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I had no one show me the way.  A
teacher/coach/guide/friend/mentor
can make all the difference to a life.
Pick a hat!
That's me.

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There are so many times in my life where I think "Gosh, if only I had known that in high school." I love sharing opportunities with students that open the doors for them that they didn't even know were there. Or perspectives. Ones that are different from the headlines that are popping up in their social media. I love using material that reflects students' identities and struggles and learning about them. They have so much to say and love when they are spelled.

I know that ELL students come to school feeling like they are on a path and that's the only path for them and there's no way to alter it or make it any better. I LOVEEEE when I hear someone say "Oh, I didn't know I could do that." It makes my heart happy.

I'm also here for students who are undoubtedly living through the most traumatic trauma ever. Double trauma. Some kids... being at home the past 18 months... they didn't get to escape that environment for so long. They need adults who notice them, who see them. No sliding by or slouching out of eyesight in this classroom!!! :D

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I love seeing students' reactions when something clicks -- they make a connection, realize that they've just performed something tricky that has been hard-earned -- that moment when the lightbulb clicks on for them.  This is a great moment to witness! 

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I love seeing students' reactions when something clicks -- they make a connection, realize that they've just performed something tricky that has been hard-earned -- that moment when the lightbulb clicks on for them.  This is a great moment to witness! 

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Because I needed caring teachers & staff to keep me on a positive track when I was young.. And selfishly, these kids give me a purpose to stay positive in my everyday life..

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Because I needed caring teachers & staff to keep me on a positive track when I was young.. And selfishly, these kids give me a purpose to stay positive in my everyday life..

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The joy that I see when a student comes to the realization that their hard work pays off or something finally 'clicks' for them so that they can see dreams/goals come to fruition. 

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The joy that I see when a student comes to the realization that their hard work pays off or something finally 'clicks' for them so that they can see dreams/goals come to fruition. 

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Because I believe that students, no matter their socioeconomic status, ethnicity, home situation, or ability level, deserve access to a quality education. I believe that kids deserve a teacher who is passionate about learning and also about them as human beings and finds joy in interacting with their students.

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I have an unwavering belief in the brilliance of our students and all that they are capable of when they are fully supported, and the space they learn in is filled with joy and love. Seeing them come into their own, grow as individuals, and change their lives is what makes it all worth it.

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Rob Szmanda: We are in the business of people and what we produce are the connections made with students and colleagues.  When we boil it down, we have more in common with each other than not.  These connections are priceless and my why.

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Rob Szmanda: We are in the business of people and what we produce are the connections made with students and colleagues.  When we boil it down, we have more in common with each other than not.  These connections are priceless and my why.

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I enjoy being a support for students. I want to help them learn problem solving skills and to find creative solutions to life's problems.

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SH - I want to help young people learn that making mistakes and not knowing things is part of life. We all move towards our goals by trying and challenging ourselves. It is through stretching our limits that we grow. Life is much more exciting when we look at what we have accomplished and say Wow, I did it! And I know they can do it.

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SH - I want to help young people learn that making mistakes and not knowing things is part of life. We all move towards our goals by trying and challenging ourselves. It is through stretching our limits that we grow. Life is much more exciting when we look at what we have accomplished and say Wow, I did it! And I know they can do it.

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I know that this is the safest place that these kids have in their lives. Even though the phones/social media is a problem, this is where we teach them how to socialize with real people and build REAL relationships.

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I know that this is the safest place that these kids have in their lives. Even though the phones/social media is a problem, this is where we teach them how to socialize with real people and build REAL relationships.

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The kids need us - even if they do have a funny way of showing it sometimes...!

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Interacting with students is what teaching is all about. I come to school everyday to do that so my students know that there are adults who actually care about what they plan on doing with their lives

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Students need positive and consistent role models in life so that they can reach their full potential. I was fortunate to have so many wonderful teachers and all it takes is one adult positive role model that can be the difference in what path a student may take in life.

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Because every student deserves someone in their corner. Someone to support them, challenge them, and show them their true potential.

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To connect with students who may not feel like they have a safe place to share what they are experiencing and help support them through that.

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This is my calling. That's why I'm here every day. 

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This is my calling. That's why I'm here every day. 

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All students deserve to have a teacher who cares about them and encourages them to be successful as they transition from high school to college.

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Because students deserve to learn about how they can be part of the solutions to the challenges that face them in life, and every student should have access to understanding and meeting those challenges.

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I really enjoy the students and they deserve to have people that care about them while they are learning about who they are, how to behave, and what being a person even means.

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To give kids a safe place to come.  It's pretty awesome when I have students from last year and summer school come to visit before school and stop by for lunch.  It makes it all worth it.

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To give kids a safe place to come.  It's pretty awesome when I have students from last year and summer school come to visit before school and stop by for lunch.  It makes it all worth it.

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Bobbie Burt

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I wake up every morning to help my student achieve dreams. We all have different paths in life with unique twist, turns, and challenges. I want to help my students navigate their journey for what’s best for them.

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I love creating a safe and happy environment for my students where they feel welcome to learn and grow with their peers. I learn more about myself and the kind of teacher I want to be when I spend time with them too!

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Education is incredibly important and I wanted to be a part of students' learning and growth and being the best person they can be.

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Because these kids deserve a positive and consistent presence in their lives. Plus, I love spending my day listening to the creative, naive, bone-headed, innovative, exciting, dramatic and unique things they have to say. These kids have so much to share with the world. They just need to be heard with an open heart.

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Because it makes it all worth it when you have former students pop into your classroom to say hi, to chat or just to catch up on the littlest of things. But knowing, we as teachers, did something so beautiful to make our students excited to come on campus and talk with their teachers about all things life!

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Because ALL students, regardless of background or ability level, deserve to be loved, respected and believed in. Every student can learn and grow in an environment that values their comfort and well-being!

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My STUDENTS.  When students of the past year (during THAT craziness) they still will email me to set up a time to come say Hi or a "crew" makes it a point daily to come and ask how my day is going and how happy they are that I'm there- when they notice when I am gone and want to come sit in my class when it's not even their class period. I must be doing SOMETHING right. They Rock- and make the chaos worth it. 

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My STUDENTS.  When students of the past year (during THAT craziness) they still will email me to set up a time to come say Hi or a "crew" makes it a point daily to come and ask how my day is going and how happy they are that I'm there- when they notice when I am gone and want to come sit in my class when it's not even their class period. I must be doing SOMETHING right. They Rock- and make the chaos worth it. 

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When I was in high school, I had a poor attitude, wouldn't listen to others, and assumed I had it all figured out. I was lucky enough to have teachers who saw through these qualities and stuck with me to help develop good habits and a positive attitude. I'm here at NCHS to do the same for our students, helping them develop as young adults with an open-minded attitude about whatever awaits them around the corner.

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Because my own teachers, coaches, pastors and other mentors poured into me. Despite my home/personal situation, I must give all of that back. It's my calling to give that back so I can help create a better, more uplifting world around me regardless if it's passed on or not.

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My “why” is to reach a student who may not currently feel they have an adult they can turn to and try to make a positive impact on their life.

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Because all students deserve to be college and career ready, as an instructional coach I serve our students by serving our teachers as a support system and resource working in partnership with teachers using a student-centered coaching model to improve educational outcomes for all.

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Because I believe in the education process and the importance of educating all - I must learn from others and work on my practice so that students and colleagues can learn.

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Because zip code should not dictate ones future outcomes, I lead others to have high expectations and tools necessary to get atypical student achievement so that all students can accomplish what they want in college and career.

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Because I want all of my students to achieve the American dream, I must overcome obstacles to their success so that no one has an excuse for failure.