"The envelope, please�" "The DisneyHand Teacher of the Year Award goes to�� Jeff Thompson�" I sat stunned at the DisneyHand Teacher Awards Gala for several moments before the words actually registered. I made my way to the stage to receive a beautiful statue from none other than multi-platinum performing artist and former special education teacher Clay Aiken. I had been at Disneyland for several days getting to know the other DisneyHand Teacher Honorees and experiencing this "ultimate field trip." By the time we entered the gala, I was feeling fortunate simply to be in the company of the 38 other incredible educators who, like me, were chosen from150,000 nominees - an overwhelming feeling. I am just so thankful for this unique opportunity, the friendships and for professional development and collaboration� six months later this feeling remains. "The ultimate E-ticket Ride" How has my life changed since being chosen the Outstanding Elementary Teacher and 2004 DisneyHand Teacher of the Year? It has been the ultimate "e-ticket ride." I had the opportunity to fly to New York City to be on the Tony Danza Show. I've been asked to write for professional journals and give keynote addresses on various education topics. I also have the honor of being able to sit on the national selection board for the 2005 DisneyHand Teacher Awards. The management and Cast Members from Disney have extended every courtesy to the other Honorees and to me. We've been treated like VIP's everywhere we have traveled. "District Support" The Clover Park School District where I teach rallied the community to help celebrate my achievement. I returned to find local businesses with messages of congratulations posted on their buildings. Even the local McDonald's joined in the celebration by placing the announcement of my award in the bag of each drive-through meal. The district and local teacher union honored my students, parents and me at a wonderful reception. And, one particular highlight was being able to invite my students and their parents to help me open the Disney On Ice Monsters, Inc. show. I was able to honor and dedicate the performance to the "stars" of my class and their parents One of my parents had returned the night before from a year-long deployment in Iraq and was thrilled to be treated to this special evening with his son. "Duty Calls" Being back in the classroom is a great equalizer. While many of my kindergarten students have "seen me on television," they are most impressed that my new best friend is Mickey Mouse. Most of the students at my school have a parent deployed in Iraq, so I can't rest on my laurels as I have an important job to do in support of these special families. The recent attacks at Mosul hit the Fort Lewis community very hard and stress levels are at an all time high. More than ever, I realize I teach exactly where I am needed. In spite of tough times, each day we are slowly transforming our school into our own "Disneyland" where dreams really do come true. We are currently implementing DisneyHand's Reading Together program, designed to help parents read to their kids in engaging and effective ways, to keep our students and families focused on their education. "Professional Development" The DisneyHand Teacher Awards are much more than recognition of achievement in education. The best gift for being a DisneyHand Teacher Honoree is the professional development programs offered to us. I was so inspired by the professional development provided last fall that I've begun work to become a certified Critical Friends Group coach in order to help teachers become collaborators and look critically at the way we deliver instruction to our students. What a blessing to use the knowledge I've gained to positively impact the teaching profession. The DisneyHand Teacher Awards is more than an award, it's a commitment from Disney to support education and help honorees share their innovative and creative practices with others. Walt Disney once stated, "Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children." As someone who has the distinct honor and privilege of working with children, being chosen the 2004 DisneyHand Teacher of the year was beyond the dreams I had dreamed. Now I'm a true believer in "Disney Magic," because sometimes "when you wish upon a star your dreams do come true." Look for future columns from Jeff on teaching, parenting, and his partnership with DisneyHand and Reading Together Reading Zone Challenge. Until next time,