One Amazing Day!

When I started this blog about 10 months ago, I did so as a way to keep myself focused on the good stuff about public education - because I know there is LOTS of good stuff out there, despite the unfortunate public perception lately. During my blog growth, I found exactly what I was looking for. A network of teachers who give 110% to their students every single day, even in the face of slashed budgets, furlough days, increased demands and less time to complete them.

An unexpected benefit of this blog was "meeting" some other incredible educators who don't necessarily stand in front of a classroom full of students every day, but still touch and enrich the lives of children every day. This is the case with someone I am now proud to call my friend - Mrs. Debbie Clement. I actually met Debbie through Teaching Blog Traffic School course, which has been simply amazing for networking!

Debbie is a children's book author and singer/songwriter. She also hosts a blog called Rainbows Within Reach. I met Debbie through some networking and her enthusiasm was instantly evident and contagious. Through a remarkable twist of fate, we realized that she was going to be staying just 10 minutes from my school this month. After some emailing and discussion with my principal it was all set. Debbie was coming to my school!

Me, Debbie and Caitlin from Kindergarten Smiles

Friends, I can not even begin to tell you how incredible the day was. I was lucky enough to be an acting administrator the day she was with us, so I spent most of the day with her in the library ushering in the classes and making sure she had what she needed. Every single teacher who came with their class was smiling, clapping, singing along and telling me how incredible Debbie was. The buzz on the playground was also incredibly positive and you know that that means everything! I mean look at these pictures!

Debbie touched the lives of over 500 children during her visit. We sang, we danced, we learned sign language. The kids responded to her instantly and watched her intently. Be sure to read about this special moment {HERE} on Debbie's blog. This little one was so attached to Debbie that she was sobbing when it was time to leave!

Teacher after teacher would ask, "Where does she get her energy?" I don't know, but I wish I did!

The children below are holding Debbie's beautiful quilts that became the illustrations for her books. As much as the kids were fascinated by them, the adults couldn't stop talking about the detail in each one.

See the giraffe behind Debbie and the kids? Well, it seems he went unnoticed until Debbie became one herself to sing Tall Giraffe (which I'm still singing to myself, by the way). Debbie was so great with her impromptu responses to the kids. She told them, "He must have come here because they heard all of your beautiful singing!" And I'm pretty sure they believed her!

Debbie's books come with CD's that bring them to life with beautiful music. Be sure to see Red, White and Blue written just after 9/11. My favorite has to be Tall Giraffe, the subtle African melodies won me over. If you're looking for a song to sing for a parent event or Kindergarten graduation, don't miss You're Wonderful. Click {HERE} to see her books. Debbie has generously offered a 15% discount to my blog readers! Just enter promo code SunnyD at checkout.


Although Debbie was with us for just one day, the memories will last a lifetime.
Thank you, Debbie - so very, very much!


PS I just linked up to send some love to Joplin, MO! Check it out and consider joining in :)