The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Recent Episodes
National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Program
Keynote Speech
The Hero's Journey: What Role Will You Play?
2017 National Teacher of the Year Sydney Chaffee champions education as a force for social justice.
For the ceremony’s keynote speech, National Teacher of the Year Sydney Chaffee drew on the myth of The Hero’s Journey—a quest story that takes its actor from the comforts of the known world into a wider, unknown world of threats and challenges.
Critically, at certain moments, a mentor or helper appears and helps the hero overcome terrible dangers. The hero returns to the known world with new eyes. The work and practice of teachers, she said, was to be a “mentor, not a challenge,” she said, acknowledging her own failures.
“We don’t have to be perfect. We just need to be brave,” she assured the audience, to warm applause. And students need to feel they are “amazing,” she added, calling teachers the potential “transformative thread” in a student’s life. In response to an audience question, she described the weekly Community Circles she developed at her school as a successful way of inviting student voice into school issues.
Access Sydney Chaffee's PowerPoint slides here.
Access Sydney Chaffee's transcript here.
Before the 2013 National Blue Ribbon School Recognition Ceremony officially began, several hundred 2013 school representatives gathered for a networking session. Aba Kumi, NBRS Director led the session with Elizabeth Williamson, USDE Region III Communications Director, and Helen Littlejohn, USDE Region VIII Communications Director. Principals, teachers, and superintendents and shared ideas in open discussion and posted more than 70 practices on sticky notes. Read a compilation of 2013 Ceremony Networking Notes.
Participant comments about successful practices were also recorded and arranged into five brief podcasts: Rigor and High Expectations, Student Supports and Relationships, On Teachers and Teaching, Professional Learning and Invention, and Community Connections.
Participants listen to descriptions of best practices. Photo: Paul Wood
Helen Littlejohn opens the networking session. Photo: Paul Wood
Elizabeth Williamson confers with a participant. Photo: Paul Wood
More than 70 notes were collected. Photo: Paul Wood
Acting Assistant Secretary, Jason Botel Welcomes 2017 National Blue Ribbon Schools
During the 2017 awards ceremony, Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Jason Botel was a keynote speaker. Mr. Botel identified the NBRS awardees as the nation’s education “all stars” and acknowledged their innovation, inspiration, and commitment. He highlighted that each of the awardees is demonstrating what it means to successfully address the unique needs of each individual student. Mr. Botel briefly described the U.S. Department of Education’s current orientation to the federal role in education and its recent activities related to the Every Student Succeeds Act. As a former principal, Mr. Botel congratulated the Terrel H. Bell awardees and recognized the influence and hard work of school principals. Access Jason Botel’s Speech transcript here.
Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos Recognizes 2017 National Blue Ribbon Schools
During the 2017 recognition ceremony, U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, congratulated the 342 NBRS award winners. The winners represented schools from 44 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Schools in New York, Germany, and Japan. Secretary DeVos praised the schools for putting students at the center of everything, working hard, and having a deep and positive impact on students. She talked about the diversity of students in our county and that the unique needs of each student are not met by a one-size fits all approach to education. She thanked the schools for their extraordinary commitment to meeting the unique needs of students every day.
In addition, Secretary DeVos recognized Joe and Trish McTighe who will be retiring from the Council for American Private Education after 21 years. She thanked them for their dedication and commitment to nominating non-public schools for NBRS awards.
Betsy Devos’ Congratulations Speech transcript here.
Michelle Shearer flanked by President Obama and Education Secretary Duncan
Valedictorian of her high school and a Princeton University undergraduate, Michelle Shearer was discouraged by her peers for wanting to “waste” her brilliance by teaching. But something tugged at Shearer, the daughter of a teacher, and she found herself, while completing her degree at Princeton, an avid and committed volunteer at the New Jersey School for the Deaf.
Today Shearer teaches AP Chemistry in Frederick Maryland after spending a year as the 2011 National Teacher of the Year. Her powerful, funny, and affirming talk at the 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools ceremony is now available as streaming audio or for download. (The talk is 56 minutes long; downloading it as a podcast is recommended.)
Michelle Shearer with AP Chemistry students
Download a transcript: Michelle Shearer NBRS 2012 (pdf).
You can follow Michelle Shearer at her NTOY website at www.fcps.org/ntoy or contact her at shearer2011NTOY@gmail.com
Alaska liaison Eric Caldwell describes how the state’s nomination process ensures representation across a unique low population, large, rural state.
Eric Caldwell Interview Transcript For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public and non-public schools. Contact your state liaison.
Virginia liaison Chris Kelly describes how he supports Virginia’s National Blue Ribbon award winners through a state-level plan and a social media framework to promote and share their success.
Chris Kelly Interview Transcript For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public and non-public schools. Contact your state liaison.
Annette Jones, the Assistant Director of Leadership Development at the National Catholic Education Association, describes her past experience as an NBRS principal of a non-public school and her current work supporting schools on the path to NBRS recognition.
Annette Jones Interview Transcript
For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public and non-public schools. Contact your state liaison.
Maryland liaison Darla Strouse reflects on the value of educator recognition programs and describes some special ways that Maryland celebrates National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Darla Strouse Interview Transcript
For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public and non-public schools. Contact your state liaison.
Georgia liaison Keisha Ford-Jenrette stresses the importance of recognizing schools that are making great improvements as well as high-achieving schools.
Keisha Ford-Jenrette Interview Transcript
For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public and non-public schools. Contact your state liaison.
Deer Park Environmental Science Magnet Elementary School (Newport News, VA) seeks to develop engaged students who bring their learning to life through caring for the environment. Immersing students in critical STEM explorations both on campus and off, Deer Park is home to more than 50 animal habitats. Each classroom hosts at least one habitat, teaching students the basics of caring. In addition to a science-intensive outdoor learning space, external partnerships with the Elizabeth River Restoration Project and the Virginia Living Museum give students further hands-on experience in environmental stewardship and restoration. This video created by Newport News Public Schools highlights some student activities.
Download the transcript of Deer Park transcript. Download the Deer Park ES application.
Learn more about Deer Park Elementary School.
Contact Information Mary Jo Anastasio, Principal 11541 Jefferson Avenue Newport News, VA 23601-1930 (757) 591-7470 Website: http://deerpark.nn.k12.va.us/ Email: mj.anastasio@nn.k12.va.us
Student Demographics 2016
Number of students K - 5 526
Students eligible for subsidized meals 42%
Limited English Proficient students 7%
Students receiving special ed services 4%
Student mobility rate 2%
White students 46%
African American students 34%
Hispanic or Latino students 9%
Students of 2 or more races 7%
Average student daily attendance 97%
Joe McTighe, Executive Director of CAPE, describes CAPE’s role in nominating exemplary non-public schools for National Blue Ribbon School recognition and affirms the importance of honoring outstanding educators.
Joe McTighe Interview Transcript
For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public and non-public schools. Contact your state liaison.
Ohio liaison Sherry Panizo discusses how her state brings evidence of National Blue Ribbon Schools to bear on discussions of raising achievement in low-performing schools.
Sherry Panizo Interview Transcript
For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public and non-public schools. Contact your state liaison.
Florida liaison Lindsay Douglas links her investment in the National Blue Ribbon Schools program to her own experience of graduating from a school that later won NBRS recognition.
Lindsay Douglas Interview Transcript
For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public and non-public schools. Contact your state liaison.
Michigan liaison Erika Bolig describes ramping up NBRS involvement after Michigan’s 10-year hiatus from the program. She highlights the program’s vital role in Michigan’s ambitious new education goals.
Erika Bolig Interview Transcript
For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public and non-public schools. Contact your state liaison.
Missouri liaison Catherine Rust reflects on her long history with the program and its impact on the Missouri Gold Star Schools.
Catherine Rust Interview Transcript
For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public and non-public schools. Contact your state liaison.
Jeffrey Charbonneau, of Zillah High School (Zillah, WA), 2014 Teacher of the Year
To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, here is 2014 National Teacher of the Year responding to an question after his speech at the 2013 NBRS Ceremony. A member of audience asked: “I was wondering if you had a teacher who inspired you, especially in the field of science.” Here’s how Jeff Charbonneau answered:
“I actually had two different inspirations. Okay, I’m lying. I had like a thousand inspirations, but two that really stick out.” Listen to Charbonneau’s response (3:19) below.
Read a transcript of Jeffrey Charbonneau's response.
L_R" Sheri Davies, Academic Manager; Kim Wooden, Deputy Superintendent; Jhone Ebert, Chief Technology Officer; Pat Skorkowsky, Superintendent; Katie Decker, Principal; Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education; Andre Densen. Chief Educational Opportunity Officer; Carolyn Edwards, School Board Trustee; Dr. Linda E. Young, School Board Trustee
Principal Katie Decker and Superintendent Pat Pat Skorkowsky
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan used a visit to a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School, Walter Bracken STEAM Academy in Las Vegas, NV, to highlight the role of high standards and expectations. Duncan called Bracken’s story of transformation from a low-performing school to a national model “profound.”
View a slide show of Secretary Duncan’s visit to Walter Bracken STEAM Academy.
Read coverage of Duncan’s visit in the Las Vegas Sun.
Learn more about Walter Bracken STEAM Academy.
Listen to a podcast interview with Katie
Decker on working with the business community, evaluating teachers, and creating a STEAM school (6:17).
Michelle Shearer flanked by President Obama and Education Secretary Duncan
Valedictorian of her high school and a Princeton University undergraduate, Michelle Shearer was discouraged by her peers for wanting to “waste” her brilliance by teaching. But something tugged at Shearer, the daughter of a teacher, and she found herself, while completing her degree at Princeton, an avid and committed volunteer at the New Jersey School for the Deaf.
Today Shearer teaches AP Chemistry in Frederick Maryland after spending a year as the 2011 National Teacher of the Year. Her powerful, funny, and affirming talk at the 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools ceremony is now available as streaming audio or for download. (The talk is 56 minutes long; downloading it as a podcast is recommended.)
Michelle Shearer with AP Chemistry students
Download a transcript: Michelle Shearer NBRS 2012 (pdf).
You can follow Michelle Shearer at her NTOY website at www.fcps.org/ntoy or contact her at shearer2011NTOY@gmail.com