One of my students came up to me yesterday in a purple, argyle-patterned sweater vest over a gray-woolen sweater. He was dressed for the Valentine’s Dance and he was considerably more dressed up than most. I could tell he was unsure about the new look.

“Do I look good, teacher?” he asked. His chubby, round face was hopeful, but apprehensive. He’s still waiting for the growth spurt that will come in the next few years. Some parent had definitely picked that argyle sweater combination.

“You look great!” I said and gave him a big grin. He grinned back.

I love to give positive reinforcement to the slightly unsteady and unsure students who wander the halls of my school.