Loomis  sarah 5x7

My Year at DoDEA's Teacher of the Year

  • Notified of District Teacher of the Year Nomination

    Notified of District Teacher of the Year Nomination
  • Submit Application for District Teacher of the Year

    Submit Application for District Teacher of the Year
  • Interview for District Teacher of the Year

    Interview for District Teacher of the Year
  • Special Day - One I will Always Remember

    Special Day - One I will Always Remember
    Dr. McMullen surprised me while I was teaching that I was chosen as Kaiserslautern School District Teacher of the Year. Extremely emotional :o) Honored to have our military leadership present me a wing pin and a certificate of achievement. So special that my husband was able to be there for the announcement! The below link shows all of us. News Article
  • Armed Forces Network (AFN) - Collaboration Afternoon

    Armed Forces Network (AFN) - Collaboration Afternoon
    AFN came to KES for the afternoon to get a better idea of what a day in the life of an Educational Technologist looks like. The piece that Victoria Seacrist created aired in April.
  • Submission for DoDEA Teacher of the Year

    Submission for DoDEA Teacher of the Year
  • Armed Forces Network (AFN) Commerical Airs

    Armed Forces Network (AFN) Commerical Airs
    [AFN Story](<a href='http://dodeatoy2015.weebly.com/press-releases.html)' >AFN Story</a>
  • PDK Luncheon - Speaking Engagment as District Teacher of the Year

    PDK Luncheon - Speaking Engagment as District Teacher of the Year
    Set at Schloss Johannisberg, a beautiful palace set in the vineyards along the Rhein river, Louise Thompson, Bavaria School Ditrict Teacher of the Year and I spoke. It was a lovely afternoon to honor our high school award recipients and our distinguished educators. Pictured here was one of my 5th grade students being honored at the event.
  • HOLY Cow! Finalist for DoDEA

    HOLY Cow!  Finalist for DoDEA
    Beyond excited, beyond words, and so nervous for this upcoming interveiw! Is this really happening?????
  • DoDEA Virtual Teacher of the Year Interview

    DoDEA Virtual Teacher of the Year Interview
    Beyond ecstatic!
  • Surprise Announcement of DoDEA TOY

    Surprise Announcement of DoDEA TOY
    We were all gathered together in the high school gym to meet our new DoDEA Director, Thomas Brady. I had NO clue, that this was the day I would find out. I just remember, as he started to describe someone, it dawned on me that he was describing me. I started to shake. I was going to get the honor and the opportunity to represent all of DoDEA, students, teachers, our military familes everyone! Oh my goodness!
  • Welcome Back!

    Welcome Back!
    My official first public speaking engagement was to welcome all of my colleagues back to school! It was nerve-wracking, but people easily connected with the theme of "I believe..." from the US Men's Soccer team during this past summer's World Cup!
  • District Award Presentation

    District Award Presentation
    Michael Burst, the Kaiserslautern Distritc Teacher of the Year, presented me with the District TOY award.
  • Guest Speaker at FEA's Union Welcome Back Dinner

    Guest Speaker at FEA's Union Welcome Back Dinner
    Great afternoon/evening chatting with colleagues and sharing my ideas for the year.
  • Headquarter Visit

    Headquarter Visit
    Spent the day meeting and working with HQ staff. Received fantastic feedback from Mr. O'Gara's communication staff. Shared ideas during a brown-bag lunch.
  • Shout Out to all of our District Teacher's of the Year

    Shout Out to all of our District Teacher's of the Year
    DoDEA District Teacher's of the Year are innovative, creative, collaborative and student-focused. I am truly enjoying our collaborative work across our system.
  • Met with Director of DoDEA

    Met with Director of DoDEA
    Was very fortunate to talk with Director Brady during my visit at HQ.
  • CCSSO Fall Event in Tampa- Intergrating CCR

    CCSSO Fall Event in Tampa- Intergrating CCR
    Attended CCSSO's fall conference on integrating CCR with Patty Ewen and Melanie Henson.
  • Met New 2015 State Teachers of the Year

    Met New 2015 State Teachers of the Year
    Great night connecting with past STOY and meeting two of my classmates from my year, 2015!
  • "Speak-Up" Campaign Begins

    "Speak-Up" Campaign Begins
    Project Tomorrow This was momumental that DoDEA was able to put forth an approved.survey to receive feedback from all stakeholders regarding 21st Century education and technology.
  • Guest Speaker at District Admin Meeting

    Guest Speaker at District Admin Meeting
    This was an amazing day, an exciting day - it was the day my Professional Development Idea was launched! The district leadership from the school level on up have been incredibly supportive!
  • Visit to Garmisch Elementary/Middle School

    Visit to Garmisch Elementary/Middle School
    Spent the day working at GEMS. What a fantastic place to work. The diversity of this faculty and staff is impressive. The views aren't that bad either :o)
  • Keynote Speaker

    Keynote Speaker
    Welcomed all students to the Future Educators of America conference held in Garmisch, Germany.
  • K-5 Math CCR Planning Event

    K-5 Math CCR Planning Event
    Absolutely one of the best professional developments I have ever attended. The amount of learning, struggle, and work that was done over 4.5 days was unbelievable. What an amazing group of educators to learn and work with this past week!
  • State Teachers of the Year Conference

    State Teachers of the Year Conference
    With one of our National Finalist, Ann Marie Corgill.
  • SMART Training

    SMART Training
    All State Teachers of the Year receive 2 full days of training from SMART Technologies. The 2nd one will be when we are in DC. Today's training was wonderful and our presenters, Randy Welch and his team did a fantastic job facilitating the training. Can't wait for day 2!
  • Wrigley Mansion

    Wrigley Mansion
    The University of Phoenix hosted us at the Wrigley Mansion. The place was absolutely beautiful. Great historical tour as well.
  • Teaching, Leading, Learning

    Teaching, Leading, Learning
    Our focus on the 2nd day was all about teaching, leading and learning. Sarah Wessling, Katherine Bassett, Chris Minnich, Peggy Stewart and Jon Quam shared, led and taught us on the role we play now and forever. Once a STOY, always a STOY.
  • Meida and PR Training

    Meida and PR Training
    Spent much of the day working on how to work with the media, answer the hard questions and buid strong anchor statements. This group of STOYs got to experience the hard core nature of the press. They did a great job!!
  • University of Phoenix

    University of Phoenix
    Spent the morning attending a variety of workshops on the Univeristy of Phoenix Campus.
  • Collaborating Day

    Collaborating Day
    Hanging out with our amazing Air Force School Liaison officer. Ladonna Abdullah you sure are appreciated!
  • Kaiserslautern District Teacher of Year for 2015-16

    Kaiserslautern District Teacher of Year for 2015-16
    Surprised Garianne Wrenchey in her classroom with the announcement that she is the new District Teacher of the Year.
  • Read Across America Day

    Read Across America Day
    I was lucky enough to read a story to Mrs. Munoz's class in Aviano, Italy. Such a great group of 3rd graders!
  • Hainerberg Visit

    Hainerberg Visit
    Great school visit to Hainerberg ES.
  • Don't Be a Bully

    Don't Be a Bully
    Melody Arabo, Michigan State Teacher of the Year, read her book, Diary of a Real Bully, to Kristina Munoz's class. It was such a great conversation starter. Thanks for visiting Italy virtually Melody!
  • Professional Learning Team

    Professional Learning Team
    Spent 2nd semester this year working with 5 other District Teachers of the Year from across DoDEA. Fantastic learning opportunity!
  • Think Tank Day

    Think Tank Day
    Spent the day developing graduate courses based on teacher input. These teachers will spend Q4 teaching their colleagues new skills to use in their classrooms.
  • European Math Counts

    European Math Counts
    Love watching students think math at the European Math Counts!
  • College and Career Readiness Training with Admin

    College and Career Readiness Training with Admin
    Today Charles, Matt and I trained all of our district administrators.
  • Vogelweh's 4th Graders Virtual Field Trip to the Zoo

    Vogelweh's 4th Graders Virtual Field Trip to the Zoo
    Students in Xavier Flores' classroom participate in a Google Hangout session at the zoo with students from across America to learn about bears and bats.
  • Meeting Undersecretary

    Meeting Undersecretary
    Wes and I met the Undersecretary of Elementary and Secondary Education.
  • Our Class at VP Biden's

    Our Class at VP Biden's
    Our Class photo infront of VP Biden's House
  • Meeting DoDEA Board Members

    Meeting DoDEA Board Members
    Gave a brief to DoDEA Board Members
  • Evening at Vice President Biden's House

    Evening at Vice President Biden's House
    The Vice President and Dr. Biden welcomed us into their house on Sunday evening.
  • Our National Teacher of the Year for 2015

    Our National Teacher of the Year for 2015
    On the Morning Show, Shanna Peeples from Texas, was announced as our next National Teacher of the Year
  • Smithsonian Visit

    Smithsonian Visit
    Today we visited the Smithsonian.
  • Smithsonian Art Lab

    Smithsonian Art Lab
    Spent time learning how the Art Lab community works. Great place for learners to become proficient in a variety of skills.
  • SMART Training

    SMART Training
    Spent the afternoon collaborating with fellow STOYs using SMART products.
  • American Institute of Research

    American Institute of Research
    Spent the morning learning about how the American Institute for Research can and does support education.
  • West Wing

    West Wing
    Outside the West Wing of the Whitehouse.
  • Our Servicemen and Women

    Our Servicemen and Women
    So proud of our service men and women who work at the Whitehouse.
  • National Teacher of the Year, 2015

    National Teacher of the Year, 2015
    Shanna Peeples gives a moving and inspirational speech.
  • Secretary of Education

    Secretary of Education
    Secretary Duncan spoke at the event.
  • Exiting the Oval Office

    Exiting the Oval Office
    Holy Cow! Did that just happen? Me leaving the Oval Office
  • Black Tie Gala

    Black Tie Gala
    An evening to celebrate.
  • Microsoft Offices

    Microsoft Offices
    Our last evening together was spent at Microsoft's main policy office in DC. 3 STOYs were awarded Microsoft Air Tablets, so Wes was sharing with Mississippi's STOY, all the great things the tablet can do.
  • Department of Education

    Department of Education
    Spent the morning discussing policy at the Dept. of Ed
  • Pentagon Visit

    Pentagon Visit
    Honored to spend time with Undersecretary Carson at the Penatgon today.
  • Director of DoDEA

    Director of DoDEA
    Director Brady and I spend time today discussing policy and sharing of the teacher voice.
  • Colleg Career Readiness Standards of Mathematics Training

    Colleg Career Readiness Standards of Mathematics Training
    Matt and I delivered our first CCRSM presentation today to Smith ES. Wonderful staff!
  • STEMposium at Ramstein

    STEMposium at Ramstein
    Totally imperssed with our middle school student's ability to problem solve what to do when a Meteor Strikes Earth.
  • CCRSM Training

    CCRSM Training
    The team visited the Eifel schools for their professional development on CCRSM.
  • CCRSM Training at Hainerberg ES

    CCRSM Training at Hainerberg ES
    Standards of Mathematical Practices - one of the 8!
  • European PTA Event

    European PTA Event
    Thoroughly enjoyed my time listening to parents and applauding them for all of their support of our schools.
  • Director and European Area Director

    Director and European Area Director
    Director Brady and European Director Islas spoke at the PTA convention.