Entry 62: Brian Newton Award for Excellence

Today was a special day.

Let's rewind for a minute though. You may recall me sharing that last year an organization called Florida Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (FEDHH) changed their Teacher of the Year award to the Brian Newton Award for Excellence in Education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Last year they invited me to the conference where they gave the award to Brian through me. His boss gave a lovely speech about him and it was super great and emotional. A month ago, the president of FEDHH asked if I would be willing to come present the award to this year's recipient. Of course I said yes, how fun would that be.  He explained that I would come talk about Brian and the award, then the president would share the nominees and announce the winner.

Fast forward back to today. After the general welcome at the conference, it was my turn to talk about Brian. How do I summarize him without making the award all about him rather than the person getting it??  Well here's link to my speech.

My face when I was surprised!

After I sat down, they announced the winner and it was ME! I didn't even know I was nominated! They tricked me! It feels so special to know that I won an award named after my husband. He would totally be making fun of me and saying that isn't it crazy how he won teacher of the year his 3rd year at FSDB and it's my 11th and I haven't won yet? Then he would point out that he won this award before me too even though he wasn't alive!

When I just told Harper about the award. She said, "Wow, Daddy won it and you won it? When I grow up I want to win it!"

 

Check out that handmade pineapple vase!

So today was special. My heart is happy. Everyone knows how much I love my job and love what I do. It feels nice to be honored for it. Also a special thanks to Randi and Tracie for my surprise flowers and for taking pictures and videos!