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.