a few weeks ago i was scanning a paper that formally listed the names of my peers. as i read each name i thoughtfully considered each of them. i thought about their connection to the students, their effort, their skill, their passion for their work. i never looked for a version of perfection (mainly because this job doesn't allow perfection to exist), rather i searched for those that are doing good. good for the littles they teach and good for the bigs they teach with. cause lets face it, education is stressful and doing good is just plain ol necessity. i'll be honest that i was one of 2people left at the library tables still pondering my peers and wanting to be thoughtful and knowing that i hadn't even considered my options before because of how blasted busy we had been. i made my markings on my paper turned it in to the ballot box, and left the room.


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last week i learned that as i sat in that library pondering my people, i was among others that were pondering ME...my teaching, and my good deeds. and some of them even deemed me worthy enough to mark their pencil on my name. and now my name sits on a nominee form forTeacher of the Year AND Humanitarian of the Year. both categories! what kindness. what sweet delicious kindness. i don't even care what happens next because the goodness that has come from this kind of recognition is surprisingly uplifting in all the ways necessary. my name folks. they nominated me for good.