first grade teachers. . .

last year at the beginning of first grade i was nervous. i had not heard anything much about the teachers that my boys were assigned for first grade. if anything i had heard how i had not gotten the most popular teachers. i had a slight panic attack and really was upset in the days just after getting the notices. but i sat on it. the more i waited the more it seemed to be o.k. i was stressed still but i figured that i would not have any trouble with their teachers unless the teachers had any trouble or issues with one of my children. i was willing to give them a chance. 

jack and morgan were in classrooms that were right next to each other. their teachers were sisters. they were not warm and fuzzy and never once had parents volunteer in the classroom except to go on the two field trips (which i was fortunate enough to be asked to go on both trips.) but somehow i was able to get to know these ladies a little over the last year. morgan's teacher was incredibly helpful with getting him over the first rough months of being separate from jack. she helped his self-confidence incredibly. she also really encouraged his artwork ability. jack's teacher gave him tons of leadership responsibilities and challenged him to do his very best work. each teacher ended up being just right for each boy for different reasons.

i was grateful in the end of the year to have had them as instructors for my children. no neither teacher held big class parties. no neither teacher is the social queen of the teacher's lounge (they don't even go to eat in there.) and no neither teacher asked for help in their classroom responsibilities. and you know what? i was great with that! i never worried that academics was their focus. i never worried that they would be able to get everything covered that they needed to know. i never worried that either boy was being bullied or picked on in class. their rooms were controlled environments and my children relished the structure. it ended up being a good first year of school. it wasn't all fun and games. they had to work hard. but each of my children were happy and came away with self-respect and confidence. thank goodness for good teachers who care for my children and help them be better little persons.

Comments

[katie s]

Oh boy, I'm not excited about separating my boys once we get to school! Did you have them together in kindergarten and then separate them for first grade? Ah! At least I have another year before we hit school so I can used to the idea...