first three years of teaching with confidence and dedication to her craft. Laura has spent all 23 years of her teaching at that very school in Language Arts, Special Education, Read 180, Jaguar Den Intervention, and Social Studies 6-8. In 2007, she earned her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. In 2013, she earned her National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Language Arts. She is currently in her dream position as a 7th grade teacher focusing on WWI, WWII, Holocaust, Cold War, and Economics. Over her 23 years teaching, she has taken her students on field trips to museums, concerts, Broadway plays, the state capital, theme parks, and wild animal parks. She has created Hogwarts Night, WWII Bond Dances, and AVID Parent/Students Nights. She is most happy with her teaching when students can interact with history and have fun with it. In her free time, she travels to places related to the history she teaches. She has had the privilege of visiting Europe in 2018 and 2022 under the guidance and financial support of the WWII Museum and NAU Martin-Springer Institute. She has traveled across the country under the guidance of economic organizations to explore economic issues of the past and present. She enjoys returning with her wealth of information and experiences to share with her husband and son.