Students' Choice Award

This morning I was honored to receive the Port Orchard Rotary Students' Choice Award, along with a good friend Peter Bulthuis. Each year 7th grade students at the local junior high vote for their favorite teachers in elementary school. The local Rotary club organizes this, and recognizes the recipients at a breakfast. There were about 20 teachers who were recognized, and it was great to see so many of my colleagues also get recognition for their hard work. So often in this profession, the rewards are intangible. Sure, there is the paycheck each month, but I seldom really know if I am having the kind of positive impact I want to have on kids. I've learned that 99% of this job is relational, the rest is stuff that was/wasn't taught in college. This award is probably one of the most important and meaningful awards to receive because it is based on the relationships I formed with students, chosen by the students, and based on the positive learning experience I gave them. It is a tangible award, representing so many intangibles, which are the reasons why I teach.

Peter Darragh, M.S. Education

Tonight I posted my final assignments for my masters program. I focused on K-8th grade science. It has taken two years of weekly assignments and science projects. Overall, the science content wasn't too challenging, but it did give me great perspective and some useful strategies for the classroom. I have fond memories of a rotting bottle full of compost decomposing in our spare room, grass seeds growing under grow lamps, and a water tower made out of coffee stirrers. Stephanie finished her master's degree a few weeks ago too! No more college for a long time for me...I've had enough!

Summer is Here!?

Warm weather, bbq's, and water skiing! Hopefully, we have some warm weather that might stick around for more than just a few days. Last night a coworker invited the staff over to her house on Long Lake. I got to go water skiing for the first time in 6 or 7 years! That was fun. I am definitely ready for the last day of school now!

Tim Darragh: B.A., Illustration

After four years at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Tim graduated last week! He now has a B.A. in Illustration, and is quite accomplished. The night before commencement, all the art students had a gallery opening. Tim had two wall to cover with his work, showing what he has accomplished. It was quite impressive! The personality of the drawings was really evident. It was impressive to see the evolution of a character from the first sketch, to a framed, finished piece. Great job - We're all proud of you Tim! Check out his website: theeyeinside.com



The next day was the commencement ceremony at Benaroya Hall, downtown. It was beautiful! There was a gamelon ensemble that played several unique compositions from Indonesia and Japan. A student speaker and some students who sang a tune called, "I Want to go Back to College" really helped show the unique personality of all the Cornish students. Gone were the cap and gown (except for one student), and in were gifts for their department chairs. It was a proud moment when Timothy Darragh was called, and he walked across the stage to receive his diploma! Great job Tim! Big things are in store for my brother, he is truly talented, and gifted with drawing.