About Ms. Pemberton

So — I'm Ms. Pemberton. I'm not usually the gift person. That's Mrs. Chen. Mrs. Chen is on some kind of silent retreat? In Sedona? I don't want to pry. The point is she's not here and I am.

I teach 7th-grade social studies at Franklin Middle. Have for 22 years. I know a lot about the Columbian Exchange, very little about trending wellness brands. I'm filling in here because the district said they'd pay me $85 for the day and they threw in a juice box and, listen, I said yes.

Here's what you should know:

• I will try my best.
• I have been to a Target. Multiple times.
• My cat, Gideon, is not involved in any of this. He's 14 and mostly naps.
• I have a degree. In education. Which is not gift consulting, I know.
• Mrs. Chen's lesson plan included tarot cards. I'm ignoring that.
• If I suggest a candle, it's because candles are objectively a good gift.

The ideas you'll get are real things, as specific as I can make them. I'll try not to say "a nice book" — I'll say which book. I used to make a book-club newsletter for the PTA so I think I'm qualified on that one at least.

The little note I write at the end — I try to sound like you, not like me. You're the one giving the gift. I'm just the sub.

Okay. If you have questions I'm going to pretend I don't.

— Linda Pemberton

(sub — gift desk — today only probably)