 Just a little over 30 years ago There was a little girl who would come bounding off a school bus every day She would run up to her room Take all of her dolls and stuffed animals line them up alphabetically on her bed and Teach to them because she wanted to be like her teachers And her dream was to become a teacher Thirty years later I'm standing in front of all of you today Fulfilling my dream because I Truly believe that being a teacher is the absolute best job in the entire And I could never have done any of this without the unconditional undying Love and support from my parents They truly gave me the roots and the foundations and my love for education and while they firmly planted me my Family and my husband my boys gave me my wings and I am truly Couldn't even say how grateful I am to my husband Mike and my three beautiful Boys Michael Joseph and Ryan. I Think Ryan is still awake and along my my journey the teachers That have not only inspired me in my past But the teachers who are with me now in my present and The teachers who I hope to inspire one day are truly the reasons why I teach And I would like to thank all of the sponsors for this wonderful award because it's not just for me It's for every single teacher in our nation Thank you to the NEA member benefits. Thank you to the NEA foundation for it is smart technologies because they have totally transformed my classroom and To all the other sponsors for tonight's evening and a special huge Trinormous, thank you to the New Jersey Education Association Who are not only tirelessly advocating for teachers in our state? But they are giving our students a better education and thank you. I thank you for that Thank you so much for this award and thank you to all of our wonderful educators that are here today You are truly all an inspiration to me. Thank you