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Teacher Chalks Up A Stylish Makeover

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 17, 2008

COUNTRYWAY - The casual cropped pants, conservative hair and baggy T-shirt were gone. In their place, Katie Bullock got a fluffier hairstyle, stylish outfit and a fresh look.

Bullock, a teacher at Lowry Elementary, was one of three Hillsborough County educators to win makeovers and school supplies from clothing manufacturer Jones New York. Dawn Firestine, who teaches third grade at Lopez Elementary, and Catherine Davis of Shaw Elementary joined her for shopping, hair, makeup and a photo shoot.

Jones New York in the Classroom has awarded the makeovers for the past four years. The Tampa-area teachers were among 21 in seven U.S. cities who got new looks last week.

Each teacher received $1,000 to spend on Jones New York clothes, a $500 gift card from Adopt-a-Classroom for supplies, Scholastic books for their classrooms and a $1,000 American Express gift card for their school's principal.

Parents, students and coworkers nominated teachers for the award. Bullock didn't know she had been nominated until she learned she won the makeover. A group of parents from her fifth-grade class last year had recommended her for recognition.

It started after school on Sept. 5. The teachers met stylists and Jones New York representatives at the WestShore Plaza Macy's, who directed them to the Jones New York section and told them to select some outfits.

Bullock, who lives in Odessa, said they tried on several combinations, getting feedback from stylists about what worked and what didn't. She wound up with outfits for school, a pair of jeans and a jacket.

Three days later, it was time for hair, makeup and nails. The teachers met at a studio in St. Petersburg and a team of people worked on their looks, brought them lunch and shot professional photos. Bullock had recently had her hair cut and highlighted, but the stylist perked it up with volumizing spray.

"Can I take you with me?" Bullock joked.

Although she is not one for attention - "my face gets beet red when anyone calls my name" - Bullock enjoyed the pampering and getting to know Davis and Firestine.

It's not over, either. She is wearing the new outfits to work and soon will pick out supplies for her class with the gift card.

A teacher for four years, Bullock inherited other teachers' used materials when she got her first class. She is looking forward to selecting her own books and manipulatives, such as games and activities. She plans to get more nonfiction books, because one of her goals is to encourage children to read more true stories.

The photos will appear in a Jones New York in the Classroom public service announcement in Real Simple magazine.

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503 or cpastor@ tampatrib.com.

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