Amber Attwood

"Excuse the interruption. Ms Gro....h.....Umm, Ms G can you please call the office?" I'll never forget that one. This was when I was supply teaching at a school. After a little laugh, I picked up the school phone, dialed the office and the principal picked up. "Hi! It's Amber. I was called?" "Hi....ok, first thing....how do I say your last name?" And, appreciating the question, I proceeded to explain the way I always do.. "It's pronounced "gross"...like "eww, that's disgusting" (laughter) _ I've always enjoyed listening to people attempt to pronounce my last name. Mainly because, as people tend to admit, they are afraid to possibly offend me in some way by pronouncing it incorrectly...or correctly. So, I've used this way of telling others how to say it in a way that shows them clearly how to say it, and gives a little laugh so they don't feel like it's going to offend me in any way. ...

Everyone has something to share.  The other day, I was at a store buying new running shoes. I've been a runner for many years and have found "my" brand. So, buying shoes has become a simple routine: I go to the store, find the brand in my size, and off I go. Nothing new. But, this time, as I was lacing up the shoes, the sales associate introduced me to a new way of tying my shoes. A runner's knot. He tied one shoe that way and I tied the other my usual way. The way I always tied my shoes was just fine, but this new way was different. The shoe fit better and felt more secure on my foot. Had the sales associate not shared his knowledge, I never would have discovered the "runner's knot". Everyone has something to share. That means you too. When I look over this past year, I see the learning I have done and applied to my practice. From the hallway conversations, twitter exchanges & sit down chats, I've learned something new from so ma...