The All-Star Experience - Day 2

For the previous post about my first day in Minneapolis, click here.

Monday

My training plan called for four slow and easy miles Monday. After all the walking Sunday, I was excited to put on comfortable shoes and explore the city a bit. David, the Marlins teacher, had told me about the Minneapolis Statue Gardens, so I decided to run there and check out the park. After I finished there, I looped back and finished the run on Nicollet Mall.

I knew I'd reached the Statue Gardens when I saw this giant spoon!

The morning was perfectly cool and sunny. The second coming of the Polar Vortex had promised cold weather, and I was happy to take advantage of it. My legs were tired and heavy from Sunday's travel and activities, but I still finished with a faster pace than designated on the plan.

I loved this installation...the mirrors make you look like a ghost!

After my run, Matt and I walked to the Hilton for the All Star Brunch. I was wearing my "business casual" clothes for the day, but since my run a strong wind had paired itself with the low 60s I had been enjoying earlier. I was freezing! Still, sometimes we have to sacrifice comfort for fashion, especially when we might be on TV.

The yogurt bar was seriously amazing!

Look closely and you may spot Jim Kaat over my shoulder!

After brunch, I abandoned Matt and met the other All Stars. We were ushered into the conference room and led to the very front two rows of seats for the All Star Game press conference! We immediately began taking photos of the podium. No shame here - when's the next time I'll have priority over reporters at this kind of event?!

Me, Gina, Liz, and Brenda.

A little perspective...yes, we were literally in the front row!

Who said the Rays and Red Sox have to hate each other all the time?!

Unashamed-podium-selfie.

When the conference began, we were on our best behavior...which was good, because we were about three feet from some very important people in sports.

Felix Hernandez and his adorable son; John Farrell; Jackie Autry; Brian Kenny; Bill Giles; and Mike Wainwright.

After the conference, we had a bit of a photo shoot and then went over the logistics of the game and our time on the field. Then we had a short break, during which I found Matt and we had lunch.

Willy, Rolland, Paul, me, and Tom: the AL East!

Some friendly rivalry: the AL on the left, the NL on the right.

As an original Clevelander, I immediately liked Jacqui for her taste in teams!

That afternoon, we headed over to Target Center for a service event. We helped fill backpacks for students in need; Target provided 10,000 and we helped with the last batch! It was really meaningful to have a hand in that, especially seeing all these other volunteers who were giving their time to ensure that children don't have to start the school year unprepared.

Filling backpacks with the Royal's mascot Sluggerrrr.

 From the service event we went straight to Target Field for the Home Run Derby. This was the first we had seen of the suite we would be in...and it was spectacular. Not only was the view great, but more importantly there were heaters overhead. It rained and got into the 50s that night, so those heaters were greatly appreciated!

Arriving at the field in our personal bus!

Our view.

Not only we were served amazing food, but there was a dessert cart that must have been beamed from heaven.

I indulged in a little frosting before the real desserts showed up.

Holy deliciousness.

The derby was a lot of fun to watch, and afterward we trooped over to the gala to watch Aloe Blacc preform while eating more delicious food and walking around the Mill City Ruins.

Aloe Blacc himself!

By the time we got to bed, it was after 1am, and my day was set to start at 7:30. Stay tuned for the last segment, in which I discover what it's like to look directly into Derek Jeter's baby blues.

Obviously I'm not an even bigger Target fan than ever before. Why do you love Target?

Did you watch the Home Run Derby?

Have you ever attended a press conference?

ABK

The All-Star Teacher Experience - Day 1

Before I even begin with the pictures and everything, I need to attempt to express my gratitude. I spent all three days in Minneapolis telling those who made this happen - the coordinators from MLB, Target, and People Magazine - that teachers rarely receive so much praise and it's truly humbling. But many professions receive little praise. When's the last time you heaped accolades on your local grocery store's manager, or on your teller at the bank? Why are teachers any different?

It struck me as we were flying home. Put aside what teachers do, the hours we put in, and the emotional weight of this career. The real truth is that teachers are used to hearing the opposite of praise. We are used to receiving blame. We are used to disrespect. We are used to being treated like pawns instead of professionals. We may experience fair treatment from our colleagues and administrators (I know I do), but the general public and politicians tend to look down on teachers.

On this trip, I was treated like a professional. I was treated like I was worthy of the all-star treatment I was receiving. It was moving beyond words. I was constantly on the verge of tears; my emotions were constantly bubbling just beneath the surface. I made sure to snap a few photos of each big event and then stow my phone because I wanted to be as present as possible. (Matt was amazing about taking photos so I could just enjoy myself.) I wanted to just soak it in. Because on the hard days this year when I'm being questioned or treated like my job isn't important, I want to be able to draw on these memories and know that some very important people out there respect and admire teachers. That we are not in this alone.

We make a difference. And every teacher deserves this kind of praise, attention, and kindness. So before I even begin what promises to be an extremely long post, I need to shout out to my fellow teachers whose blogs I follow: Rachel, Heather G., Meg, Heather, and Cori. I thought of you all constantly this weekend, along with my amazing and talented colleagues and teacher friends. You all deserve an experience that makes you feel important for doing the work that you do.

***

Sunday

Travel made easy. A car service picked Matt and me up early in the morning and whisked us to the airport; another driver met us in Minneapolis a few hours later to drive us to the hotel. 

The first of many times when I would unashamedly gawk in public. I felt so out of my element.

Check-in was the first time it hit me that this trip was going to be way bigger than I had imagined. The young women from MLB and People who were in charge of the show handed me a box filled with the tickets for the Home Run Derby, the All Star Game, and other events, along with a backpack full of goodies and a stipend.

Tickets inside!

Never before has saying, "I'm one of the teachers" opened so many doors!

In that moment, I had already received more than I had expected in the way of gifts. I mean, I knew I was attending the game, but somehow it hadn't occurred to me that there would be other perks included...I'm not really used to being showered with gifts.

Matt and I had some time before our official welcome, so we went to FanFest. It was fun to tour the convention center and see the trophy room; by the end though, my feet did that weird crampy thing where they turn into claws, and we had to go.

Thinking deeply while waiting in line.

Us with the World Serious Trophy.

The actual women who inspired A League of Their Own!

Back at the room, Matt got me a bucket of ice and I soaked my feet. It was the best thing I could have done, because just a couple hours later I was in heels and ready for the reception.

We met in the lobby and "mingled". (Meaning I stuck to Matt like glue and awkwardly smiled at people because I have no people skills. Luckily, everyone was so friendly and, like runners, teachers have a tendency to bond and become friends very quickly.) Then we walked to the Target Headquarters for our reception.

If you haven't yet, I strongly urge you to visit www.allstarteachers.com and read the bios for the other teachers. They are AMAZING people and there was a wonderful mix of teachers from every grade level and every subject area.

The sight that greeted me was the second time I realized that winning this title was a huge deal. The pendants for each team hung on red lockers; our photos and bios hung beside them. Tables of wrapped iPad Minis and lovely blue Tiffany boxes stood to the side. 

The crystal stars we received.

I swore I'd never have an iPad. Thanks, Target, for making a liar of me! (I'm happy to be one in this case haha!)

The room was filled with music from a string quartet and we drifted toward a beautifully laid table filled with all kinds of tidbits.

Florida teachers with one of our amazing Target representatives!

Bullseye is seriously the most perfectly trained dog I have ever encountered.

Here, I finally broke the ice. The thirty of us congratulated each other and I soon realized there were other Florida teachers there. Bullseye the Target dog posed with us; then Cal Ripken Jr. showed up.

All 30 of us with Cal and Bullseye!

This interactive map showed all the teams, and when you clicked on their logo it showed all three finalists. You could read the bio for each one. I quickly found myself!

Target has a goal to raise $1 billion for education by the end of 2015. These giant baseballs are signed by students whose libraries have been made over by Target.

Around this time, speeches began. A representative from each company (MLB, Target, and People) spoke, and each speech left me near tears. They spoke about teachers they remembered who changed their lives; they told us we weren't lucky, that we deserved to be here, and that they had such admiration and respect for us. Cal Ripken was the last to speak on teachers and coaches and how much we impact and change the lives of children.

This man needs no introduction...he is, after all, the original Iron Man!

We finished the night with perfectly sized root beer floats.

After spending some more time meeting everyone and taking photos with Cal (yes, we're on a first name basis now, of course), we walked back to the hotel for some much needed rest. 

If the trip had ended there, it would have been enough. But it was only the first day; we had two more days of surprises in store!

I've decided to cut the post into sections because OMG this is getting long-winded.

Who is a teacher you will always remember...in a good way?

Do you stay in touch with your old teachers?

ABK

All Star Treatment Teaser

I'm nowhere near ready to write a real post on it, and the game itself hasn't happened yet...but I am seriously having the time of my life and I had to give you a taste of the excitement. I feel so appreciated as a professional. This trip is beyond words!

Yes, that's us with Cal Ripken, Jr.!

Today the amazing honor culminates as the 30 of us are honored on the field pre-game. So tune into ESPN or MLB network for the All Star pre-game show to catch a glimpse. I'll be the one crying and trying not to fidget!

I can't wait to fill you all in on everything that has happened. Until then, THANK YOU if you helped me get here by voting!

ABK