The way business should be done.

More about the pencil sharpener.

This morning I announced to my fellow colleagues that before school started, I would be demonstrating my SPECTACULAR new pencil sharpener that a TEACHER created and sells. "Bring your dullest pencil!" I summoned.

They came and watched (riveted I might add) as each dull pencil became as long and sharp as an awl.

Ooooo. Aaaahh.

My Principal came in and was clearly wow'd. She said, "send the info to the secretary and let's put in an order for 36 today." She NEVER jumps on stuff like this. We only have 10 classrooms at our school, so 36 is awesome for us! She even asked to bring it to "team" tomorrow which is when the district principals and central office administration meet.

I know a pencil sharpener seems benign, well maybe not to teachers. Maybe I'm preaching to the choir. But, ooo la la, my pencils today were sharper than sharp. The kids each got two this morning and NO ONE, I mean not one single child asked me to sharpen after that. I think I gained nearly 75 extra minutes back in my life.

So, thank you Troy Decoff, owner founder and seller of The Perfect Pencil Sharpener. Thank you so very much and I really hope my district buys more because this is exactly how business in America should be done.

PS Is there a child labor law against rewarding my more challenging children who complete their work with the job of sharpening pencils? They loved it and could have done it all day. Focus is clearly NOT their challenge when motivated.