It’s early afternoon on a mid-August day as Rachel Murat readies her classroom for year 29. The 2020 New York State Teacher of the Year looks down at her smartwatch to see a number that would satisfy most athletes at the end of a long day. 19,000 steps. It’s just past 1 P.M. and her day is far from over. For Murat, who lives and bleeds education, this is nothing out of the ordinary. Her dedication to learning, both for her and her students is what keeps her going each day.
But it wasn’t always that way. Two decades ago, considering a possible career change, she felt like she may have lost her love for teaching. Then, after doing a bit of soul searching over spring break, she was asked to attend a conference in Syracuse. It was then when Murat had a realization. The reason that she felt like she needed a career change wasn’t because she fell out of teaching; it was instead because she stopped her own learning.
“As a teacher, it’s very easy to just focus on the kids learning, because that’s what you’re there for. I realized I needed to nurture that part of me,” said Murat.
Fast forward 10 years later, and Mrs. Murat has been to more than 70 Ed camps and now attends conferences all over the U.S. This dedication to enriching her own education is just as much for her, as it is her students. It’s a mission that many of our teachers share; using the summer, not just as a time for much needed vacation, but also as a time to build up their skills.
“I just feel like I am a more authentic preacher of how important it is to learn when I am getting my own learn on,” said Murat.
This past summer, Murat attended the White House History Teacher Institute, an AI Symposium hosted by AFT and Microsoft in Chicago, and several local meetings with the Chamber of Commerce. Even during the school year, she’s always seeking out webinars, podcasts, and school-related learning on social media.
“I just feel like it’s really important for me to continue learning, so that A., I can stay fresh, because things change pretty quickly these days, and then also so that the kids can see that I get excited about learning,” said Murat.
The veteran teacher also helps run “Broome Women Lead,” a program that brings female students together with women-lead businesses and other prominent female figures from our community. The group met over the summer to discuss a variety of topics.
We are so lucky to have teachers like Mrs. Murat, who prove learning doesn’t stop when you become a teacher. If anything, it begins.