Awarding not very rewarding

Hickman Mills High School no longer exists. I may have shed a tear or two over this closing, but I get to be part of its history. I was awarded the "2009 Teacher of the Year" for Hickman Mills High School, the last one. (It sounds like a great trivia question, don't you think? --Who was the last Teacher of the Year of Hickman Mills High School?)

I got a letter in the mail this week from the district. It said, "Congratuations on being named the Teacher of the Year for your school building! Now that you have been awarded this honor, you also have the chance to become the Hickman Mills District Teacher of the Year! Enclosed you will find the application."

An application? For an award? Okay, so I read on...

The District Teacher of the Year Award Application Cover Sheet reads:

1. Basic School/Personal Information

2. Please attach the following:

a. Professional Biography: What were the factors that influenced you to become a teacher? (one page)

b. Community Involvement: Describe your commitment to your community through service-oriented activities such as volunteer work, civic activities, etc

c. Philosophy of Teaching: Describe your personal feelings and beliefs about teaching, including your own ideas of what makes you an outstanding teacher. Describe the rewards you find in teaching. How are your beliefs about teaching demonstrated in your personal teaching style? (one page)

d. Education Issues and Trends: What do you consider to be the major public education issues today? Address one, outlining possible causes, effects and resolutions. (one page)

e. Letters of Support: Attach three letters of support from any of the following: administrator, fellow educator, student/former student, parent or civic leader

This is all due within two weeks from receiving the letter. Anyone crazy enough to get all this done in two weeks deserves District Teacher of the Year. I promise you, it won't be me.

T-Bones Baseball

The boys and I went to see a T-Bones baseball game for the first time. Tonight's game was Teacher Appreciation Night so we had discounted tickets. Plus, it as Kids Eat Free night, so the boys each received a free hot dog, chips and drink. I was a little nervous for the weather, but it turned out to be a great night for the game. Dylan brought his baseball glove, prepared to catch a ball. He didn't get the chance to catch one, but a nice guy sitting a few seats away rescued a foul ball from the vistor's dugout (next to our seats) and gave Dylan the ball. He was on cloud nine!

Powell Gardens: Bugs and Real Bugs

The boys and I went to Powell Gardens today to check out their new Big Bugs Exhibit. While the flowers were as beautiful as ever, the bug exhibit wasn't quite up to par. I think there were maybe five statues this year, versus previous exhibits that littered the garden. We still had a good time, and some of the flowers and statues are below.

This wasn't one of the statues, but rather one of the more exciting things we saw today. We came out to Powell Gardens after a heavy rain this morning, so I think some of the little critters were out to get dried out. This one in particular was quite entertaining!

This was my favorite of the giant bug exhibits. I think this was number three of five or six that were out this year.

This is the best I could do with my bee pictures. Dylan and Evan helped me spot them in the flowers so I could get a good picture of one.

Giant Ants: There were three of them on top of the hill.

You can still see the rain on the flowers from this morning.