National State Teachers of the Year

(Noise frokm TOYs, continued)

Roberta is also a published author. Her most recent article, entitled "Getting Creative," appeared in a segment called "Insights: Positive Environment" in the Winter 2008 issue of New Teacher Advocate. This publication by Kappa Delta Pi provides helpful information for pre-service and beginning teachers. We commend Roberta for her ongoing work in behalf of the education profession.

Terry Christiano (NJ 84)reports: "To My NSTOY Family; Sadly, I must report that my son, Jeff passed away on Mon., Feb. 23rd. Jeff fought a hard battle with Leukemia and the results of chemo, a fall that resulted in a broken neck, and subsequently, a fall that did serious brain damage. Through all of Jeff's problems, you have been supportive, loving and always at my side.

Although our hearts are broken, we know that Jeff is now with his Dad and his Grandmother. The tears will dry up but our memories will last forever. I shall always visualize that little boy, clutching his favorite fishing pole, walking toward the lake to "catch the biggest fish you ever saw!"

A mother's heart never quite heals; but we do go on to offer prayers and love to Faye and Larry Shaw who now face a battle to get Larry well. My hand is outstretched to you, my friends. I shall be thinking of you and keep you in my daily prayers.

Barbara Gilman (GU 99) had a surprise at the end of the last school year. The day before leaving for her summer travel, she learned that the attorney general and the Health and Safety Task Force had closed her school down. At the end of the summer, she found out that her school would be on double session with another school across the island. She spent the week before school started moving things from school. Barbara says her house is more like a warehouse now. Her school day now runs from 1:00 PM to 5:45 PM, the hottest part of the day.

(Constitutional Change, continued)

In many states, finalists are already eligible to become members of the NSTOY state chapter. Many are actively participating in the organization at the state level but are denied membership at the national level.
NSTOY should not be an organization of elitists. Finalists are often equally as qualified as recipients of the Teacher of the Year award and are equally deserving of membership.

CON:

Admitting finalists would change the character of an organization specifically established to unite educators recognized as the Teacher of the Year in their states.
The focus of NSTOY has always been on quality, rather than quantity. It is by nature an honorary organization with limited membership.
The process of selecting finalists differs among states, resulting in a difference in the number selected each year. Admitting finalists would produce an imbalance in the national organization, as some states would have more finalists eligible for membership than others.
Eligibility of finalists would be difficult to verify in states that do not maintain records or contact information on finalists.
The name of the organization would no longer be appropriate, for the organization would no longer consist solely of National State Teachers of the Year.
Membership can be increased in other ways beyond admitting finalists. Efforts could be made to recruit more State Teachers of the Year, who are already eligible for membership.