cc licensed flickr photo shared by adpowers
On Wednesday night, our school hosted a Christmas concert. Many students were very excited, and some MORE than others. One of the students needed a little more “guidance” that night, and so as the principal, I decided to do the only thing to calm him down. Make him wear a tie.
I took the student to my office before the play started, and I pulled out one of my old ties that was given to me as a gift. As a principal that ALWAYS wears a tie, I have received many of the novelty Halloween and Christmas ties that I wear once, and have a hard time wearing again. Although they are greatly appreciated, it is hard matching Santa Claus and reindeer to my outfits. I always have a stack of these ties for students as they absolutely love them. As I took a Halloween tie, that felt like it was made out of tissue paper, I tied it on the student. The look in his eye was priceless.
I knew that this was not only a tie for this student, but it was probably his first tie ever. Him and I now matched, and all of a sudden, dressing up, calmed him down. He was so proud of his new accessory that his posture immediately improved and he now seemed to “strut” around the school. He looked sharp with his $1.99 tie.
The next day (Thursday), I saw the same student at school. He was still wearing the tie. I complimented him on how sharp he looked and how things change when you dress up. Although the night before he was watching, tonight he was performing. I have never seen him look so confident. This gift I had given him was something that was extremely special and meaningful to him. It was like looking at a new student. I almost started in tears during the Christmas concert because I had never seen him look so proud.
The littlest things from a teacher, can make a child’s day, week, or be a moment that they never forget. What seems like a little thing to you, may be the BIGGEST thing to them. This was another reminder of that and it was an extremely meaningful experience to myself.
Today is Friday. He is still wearing his tie 🙂
