I see classrooms wherever I go. Sometimes it’s the kind with desks and whiteboards, other times it’s a kitchen table or an unexpected conversation in a busy hallway. Regardless of the place, the purpose and the questions are constant: What’s the lesson here? How do we need to learn it?

There isn’t a more important role I have. These three continue to teach me all the lessons I need to learn (whether I want to or not). Being a mom has made me a better teacher and being a teacher has made me a better mom.

One of the most profound experiences of my career was going through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards program and achieving certification in 2005. I renewed in 2015 and am currently serving on their Board of Directors.

Teaching and Learning Conference, with Ron Thorpe, 2014.

In the best way possible, learning is a little existential for me. There’s always another boulder to push up a hill, always another struggle to scream through, always a sense existence comes from the lessons we’re willing to learn. That’s me. Vulnerable. Imperfect. Authentic. Insatiable.

I always tell my students that I’d rather hear an interesting question than a right answer. Perhaps as much as anything, the question is my go-to teacher move. Perhaps it makes sense, then, that I’m always up for facilitating, asking, probing, discovering.

Great Teachers roundtable moderator, Teaching Channel, 2014.

I had the distinct privilege to represent the teachers of this country as their ambassador in 2010. 39 states, 250 engagements, 3 countries, and 63 delayed or canceled airline flights later and I “went forward” to my classroom more determined than ever to become a better teacher.

National Teacher of the Year Ceremony, White House, 2010.