the gift

Tommy Hilfiger chambray shirtdress, Macy's

belt, Old Navy

Cejon scarf, Ross

     I wore this outfit on Monday. I happened to walk by the vice principal in the hallway, and she said, "I appreciate that you are always dressed so professionally." I mentioned that being dressed a certain way helps me to feel more confident in the classroom, and she agreed.
    It's hard to find words for how pleased I was to hear this! I am a quiet and rather awkwardly shy person (explains the online verbosity, right? ;)). Over the past few years, I've experienced the satisfaction of starting to create and purposefully wield a personal style that can give people a hint of who I am and the pride I take in my profession. I'm still basking in this comment, and it was a potent reminder of what a powerful gift we can give to others when we take a moment to notice something about them - and to express our appreciation.

  
     Another gift I received recently is that, thanks to a comment on Gracey's giveaway post, Blue Nile asked whether I'd be interested in doing a holiday giveaway. I hope to get the giveaway up and running next week! Next week will be a crazy one at school, though ... as my colleague so aptly puts it, the kids will be "googly-eyed" with holiday excitement and last-week-of-school-before-winter-break giddiness. Time to break out the pile of read-alouds, fun activities, and learning games and shelve the two-column notes and introduction of any new concepts ...