Shining Eyes

This week at choir practice, our director (shout out to Jim Edgeton... I LOVE singing in his choir... great teacher, great conductor, great friend) recommended a TED talk by Benjamin Zander on the transformative qualities of classical music.

It's wonderful (I even showed it today in class for Deep Thinking Friday), but I think it's about so much more than classical music.  It's about life.  The end of the talk discusses leadership and the power we have to inspire others.  Zander mentions two of the things I have posted on the wall behind my desk.  I've had them up for years... at least 10, I think.  "Who am I being that their eyes aren't shining?"  and "... never say anything that couldn't stand as the last thing I ever say." I need to do a better job of living by them. What a good reminder.

The bottom Dove wrapper basically sums up what it's like to be a middle school teacher.  It could be my middle school teaching motto.

And, speaking of Deep Thinking Friday, check out the shirt my wonderful husband had made for me!  It's my favorite Christmas present from this year!

Have a good weekend, world.  Make someone else's eyes shine.

Iowa Caucus, 2020

I know the Iowa Caucus is the current butt of national jokes and fodder for Trump's tweets, but I had a great experience last night.  I love the process.  The work in my Ward went smoothly.  I caucused first for Amy Klobuchar.  She ended up not being viable in my Ward, so I switched to my second choice, Elizabeth Warren.  It's been a privilege to see all the candidates in or close to my hometown.  I applaud and appreciate the work of everyone across the state who made the night exciting and educational.  I'm sorry that disappointing technology has tainted the process in the eyes of the U.S.  I hope that Iowa always keeps the "First in the Nation" Caucus, but if this was the last of the first, as some people have predicted, I choose to be thankful for the experience.  And, in case anyone was wondering, my Ward's delegates ended up being 4 for Bernie Sanders, 3 for Elizabeth Warren, and 2 for Joe Biden.  We'll see how that compares to the rest of the state later today.