Show 78: Teacher Appreciation

Whether you graduated last week or 30 years ago, chances are that there was a standout teacher at some point in your school career. What was it about that person that made them significant? Perhaps they had a unique teaching style. Maybe they took extra time or showed you extra kindness? They may have seen the potential in you earlier than anyone else did. So on this program we celebrate and appreciate those educators who have made us all better people as a result of their work.

IN-STUDIO GUESTS: Joining KTD host, Shana Sheehy, in the studio to discuss the importance of teachers and the legacy they can create are three of Alaska's most honored educators.  

• Carol Comeau is the outgoing Superintendant of the Anchorage School District - a position she’s held for 12 years. Her career with ASD started in 1974 as a noon-duty attendant, from which she transitioned into various teaching and administrative positions. She is retiring this summer and moving to Bellingham; from there she’ll get to see her grandchildren and their parents a whole lot more.

• Lorrie Heagy is the music teacher and librarian at Glacier Valley Elementary School in Juneau. Lorrie has 15 years of classroom experience and started the Juneau, Alaska Music Matters and Art is Elementary programs. She was honored to represent this state’s teachers as the 2011 Alaska Teacher of the Year.

• Patricia Truman is the Executive Director of the Professional Teaching Practices Commission for the State of Alaska as well as the Alaska Teacher of the Year Coordinator. She is a 30-year retired teacher whose career included teaching in the Yukon Flats, Fairbanks North Star and Matanuska-Susitna School Districts. She is the 2001 Alaska Teacher of the Year.   

RESOURCES FROM THIS PROGRAM:

Guest-related links:

• Anchorage School District
• Superintendent Carol Comeau's page
• Ms. Comeau's Retirement Celebration + "90% by 2020" 
• Anchorage Schools Foundation - Carol Comeau Endowment Fund
• Juneau School District
• Lorrie Heagy's Juneau, Alaska Music Matters (JAMM) program
• Lorrie Heagy's Art is Elementary program
• State of AK Dept. of Education - Teacher of the Year
• State of AK Professional Teaching Practices Commission

"Status of Teachers" story links:

• NEA-Alaska 
• UAA's Institute for Social & Economic Research (ISER) report on teacher turnover
• Another ISER research report on teacher turnover
• Education researcher Richard Ingersoll’s website
• Richard Ingersoll publication on the status of teaching
• Richard Ingersoll report on trends in teacher workforce

FEATURED STORIES:

- The Status of Teachers - Generally speaking, parents and communities tend to have favorable opinions of teaching and yet somehow, teachers are not held in as high regard as other professionals and they’re not paid as well. So how does this affect who chooses to teach? And what will the teaching workforce look like in the future? KTD contributor Jessica Cochran spoke with some people who study the teaching profession and learned about some surprising trends.

- My Most Inspiring Teacher - Kindergarten through high school - that's thirteen years - and chances are there is one teacher who stands out above the rest. KTD producer Sarah Gonzales asked a few high school and college students to recall the one teacher who was especially inspiring and why.

- Power of One: Stephanie Burgoon - "Ms. B" saw the hydroponic equipment confiscated from a drug bust in her small town of Whittier, Alaska as an opportunity to help one of her struggling students grow into something beautiful. KTD host Shana Sheehy has this installment in our Power of One series, highlighting those who make a big difference in the lives of kids.