Returning the Favor

I became a National Board Certified Teacher in December.  I don't think I will ever forget the day the scores came out.  I waited until the end of the school day because I was afraid that I hadn't achieved.  This was my second year.  I had rewritten one of my portfolios.  I had only missed the cutoff score by ONE point!  I was heartbroken my first year.  I didn't know if I could take that same heartbreak a second year in a row.

I looked at the clock.  2:50 p.m.  Ten minutes before the bell rings.  I open my laptop and stare at the screen.  One of the outside consultants our school hired comes into the room to talk about what she had seen in classrooms that day.  I'm not really paying attention even though I know that I should.  I open Firefox and go the website.  More staring.  Should I look now?  Should I wait until I go home?  I put in all my information, but don't hit enter.  In the background, I can hear the other literacy coach asking the consultant questions. I hit enter and close my eyes.  When I open them, I see "Congratulations...."  I quit reading and jumped up and shouted happily "I did it!"  The other coach immediately jumps up and hugs me.  She didn't even have to ask what I was so happy about.  We did have to explain to the consultant who was looking at us like we were crazy.

Why this slice today?  I got an email tonight to ask me to help with a National Board Portfolio Development retreat this weekend.  I agreed but I am nervous.  I couldn't turn it down though.  This retreat really helped me and I want to return the favor.