Share the Love

2 days ago, I spoke with a parent, via phone, about our library pumpkin contest (more on that this weekend!).  Before she hung up, she said, "My husband and I just want you to know that you are the reason our son likes to read.  He always comes home excited about books you have talked about or read."  It made me feel AWESOME, AMAZING, SPECTACULAR!  And, on a day when I was a bit stressed out in libraryland, it was perfectly timed.  Had she not had a question about the pumpkin contest, I probably would have never heard such a lovely thing.  We all need those attaboys and attagirls once in a while.

Yesterday one of the resource teachers in the Office of Digital Learning (ODL) sent out an email about the Letters About Literature Contest.  I flagged it to look at later and determine how to get my students involved in some way.

Last night I finally had a minute to read the whole email.  Buried within the text was this bullet:
·         Christine Sarbanes Award Nomination information. The award is open to those whose students participate in LAL. Educators cannot self-nominate, but a principal or a colleague can do so: http://bit.ly/1M6Sp7u

I've been privileged this past year to attend more professional conferences than ever - both physically and virtually.  As I read about the presenters, I am always impressed by their list of credentials and awards.  They are amazing individuals.

Today I am heading off to one of my favorite places, Professional Development, with some of my favorite people, fellow librarians in BCPS, and I know that sitting next to me in one of those meetings is some one just as amazing and awesome.  I know that sitting in my faculty room back at school is someone just as amazing an awesome.  The only difference is that somebody somewhere took the time to nominate them for that award, accolade, acknowledgement. That's a big deal!

 It takes time and effort to think highly enough of someone's abilities to want to share their wonderfulness with others.  We are all busy and we all have very full plates.  We all have the same 24 hours in a day that we have to balance with family, work and self.  But what if we took just a few minutes and sent an email, dropped a note or nominated a colleague for an honor?  How incredible would they feel to be acknowledged - even if they don't win?  How incredible would YOU feel knowing you made someone's day?

Share the love!