We left NYC on Sunday night and got to DC around 7:00pm. We took the Amtrak train. Let's talk about Amtrak for just one moment. Besides the large seats and luggage that you don't have to check, it makes me a little worried. Anyone could be on that train. Absolutely ZERO security checks for us to board that baby. Scary. I just think it's an accident waiting to happen. But what do I know?
Our hotel was literally a building away from the White House. The Willard Hotel is the nicest thing we have ever stayed in. I am certain we will not top that. After they have opened up your cab door for you, there are bellmen/baggage guys who take your luggage when you walk in the door (or, in our case, go to the back room and find Brian's missing bag that's been from HI to GA to UT to JFK to BWI and finally ended up safely at our hotel) and deliver it to your room about 5 minutes after you have checked in. Without a doubt the most comfortable bed I've slept in. Ever. Two white robes hanging in the bathroom. Super snazzy. I looked it up on line and I think it's like $400 or $500 a night. So you can see why we will never experience anything like that ever again...
We dropped our bags and were excited to go and see something. With the White House a 5 minute walk away, we bundled up and walked over to take this picture. It was so cold. My excitement quickly faded and we headed back to our comfy hotel.
The reason we were in DC was for my prize. A very big prize. Teacher friends, pay attention here - because you could be next. You should try it!
The reason we were in DC was for my prize. A very big prize. Teacher friends, pay attention here - because you could be next. You should try it!In May of 2008 (my last year of teaching - one month before Gavin was born) I turned in an application to the PAEMST - Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. Basically I had to video tape myself teaching a math lesson, do a 20-page write-up about why I did what I did and how it benefitted student learning, turn in a resume and some letters of recommendation. Each state is allowed to choose 3 finalist in each area, science and math. Some friends of mine had told me I should try it, one of them nominated me to do it, so I did - after lots and lots of procrastinating. I guess I figured it would help my teaching and, if I won, would help me pay a few bills so I could stay home with the kiddos faster.
Low and behold, March 2009 I found out that I was one of the 3 finalist for math in the state of Utah. I got a little award money then and I figured that would be the last of it. Once the finalists are selected, they send those 3 (and 3 others for science) on to be judged at the national level. In July 2009 I found out that they had chosen me to represent Utah this year for math teaching. I was shocked. I really, really was. And very flattered. More prize money and a trip to DC for a week of events were the result.
I got to choose one guest. Brian had to be really nice to me for me to pick him - he was on his best behavior. I knew that I would be in meetings all week and that Brian would pretty much be roaming the city. I didn't know how much time I would have to hang out with him. Turns out it wasn't much at all.
Monday morning I registered for the conference and had two hours before the meetings started We hurried over to Ford's Theatre. It was an awesome museum. If only I still taught 5th grade! I loved it.
This is the house across the street where Lincoln died the next morning.
After this quick visit, I had to get back to the hotel to start the meetings. Let's just say when they mean meetings, they mean MEETINGS. It was like Professional Development on steroids. Good stuff - just LOTS of it. We talked and talked and talked. They would talk to us on breaks. We had working lunches. We loaded buses at 7:00am and got back to the hotel at 9:00pm. It made me tired. But there were surely highlights.
This is the house across the street where Lincoln died the next morning.
After this quick visit, I had to get back to the hotel to start the meetings. Let's just say when they mean meetings, they mean MEETINGS. It was like Professional Development on steroids. Good stuff - just LOTS of it. We talked and talked and talked. They would talk to us on breaks. We had working lunches. We loaded buses at 7:00am and got back to the hotel at 9:00pm. It made me tired. But there were surely highlights. In all, my favorite part of the DC meetings that I attended was rubbing shoulders with some really great teachers from all across the country. Teachers who believe the same things I do about teaching and learning. There were 87 of us total. It turned into a beauty pageant just because we couldn't remember everyone's name, but the states seemed to stick. I've always wanted to be Miss Utah. I only wish I had a sash to match.
While I was off being "professional," Brian went to the National Archives Museum, the top of the Washington Monument, White House, Arlington, more monuments and museums. Can you believe he did all of this without me?
Declaration of Independence. We have since come home and watched both National Treasure movies and Brian reported that the document in that movie cannot possibly be the original. He said you couldn't hardly make out any words because it was so faded.
Lincoln Monument (with frozen pool water) from the top of the Washington Monument
I had an hour on the first day before dinner to RUN to a few of the monuments on the National Mall with Brian.
Brian on the backside of the White House
What Brian does when no one is there to take his picture for him. Albert Einstein monument.
Arlington
On Tuesday night our guests were invited to come to an IMAX movie at the Smithsonian. We saw Sea Monsters: Creatures of the Deep. It was totally cool. They gave me my own copy should you need to see it. A scientist and another woman who were both involved in making the movie did a question and answer session with us in the theater to tell us how the movie came about and how they know what they know about pre-historic sea animals. It was super cool. The entire week they were having all of these incredible people talk to us. They really treated us well.
Lincoln Monument (with frozen pool water) from the top of the Washington Monument
I had an hour on the first day before dinner to RUN to a few of the monuments on the National Mall with Brian.
Brian on the backside of the White House
What Brian does when no one is there to take his picture for him. Albert Einstein monument.
Arlington
On Tuesday night our guests were invited to come to an IMAX movie at the Smithsonian. We saw Sea Monsters: Creatures of the Deep. It was totally cool. They gave me my own copy should you need to see it. A scientist and another woman who were both involved in making the movie did a question and answer session with us in the theater to tell us how the movie came about and how they know what they know about pre-historic sea animals. It was super cool. The entire week they were having all of these incredible people talk to us. They really treated us well. Dinner was pathetic so Brian took me to this Italian place and we bought a $20 plate of gluten-free spaghetti. It tasted so good. Then I'm pretty sure we sat around in our robes and ate M&Ms.
