We’re celebrating our 10-year anniversary at the Arizona K-12 Center this year. Just the fact that we’re still here, providing quality professional development for teachers, is something to feel good about. Too often, we launch new efforts in education, but don’t stay committed long enough to realize real results. And as we all know, you don’t change schools and student performance overnight. Fortunately, the state has allowed us time to grow and establish programs that empower teachers to enhance their practices and be at their best for their students. And we are grateful for this.
I personally joined the Center five years ago. What started as an exciting new opportunity now feels more like a calling. The privilege to collaborate with colleagues in order to create resources teachers really need is one I don’t take lightly. It’s been a thrill to see teachers grow professionally and connect with other educators who share their passion. It’s been especially satisfying to watch teachers become empowered and take on the leadership roles so critical to our schools.
Most people know little or nothing of the challenges teachers face on a regular basis or of the profound sense of purpose that motivates them to keep going. At the Center, we’ve engaged with the Phoenix creative community in order to tell the stories of teachers, to reveal the sincere inspiration that is the foundation for so many in our field. These stories have a powerful resonance both with educators and the public at large. They encourage members of this typically isolated profession to feel less alone and remind all of us of the critical part they play in our society.
What started as a fledgling organization distributing small monetary grants to schools and offering a few training opportunities, has matured into a statewide professional development center. Today we touch hundreds of educators throughout Arizona, presenting more than 50 training opportunities in four major program areas. Practicing classroom teachers, as well as state and national experts deliver professional learning opportunities that are relevant, timely and affordable. We’re particularly proud of the growth in awareness and participation in National Board Certification in our state. We now have 681 number of NBCT’s statewide! Way to go Arizona!
We thank all our partners and colleagues who help make this possible, and we’re excited about continuing to develop programs that support teachers to be their best.
