Lesson from a Hairdresser

After going to the same hairstylist for years, I was ready for a change. Does this bring anxiety to you like it does to me? Why is it we feel a marriage-like commitment that requires creative breakup strategies with our hairstylists? To find a new one, I began asking anyone and everyone with a cute haircut where they got their hair done. My friend Michelle glowed when she talked about Dee Dee, to whom she has been going for years, so I decided to give Dee Dee a try.

As I sat in the adjustable chair with a black cape on, Dee Dee asked me to describe the last haircut I remembered loving. I didn’t have an answer. “Well,” she said, “that is going to be my job, then: to help match you with a haircut you’ll love, that fits your personality and lifestyle.” I ended up loving Dee Dee and my new haircut. 

As they often do, my thoughts drifted to school. Imagine saying to a student, “Tell me about the last book you loved.” What if they say, “I can’t remember”? We must be able to respond with “Well, then, it’s my job to introduce you to books you will love.” These not-yet book lovers should leave the conversation with a sense of hope, knowing that we care about them and their interests and abilities.

How can we be ready?

We must be voracious consumers of texts, immersing ourselves in books for the ages, levels, and interests of the students we teach. If we read with our students in mind, we will be ready to recommend books that will launch them into a lifelong love of reading.

If you don’t know where to start, here are some resources:

• The children’s librarian at the public library is always happy to share what’s hot and new.
• Your local bookstore can inform you of current trends among the ages of students you teach.
• Follow voracious readers on Goodreads such as John Schu, Donalyn Miller, Alyson Beecher, Franki Sibberson, and Colby Sharp. You can follow me too!
• Consider looking through your own classroom book tubs to get reacquainted with what you already have.

Regardless of how we do it, we need to do it. It’s the surest way we know of to guarantee that the children in our care will become lovers of reading and lifelong learners.