Ode to Diane

ode

noun \ˈōd\

: a poem in which a person expresses

a strong feeling of love

or respect for someone

or something

(Merriam-Webster)

My dearest friend Diane was bestowed an amazing honor last evening. She was selected as the

Ponca City Public School's

2014-2015

Teacher of the Year!!

Dr. Pennington, Superintendent of PCPS; Diane Anderson TOY; Shelley Arrott, Assistant Supt. & Human Resources

 

 

 

Diane is a friend whom I greatly respect; therefore, this ode to Diane...

Diane was voted as TOY (teacher of year) by her East Middle School staff and then moved to one of the top three finalists across Ponca City in the selection process by virtue of her outstanding portfolio.

 

The three finalists were interviewed by a selection committee with the winner chosen by secret ballot. At the banquet, Dr. Pennington was handed a sealed envelope to add to the mystery before he made the announcement to a packed house of teachers and administrators from all over the district, board members, Friends of Education, and Education Foundation members as well as State Senator Eddie Fields.

 

I must admit, I did squeal when I heard the first syllables of her name as he announced the winner!! I was on my feet cheering in a nano second!

 

Here a few of the reasons I was so excited:

 

I have taught with Diane since 1995. Yes, that is NINETEEN years!!

 

First, we taught first grade together. First grade must have been the cement for our friendship which has endured all these years.

 

Walked countless miles together after school in our attempts to stay thin...thinner...and finally to just have an excuse to get together for a prolonged chat.

 

She taught my son for PreK and Kindergarten and deserves an extra gold star for those two years!

 

Then, in the payback of every teacher in the profession, I taught her son as a 5th grader. Nerve-racking but fun to have her as a support at home!

 

We have taught in two different schools together until the district realized they really should keep us separated. So, she teaches at East Middle School and I teach at Roosevelt.

 

I have sat in hospital rooms and waiting rooms with her through several scary moments as well as traveled with her to distant reading conferences.

 

Through it all, I must say that she is so deserving of the honor as she always seems to find the positive in people--even when she's been wrongly judged or treated. She always does what is right for the student, even if it's the hardest yet longest way for her. She is a forever student advocate! I love that about her!

 

Ponca City News, Friday, March 14, 2014

 

 

I have learned from Diane that a person can learn to laugh about just about anything. That's our normal pattern--fuss then laugh.

 

We've counseled each other through medical issues of all sorts, questioned the doctor's judgments and diagnosis and simply been there for each other.

 

We've shared many meals. We have developed a funny little pattern of always pretending it was "my turn" to buy since we really don't keep track of those petty little things.

 

We've loaned books back and forth...some just living in the wrong classroom for years on end.

 

We've sat at each other's dining room tables (not near enough I might add) and chatted some more in our ever-evolving attempt to keep up with each other.

 

We know each other's parents and she was a great support to me as my Dad breathed his last.

 

As a matter of fact, she's the kind of friend who took Blake for the weekend and for trick-or-treating...never knowing that night would be my last with my Dad. She cried when I called her with the news--like I knew she would.

 

Last night, when she started her speech. She cried...a little. I knew she would and I really wanted to help her with her glasses and her paper.

 

 

 

Here are few quotes from her students:

 

"She goes out of her way to help all students. I always learn something new in her class; recently, I learned during the evaporation lab that heat makes water evaporate."

 

"Mrs. Anderson is cool and funny. She always has a photo, and video or an illustration to help us learn a new concept."

 

"Mrs. Anderson does experiments with us. I love the egg drop."

 

"Mrs. Anderson is a wonderful teacher. She always makes sure to explain things that are on a level so that we can understand. She pushes us to our full potential and she can relate to us. I am so happy to have her for my teacher."

 

So, what does the TOY do the day after she's won it all?

Teach...of course!

Build authentic relationships with 8th graders who are tough to love...

Smile at the accolades but...

will realize there's another kid out there

who doesn't quite "get it" yet.

Yes, Diane, my friend, PCPS's Teacher of the Year,

taught today just like all the other days!

If you're interested, you can see her school web site here.

Thanks for reading about my friend! As her friend, I just wanted to make sure the world knew what a great teacher she represents to the community, her students and to her colleagues!