Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/859531
MAGGIE PAT Valley of the Moon Teachers Association This fourth-grade teacher at Sassarini Elementary School in Sonoma is beginning her 12th year in the classroom. Working full time and caring for two small children is a juggling act most mornings with "getting the kids ready, throwing on clothes, grabbing coffee and running out the door." CARL A ACCET TOL A Fairfield-Suisun Unified Teachers Association Accettola has been teaching 14 years, most recently as a special education math teacher at Crystal Middle School. At 40 she has one gray hair, which she can find without looking in a mirror and calls "a badge of honor." She was nervous about a makeover, even though her motto is: "I'm a middle school teacher; nothing scares me." Her "before" look "I've had the same haircut most of my life. But I'm ready for a change, because I have been through some life changes. My son was diagnosed with mild to moderate autism two years ago. I got divorced. And I completed my special education classes. Nobody wants to look like Viola Swamp or the 'old' teacher they had in school." Her "after" look She is lucky to have dramatic eyebrows, which are the rage. But they needed definition, so they were waxed and plucked a bit. Her long hair was cut to shoulder length and layered to allow her natural curls to frame her face for a softer look. A side part accentuates her cheekbones, and a plum shade of lipstick highlights her full lips. "I feel a little overwhelmed. It's different, but I like it a lot. I'm taking it all in." Her "before" look "Since children, I've had the functional mom/teacher look with short hair and very little makeup. I wanted a new look that would be fun but professional, easy to maintain, and also inspire confidence. I want something to help me maintain my youth at 34 without making me look like I'm trying to be younger than I am." Her "after" look Pat surprised herself by picking peekaboo purple highlights. With makeup to accent her cheeks, lips and brows, the look is both classic and classy. "It's awesome, I love it a lot. The colors are subtle, but they pop." Maggie Pat gets the full-on treatment from Cheryl McDonald, Christina Olton and Sierra Anderson. 50 cta.org Back to School L I F E H A C K S B E F O RE