Sunday, September 16, 2012

Non-Pony Related, (but still fun)

In my non-horse time I am a teacher. I teach kiddos who are in K-2 and have severe emotional/behavioral problems. I use to have a self contained program, but starting last year I decided to do "full inclusion." It has gone really well, and my kiddos are some of the best behaved (FOR the most part!) They are pretty much amazing kiddos, and I love them more when I'm not getting bit. Friday at school I was going about my business when a man in a suit came into my school and asked to talk to me. I had no idea what he was talking about, so I suggested he find my principal.

Flash forward 30 minutes and I'm told to go to the office. All of my students are taken to lunch, and I am stuck sitting in the office. Something was up, but I couldn't quite figure out what. I hate surprises.

After another 5 minutes the principal called over and asked for me to come to the cafeteria. I think to myself, "I told you that I should go with them, why would you let "Johnny" go to lunch anyway, he usually eats with me." So I did what I normally do and I took off at a dead run into the very quiet cafeteria. There in the front was a man with a giant check being held by my students, a man with a camera and a lady with a big smile. As soon as I hit the door 200+ kids yelled "Surprise."

Side Note: SO Happy that I decided to actually get dressed nice for Friday. SO Happy.

Anyway, the man was from the Seattle Seahawks and apparently I was nominated for an award, and won. I am one of 24 teachers picked for the "Heroes in the Classroom" Award, and I was picked by the Seahawks. I have never won anything for teaching before other than some silly awards here and there that they gave me so I would keep killing myself.

What did I win? (This is from their website):


  • $1,000 donation to their classroom
  • Two tickets to a Seahawks regular season game
  • In-game HawkVision (JumboTron) "spotlight"
  • Pre-Game VIP sideline experience
  • "Heroes" award certificate
  • School visit by sponsors to recognize their achievement

I'm most excited about the fact that I get a jersey with my last name on it. I also got a $350 gift card to Office Max and a "special" discount card for 50% off at Office Max and a bag of goodies. 

The guy went over what I won, and instantly I had 72 little boys ask if they can go with me to the game. I'll probably take my hubby. It was pretty fun day. 

Today I spent it shopping for food for my "Pantry." I started a program last year and send home backpacks to kids who might need more food over the weekend to help them make it to Monday. 

Overall, a pretty good weekend. Even if horses weren't involved. 

10 comments:

Alanna M said...

Congratulations! That is fantastic. Well dne!

Me said...

Very fun! Congrats!

Jai said...

Congrats! Very cool to have other recognize what a great job you do in the classroom.

Jen said...

Congrats!! Very nice that they regocnize how much work you do with those kids. Keep it up!

WishIHadAHorsey said...

Congratulations! Teachers like you are so rare to find - I am so thrilled you were recognized.

Lindsay said...

You absolutely deserve the recognition! This is so wonderful!! :) Congratulations!!

cfa said...

What a wonderful post to read! That is awesome! Congrats!

Gingham said...

so awesome. if anyone deserves it, you totally do. Too bad office max doesn't sell saddles... ;)

amazing!!

SprinklerBandit said...

You rock. Don't you forget it. What a fun program!!

RMyers said...

You are fantastic. I know, as a teacher, just making it to 3:15 is sometimes a huge challenging. And yet you go above and beyond to create programs like the one you have out of your own time. You're amazing!