Meet the teacher

Third grade is an important grade for a child. It is a TAKS testing grade in Texas as well as a transitional grade. What I mean by that is the children are growing up. They are no longer babies in the school sense and are expected to be more responsible. They are also expected to learn at a quicker and more effective pace. 

Last night was meet the teacher night at Austin's elementary school. My parents were kind enough to watch Addy and Austin while Jen and I headed up to the school. We arrived to find actual parking spaces in the parking lot. Which is amazing, his school has a horrible parking problem. There were about 100 other parents waiting outside the front of the school doors to enter the building. There was also a Galveston county sheriff's deputy outside monitoring the parking situation, just in case someone parked in the fire lane. While we waited to enter the school, we talked to other parents that we have met through school or little league. The assistant principal unlocked and opened the front doors and we were herded into the building like cattle. It felt like we were flying Southwest Airlines. We made it to the correct third grade classroom and were greeted by the very cheerful Mrs. Collins. She instructed us to find our child's desk and to sit down. Thank goodness Austin is not in kindergarden, because those chairs are tiny. 

Mrs. Collins asked the parents to write a note to their child and to hide it in their desk. Of course, Jen took care of that for us. Her handwriting is perfect and she could write cards for Hallmark if she wanted. Then Mrs. Collins started her presentation about her teaching philosophy and what we could expect for the school year. She talked about how much she loved kids and how she already loved our kids and how much she was looking forward to the year with them. She told us not to worry about the TAKS test, that everything was going to be ok. Her specialization is reading, but she also loves math and science. She talked about giving presentations to other teachers and teaching them how to be more effective teachers. She said that she gets to school early and does not leave until 6 in the evening. She said that she rarely has a substitute because she rarely misses school. She uses positive punishment and gives the kids the benefit of the doubt. She loves technology and employs it in the classroom. She said that her children have both graduated and are no longer living at home. Throughout her entire presentation, I kept thinking, "Wow, she sounds just like my mom." How fortunate for us and especially for Austin.  

Posted via email from will7079's posterous