Relax, Relate, Release: D.C. Teacher Is Praised After Treating Young Students to a Self-Care Day
ByTanasia Kenney
A Washington, D.C., teacher is being praised after going above and beyond for his students this holiday season with an event that left the youngsters beaming with confidence and pride.
As part of his “Holiday Hookup,” educator Azel “Zel” Prather Jr. treated 40 kindergartners at his KIPP DC Arts and Technology Academy school to a special day of self-care on Dec. 18, Because of Them We Can reported. Prather, a well-connected influencer in the nation’s capital, pooled his resources and tapped into his network of local business owners, which included barbers and hair stylists to manicurists and other community volunteers.
“Students have to know someone who looks like them and talks like them, and cares about them, inside and out of the classroom,” he told the outlet. “I believe if you look good, you feel good and if you feel good, you do good. I just want them to feel good for the holidays.”
Volunteers were equipped with all that they needed to give the students a makeover: fingernail polish, hair bows, edge control, combs, brushes and the like. There was even someone to braid the kids’ hair if they wanted.
The event had a visible impact on the little ones, who were seen cheesing and showing off their hair and fingernails in photos and video posted by Prather.
