1.) Bill, you have been named Michigan Teacher of the Year and have written a book entitled "Best Year Ever!"I understand that you have now done some recording to help teachers.Tell us about it?

I'm trying to do something truly unique that I have never seen done before in education.I'm trying to start a national epidemic -- spreading hope, determination, and enthusiasm to all educators while challenging them to help pass it on to others.Even though I believe there is a ton more good going on in education, I also know there are pockets of despair that many in this profession seem to be drowning in.Just look at the number of novice teachers that wash out within their first three to five years.Losing 30%-50% of our new teachers is tragic.

Three or four years ago I read an NEA article that described the current situation in education as the "perfect storm."You know, the big storm that created the huge wave that crushed George Clooney's little fishing boat.I think many would agree that the wave has only gotten larger over the last few years.For many involved in education, I think we are fast approaching a "sink or swim" situation.

This free video presentation is a call for all to keep swimming!

Also, too often, I think we tend to over talk and over think many of our problems which often only seems to muddy the water and makes things appear worse.I am a pretty simple guy that wants to share a few simple ideas (simple yet potentially powerful) that I a confident will turn many of our challenges into opportunities that will help us sail to success!I don't claim watching my video will solve all of our problems.I see it more as a half time pep talk from an impassioned coach reenergizing his team by giving them a strong belief that they can achieve, providing them with a winning game plan and a few key plays, and finally, challenging them to go out and work together as a team playing with confidence.

Lastly, I hope to surprise people that watch this video by providing them with great ideas and great entertainment at the same time.We need to rethink how we deliver much of our professional development to educators.It doesn't have to be so dry to stress the importance of the material being presented.Why not make learning fun once in a while? It seems to work in my classroom.Like I tell my students, "Hard work is the engine that will drive us to success, but fun is what will keep the engine fueled."In this video, you will see me working very hard delivering a very serious message balanced with a little humor and having a lot of fun – hoping you will catch the fever and pass it on!

2.) I believe that there is a lot going on that is quite good in education, but there are some small pockets of despair – could you highlight the many good things and reflect on the not so good?

I think many people looking at the data would agree that schools around the country are getting better and better results – which is great.However, sometimes I believe we get so wrapped up in looking at data from one test we give each year that we overlook all the other great things going on in our schools each day.

We need to look at other successes like kids daily work, projects, art work, learning to play instruments or develop their singing voices.We need to focus on the positive, safe, learning environments many of our schools are providing where you see people caring for each other and building strong, trusting relationships.We need to see the pride in our students' faces as they learn new skills, learn to problem solve, work with others, and learn to believe in themselves.

I believe you can walk into most schools and see this and much more taking place on a daily basis.

3.) What is the web site where we can access your dynamic, energetic, enthusiastic message?

It is called Michigan Institute for Educational Management (MIEM).You can access this site by going to www.gomiem.org.That will take you to their home page where you will see my name and photograph.If you click on my photo it will take you right to my presentation which is hosted by a company called ScreenCast.

You will see that the presentation has been broken down into six segments.

Part One: "We Have the Power to Start an Epidemic"; "Now is a Great Time to be Involved in Education"
Part Two:"We are All Leaders with Teams to Lead"; "Creating a Healthy Village"
Part Three: "What I Love Most About Teaching"; "Why Teams"
Part Four:"Setting the Table for Success: Strategy 1 – Creating a Shared Vision"
Part Five: "Setting the Table for Success: Strategy 2 – Team Building"
Part Six:"Setting the Table for Success: Strategy 3 – Team Procedures"; "Setting the Table for Success: Strategy 4 – Enforce Rules and Consequences"

I believe that if you take the time to download and watch the first 12 minute segment, you will get a better idea of what this is all about.My hope is that after seeing the first part you will want to watch the rest and share it with others.

4.) Many years ago, I wrote about the fact that "Teachers Get Discouraged Too."What does the typical teacher get discouraged about and what in your message will help?

I want to be careful how I answer this because I tell educators in the video that we have to stop whining in public about how hard and/or stressful our jobs are because it gives people the wrong impression of who we really are as a whole and people tend to be turned off by whiners and tune them out.

I live in Michigan which currently has the highest unemployment rate in the nation. We need to be sensitive of this around the country. You don't want to sound like you are whining about your job when others are praying to find any kind of honest work so they can pay their bills.

Having said that, I believe every profession has its fair share of stressors that can be discouraging at times.The constant struggle to find enough time to teach everything we are being asked to teach, being "on" all day in front of a group of kids causing you to have to deal with things constantly on the fly, and the intense pressure to get kids to perform well on state tests can even start to wear on the most positive and upbeat teachers once in a while.

I believe there are many things in my message that will help educators to stay positive and strong.I talk about turning our challenges into opportunities, taking care of each other, and creating a positive and productive environment that all can thrive in.Most of all, I hope I model in the video that despite all the challenges we may face on a daily basis, we should still be able to laugh and have a little fun as we work to get things done.

5.) Why do teachers need DETERMINATION?And who is in the best position in one's district to provide HOPE?

I believe that anyone who really expects to achieve worthy goals in their life must be very determined and must be able to maintain that determination over a long period of time – long enough to achieve the goals they have set.The larger the goals the more determination needed.

I believe many involved in education take great pride in this noble profession and work extremely hard on a daily basis to conquer the many challenges while striving to make our schools the best they can be.That takes determination!

The best people to deliver the hope and encouragement needed to sustain that kind of determination should be all of us.In the video I talk about how every single person involved in education is a leader with a team to lead.We need to lead the way we want to be led, and we need to model the way.I believe if others see you giving your best while cheering on those around you, they will start to do the same.

6.) What is this Michigan Institute for Educational Management?How do you get involved with them?

MIEM is a non-profit organization that "provides professional development activities for educational leaders in the state of Michigan that assist them in designing, planning, and implementing quality programs for all students."(MIEM's Mission Statement)

To me, MIEM is the bridge that is helping to carry my message to others around the country while I am able to stay in my classroom and do what I love to do most.Teach!They are helping me to accomplish my goal to reach as many educators as I can with this powerful, positive message of hope and encouragement when many told me it would be impossible if I chose to continue teaching full-time.

Luckily, Dan Pappas, the executive director of MIEM, happens to be the first principal that I worked for when I started teaching.Dan has always been someone that has encouraged me and believes in me.Dan knew the spot I was in and wanted to reach out and help.He figured out a way for me to stay in the classroom and continue to teach while providing me the vehicle to reach the masses with this message.

Thanks to Dan and MIEM, I feel I have found a way to do both.I do feel the need to thank two other people that made this project a reality.They are Debbie Kopkau (MIEM) and Diane Hoban (Hiring Solutions).This was truly a determined team!

6.) I am sure the kids nowadays don't come up to teachers and say "Thanks for believing in me." Should we be teaching them to express their appreciation for all they do?

I am embarrassed to say that I didn't do enough of that as a child growing up.I probably gave my teachers more headaches and gray hair than their well deserved appreciation. Yes, I love it when my students come up to me and thank me, but I also have learned that, like me, it may take a while for them to realize what impact I have had on them if any.I do encourage my students to thank many of the adults that work with them in our school.It is called manners and it will serve them well in their lives.

7.) How much does this downloadable program cost?Should teachers alert their building principals that they are watching and listening to it and thus engaging in professional development?

I want to stress that this presentation is FREE thanks to MIEM.Originally, they were going to charge a fee for the use of this video series to help recover their production costs in making this video.I went to them and told them I felt we couldn't charge for a message where I challenge the viewers to help spread this epidemic of hope and determination to other educators and then turn around and charge them for it!

MIEM agreed and decided that we would offer this to all educators as a gift with no hidden costs or obligations involved.However, we do hope people will help us spread this positive epidemic by sharing this video with as many educators as possible around the country.

I'm glad you mentioned something about this being used for professional development. What a great opportunity for districts to use this free resource with their staffs.Not only do they get it for free, but I am giving them more than ninety minutes they don't have to plan and pay someone else to deliver.

8.) Is this program geared more toward elementary or secondary teachers?

This message is geared for everyone involved in education.I have shared it with superintendents, bus drivers, lunch aids, elementary teachers, secretaries, para-professionals, principals, custodians, and high school teachers, school board members, and anyone else that may work in this noble profession.

It is a message of hope.It is a message of pride.It is a message to remind us of the importance of our work and how important it is for us all to work together to, not just get the work done, but to get the work done well!

9.) Tough question—Does your presentation address kids with exceptionalities or special needs?Is this a needed area of concern?

No it doesn't.I don't target any one group in this video.I try to deliver it with all groups in mind and hope that those working with specific groups will be able to use what I am talking about and gear it to work specifically with the people they work with.I hope people will take my ideas and adjust them when needed to make them work better in their classrooms, schools, districts, and communities.

10.) What question have I neglected to ask?

I would like to add that people can go to www.insidemieducation.com (starting 2/26/08) to hear a 10-15 minute pod cast interview between the show's host, Rob Huisingh, and myself talking about this free presentation offer to educators across the country.You can also email me at BillCecil@BestYearEver.net to ask me more specific questions.

Finally, I want to thank EducationNews.org for helping me to spread this positive epidemic.

Published February 26, 2008