Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Update

Since my last post got such a response (thank you for your advice and prayers), I thought I would update you. I wrote a note to Gav's teacher asking for her observations and her thoughts on what was going on. I have been in his class a few times and he does well. He has friends and adores his teacher; she is FABULOUS-which you will agree, too, if you read on. Anyway, I went to pick him up from school and she met me to talk with me. She said she noticed he looks down in the morning when he first gets there, but that once he's there he warms up, loves learning and is a darling boy to be around. She said she had him come talk to her, just one-on-one, and asked about his feelings of school. No big surprise-he likes school, but he would rather be at home with Mom and Gunner and Emme. He wishes he could just stay home and learn everything there. She asked him what his favorite part of school was (writing). She said they then came up with a game plan to make things better. She assigned him a daily job that only he can do. He is the Journal Cleaner-upper. (He was proud when he told me and had to describe how he wipes her writing off of the chart) Also, every day he and Mrs. Blake will have one-on-one writing time where he can practice sounding out words and writing them. (There is an in-class aide, so this is possible). I am so thankful for his teacher. She noticed his feelings, didn't brush them aside and has gone out of her way to make things better.

He still asked if it was Friday, still asked if it was his half-day and still made me count on the calendars to see when they would happen, but he didn't cling to my hand and there was no quivering lips (whew! I don't know how much more my heart could take-and if you don't know already, I'm not the too-soft-heart type. One might say I lean [probably not in a good way] too much to the other side--I have been called heartless by my oldest more times than I count).

Thanks again for your listening ear, shoulder to lean on and definitely great advice!

10 comments:

Grammy said...

I too am so grateful for this wonderful teacher. Our little Gavin only deserves the very best! I hope that this extra attention will ease his transition in to kindergarten. I know he will have some bad, hard days ahead but he is so blessed to love home and the people who reside there! I pray for you each day as you stive to make your home an outpost of Heaven! Most of all I love you!

Mamapierce said...

What a fabulous teacher he has! That's so wonderful. Thanks for sharing!

Charee B Mcclellan said...

This is great to hear! I am so happy for people like that in the world that make it so much easier. Way to go teacher of the year..and mother! You rock!

holyoak said...

Lib,

I am not sure I can say anything that will help. I didn't go to pre-K or kindergarten because my dad said it was a waste of time and that I would learn more on the ranch. I don't know if back then it was that much of a set back. I had to learn how to tie my shoes since I had only worn boots and we needed to have tennis shoes and know how to tie them. So that was my enterance exam! I didn't like going to school because dad was home in the mornings but gone to the ply-wood mill at nights making it so I didn't see him very much at all except on the weekends. No fun for sure, but I was ready to learn by then so I went to school. Sorry not much help. I'll give it some more thought.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that you were able to talk to his teacher and she was able to talk to Gavie, as well. It sure makes parenting easier when there are helpful hands and watchful eyes. I hope that things continue to improve. It breaks me heart thinking of his quivering lip and tight hand tolf before school. Poor little man! Tell him his Auntie loves him and so so proud of him. Hugs to you both!!

whitney said...

yay! yay! for a great teacher! Thank heavens for other people looking out for and caring for our children too. "It takes a village..." and all that. Tell him Auntie Whit is VERY impressed at his new uber-important status as the Journal Cleaner-upper. Huge (((hugs))) to the brave boy.

ps-I beg to differ on the heart type. You might be a stern mommy most of the time, but I still think you're a big ol' softy at heart.

Aubrey said...

Oh what a great teacher, I hope he continues to get great teachers like that through elementary school. I'm glad things are working out for you and so quickly too!

Unknown said...

Oh good news, I'm so glad to hear!

Andrea said...

So glad he has a wonderful teacher and hope things will even get better. Maybe he just needed someone else besides someone in the family to recognize his feelings to validate them. Sounds like his teacher did this. I love that she asked what he liked about school and then gave him a special job with that.
I have no advice for you as neither of my girls could have cared less to have me around, and I think that says a lot about the kind of mom you are. He wants to be with you every minute...very sweet, and I'm with your sister, you have a sweet heart of gold. Hope everything gets better.

mm said...

Hi Liberty, We still miss Gavin and know that he is super sweet. My kids hate school. Even Ari complains although I don't think she feels quite like he must. Its hard growing up and even harder to watch as Mom. Hope gets happier with it. Tell him Hi from Ari and I.
Maureen