Ginny Carroll’s Speech, Recipient of the Goldin Foundation Award for Educational Excellence
 Two questions I do not care for which come my way with some frequency these days are “When do you think you will retire?” and “Are you still teaching?” I don’t like them because I don’t feel any where near ready to retire and I am still teaching because I love what I do! Recently I have had several former students visit me at school. Former students in grades 4-8 visit regularly but the students to whom I am now referring are ones I taught very early in my career.
Fortunately, not one of them asked me the questions I mentioned earlier but rather exclaimed that they were in fact thrilled to see a familiar face still at Pierce. They also graciously lied and told me that I look the same. They came for different reasons which have allowed me to think more deeply about what I do, why it’s important, and what really matters.
Korey, now a teacher coach for the Boston Public Schools knows that I also teach graduate interns and that I have mentored first year teachers as well. He was interested to know what was most important for teachers to know or be aware of in order to have the most success with their students. From my perspective the answer is simple though the reality can be challenging. Building a classroom community and establishing strong relationships with your students is one of the most crucial aspects of being a successful teacher. Knowing the curriculum and being passionate about what you teach clearly matters but if you don’t make strong connections with your students it won’t matter that you’re a math genius teaching algebra. You have to know your students well, not just what they can do in school but you have to learn about what matters to them outside of school as well. You have to go to the soccer games, piano recitals, keep current on what they are doing and playing, see the movies they see, and learn about, and in some cases buy, whatever it is that happens to be “in” at your grade level-I myself am now the proud owner of a take-apart eraser collection-the latest craze in 2008-2009, I know how to play a wii, I watched a Hannah Montana episode, listened to the Jonas Brothers and according to one of my students from last year I actually have a valuable Pokémon card collection. I told Korey to tell the teachers with whom he works that they are in the wrong profession if they think you work from 8-3. There is so much to do beyond planning, correcting, and staying current with all that is important to the students you teach. You also have to help level the playing field for those children who do not have the means and support from home to do as well as those who do. Looking for the scholarship money, doing the paperwork, making the calls, finding the supplies, providing the snacks, making the home visits and anything else that will boost the child who doesn’t come with everything you wish he or she had takes a lot of extra time and effort and it matters. The job is 24/7. You are never done.
 Ronald, a student from long ago came to show-off his new daughter. Becoming a parent has reminded him of his early school years and he was curious to know what I tell parents in order to help their child do well in school. That was easy since I repeat my thoughts on that to every parent as often as possible …READ every day to your child. Play games with them that reinforce math concepts, spend time with them, turn the television and video games off, don’t be afraid to say ”NO!” and talk to your child’s teacher-help him or her know your child well. Find the teacher who listens well and the one who is eager to know everything about her.
Next came Jules who was finishing her last year in college. She is trying to decide if she should pursue a teaching career. “Why do you love it anyway?” she asked. My first response was playful as I pointed out the perks of an elementary school teacher…”Look at the jewelry you get to wear- necklaces that light up, socks that jingle, not to mention the art work and homemade gifts. What other job can offer such things? Eventually, I answered her question over the course of several days as she volunteered to spend time with me in the classroom. She saw that I value everything they say and do even the unacceptable behaviors because all of it helps me know them better and that makes me a better teacher. I love the way they think and make sense of their world and I love the ways they learn to care for each other. I love the questions they ask that force me to be more explicit in my teaching. My world is one of exploration, discovery, learning, and caring-what could be better?
Lastly, I want to mention my current students whose reflections regarding our service-learning project have had a profound affect on me. Their work this year with a homeless shelter, known as Hope Found, has enabled me to see that Dr. Martin Luther King was right when he said, “Anyone can be great because anyone can serve.” The reflections my students wrote after completing our service-learning project indicate just how great they did feel. They recognized that doing something good makes you feel good. One child wrote, “Helping others made me feel like I was changing their lives and I think I was” Working collaboratively to help solve a problem allows children to not only feel great they also learn to depend on each other and care for each other. Service learning is a powerful experience for children. They have the energy and desire to make a difference. They only need to have the opportunity.
So, if you hear anyone ask if Ginny is still at Pierce the answer is yes and she doesn’t know when she will retire and she definitely LOVES what she does.
Thank you to those who nominated me Dr. Smith-Mumford , David Weinstein, Jenna Goodearl, Joe Luongo, Charlie Walsh, Julie Leitner, Naomi Liss and finally to the Goldin Foundation for recognizing me in this way.
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Come see some beautiful student work at 
On Sunday, May 3, a team of 55 walkers from the Pierce School raised more than $14,000 for Project Bread’s annual Walk for Hunger. Fifty of the 55 walkers completed the entire 20-mile route, and nine of the 55 were Heart and Sole members, each raising more then $500 for the cause.
Students traded chores for donations, saved allowance money, emptied piggy banks, gave up birthday gifts and called family, friends and neighbors in their fundraising efforts. The Pierce School team was the fourth-place team in the state, behind Arbella Insurance, Autopart International and Trinity Church Boston.