MDI’s Christiane Cullens – ME Teacher of the Year SEMI-Finalist

It began with fourteen teachers being nominated, and from that fourteen, one will be named as Maine's Teacher of the Year 2014. MDI's Christiane Cullens is one of the fourteen, and she is now one of the six semi-finalists, and the lone high school teacher amongst the semi-finalists. For a list of all the nominees and semi-finalists click here.

I contacted Ms. Cullens this morning, and she provided this information on the nomination, and her thoughts on the processl:

"It was extremely fortunate that MDIHS chose to hire me as a first time teacher and support my professional development, as I am quite sure that I would not be the teacher I am today without the consistent trust, feedback and collegiality that my school has afforded me.  In fact, in my interview, the head of the English Department asked me, "How do you feel about designing your own sophomore curriculum? We can order any books you'd need and any technology you'd use. What would you propose?"

At the time, I was absolutely flabbergasted and fourteen years later, I am still in awe of the creativity and flexibility that my school supports in all of our teachers and students.

In researching brain development and how it can inform education and curriculum, I have come across Dan Pink's concept of extrinsic vs. instrinsic motivation.  In a nutshell, it states that when you give folks the autonomy, the clear scaffolding towards mastery and a clear purpose behind their work, they will intrinsically succeed.  I have found this to be true in my own practice, and especially true of my students.

When students feel as though they have voice in how their time and energies are spent, they are more motivated to do well.  When they can see a clear way to an appropriate goal, they will always rise to the expectation.  When their work will benefit and contribute to a purpose larger than themselves, they are inspired to risk more and consequently, learn much more than they ever imagined.

When Charlie Johnson approached me last December and asked if I would accept a nomination to Maine 2014 Teacher of the Year, I initially demurred.  Teachers are inherently humble creatures and habitually like to put students in the spotlight rather than ourselves.  Upon reflection, I realized that to not take the risk would make me something of a hypocrite to my students, and that is deadly dangerous when working with teenagers! I agreed, and the school organized a nominating committee to help complete a rigorous application package of several papers and letters of recommendation.

Having gone through the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Certification in 2008, I knew all too well what work is involved with this sort of process.  From that experience, I also know that reflection upon my practice through any new lens helps me become a better teacher.  Already in the nomination papers, I have reflected deeply on how humor in the classroom supports better interpersonal and acadmic resilience.

I look forward to the challenge of creating a new teaching portfolio, delivering a message and collaborating with the other semi-finalists in this process.  I am truly honored to bring light to the wonderful ways in which my school has supported my practice and in sharing how teaching is in reality, a community experience."

The timetable for the process remaining to select the 2014 Maine Teacher of the year is this:

April 4: State House Hall of Flags Ceremony honoring up to six semi-finalists

April - May: Site visits to semi-finalists' schools

May - July: Semi-finalists work on oral presentation, professional portfolio

August 7: Semi-finalists deliver oral presentations, hand in professional portfolios

August: Professional portfolios read, scored by review panel

August: State finalists interviewed

September: Announcement of the 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year

Fall: 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year Banquet

January 1, 2014: 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year officially assumes all duties and honors in the state and at the national level.

Good luck to Ms. Cullens!