The Manely Firm, P.C. - October 2022

I t ’ s W orld T eachers ’ D ay ! 3 WAYS TO SHOW GRATITUDE Donate unused notebooks, pencils, pens, or other school supplies to a teacher. Some teachers even have wish lists available if you want to purchase new items for their classrooms. They will appreciate your kindness, and the children who need these supplies will also be grateful. WRITE THANK-YOU LETTERS. If you had a teacher who impacted your life, or if your child has a favorite teacher, write them a thank-you note. Handwritten notes are more meaningful than ones you buy at the store. It shows you put in time and effort to create something specifically for them. You can write about a favorite memory you had with them or the ways they’ve inspired you. If you’re feeling extra generous, add a gift card to the note! A small message can go a long way in turning someone’s day around. VOLUNTEER WHEN YOU CAN. In addition to teaching in the classroom, teachers need to chaperone students during field trips, recess, lunch, and standardized tests. Contact your child’s school and see when they need volunteers to help with these activities. Teachers will greatly appreciate it because they will have a chance to take a break or organize their materials for the next class. Even if it’s just for the day or a few hours, teachers will appreciate the extra assistance. Teachers play a vital role in preparing our children for the real world. They teach them vital social skills and problem-solving strategies that will assist them as they age. So, let’s take some time to show appreciation for their dedication to our children.

Teachers have impacted you and your children’s lives in more ways than one. Maybe they inspired you to take a certain career path, always understood you, or were there for you or your child when it was needed. Teachers have a demanding job, so in honor of World Teachers’ Day on Oct. 5, let’s take some time to appreciate them. Here are three ways to show your gratitude this month. DONATE SCHOOL SUPPLIES. Some teachers spend personal funds to purchase school supplies for their classrooms. This expense can become costly, especially if they provide for multiple students.

F rom L aw to D ogs — A nd B ack A gain MEET STEPHANIE SOTIROS

Client care coordinator Stephanie Sotiros did not take a linear path to The Manely Firm, which she joined at the beginning of 2021. She attended law school in Wisconsin and started her career at a bank doing contract work. It wasn’t her cup of tea, so she left to enter the pet product industry as a sales and marketing director for many years. Later, Stephanie opened a dog bakery and boutique with storefronts in Wisconsin and Tennessee. “I created 92 different kinds of dog cookies, and I also baked cookies for people. I got up at 2 a.m. with a smile on my face and baked, and we built everything from the ground up with our own fixtures and my mom’s oil paintings on the wall.” Sadly, after 15 years, she closed the business to care for her ailing mother. Since Stephanie always wanted to live in Savannah, she was excited to find the opportunity at The Manely Firm. “In almost every position I’ve worked in in the past, I was the leader,” she says. “I’m not [a leader] here, but I really enjoy the team Shelia and Michael built, and it feels like everyone is working together.”

Stephanie is the first person potential clients meet. “I talk to them about what’s going on in their lives and discuss their legal issues, then I help them connect with one of our amazing attorneys for a strategy session,” she says. “I love helping people work toward a better future. As that first point of contact, I’m someone to talk to. Everything they say is confidential, and they can express to me what they’re really feeling.” It’s probably unsurprising to hear that Stephanie loves dogs. “I’ve raised, shown, and bred dogs, and I once had the No. 1 dog in the country,” she says. “I got my first dog when I was 5. My parents had a choice: either take the puppy home or leave me at the breeder’s.” Her mother passed away a couple of years ago, but she remains a caretaker for her father. She also loves celebrating her 100% Greek heritage, cooking, and watching sports on television. “I never had any intention of going back to the legal field,” Stephanie says. “But I love the talent and transparency at The Manely Firm and how they help people. That’s what brought me back — and I’m enjoying it one thousand percent more than the first time around.”

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