Dear Kindergarten Teacher

 

Daniel was placed with me when he was 4 1/2 years old.
Since his birthday was in December, 
I knew I had a year to get him ready for kindergarten.
When that day came, my principal was kind enough to let me come in a little later for work.
As an early childhood educator,
I knew in my heart as I walked into his kindergarten classroom,
that it wasn't the best placement for him.
But as a teacher,
I wanted to give his teacher a chance.

When he started to have behavior issues,
and brought home handwritten, detailed notes weekly,
I created a daily report chart for her to use.
I wanted to do everything I could to help him be successful
and to support her.
It was not easy.
He had special needs for a child that came from a hard place,
And I was hoping she understood that he may need more time than his peers.
I kept detailed notes and records.
I had requested a different placement.
But no change.

Then he brought this paper home. (See photo)
And that was all I needed.

Yes, we had a student success team meeting.
Yes, I let the teacher share her observations.
Yes, I was supportive and professional.
Yes, I acknowledged that my child had challenges.
Yes, I shared that we were in therapy and working on self control.
Yes, I questioned the team what kindergarten standards the school were using.
Yes, I showed them the math work he was given to redo at home.
Yes, I asked if that was appropriate kindergarten work.
No, I didn't mention that I was offended by the command and tone of the note she wrote to
"Do over at home!" "Return!"
No, I didn't have him redo it.
No, I didn't have him return it.

He was moved to another kindergarten class the next week.
I didn't get another note.

Learning Foundations PreK/TK

As my friends return to their classrooms this week to prepare for their new students, 
I am preparing to facilitate CGI Math professional development for kindergarten teachers.
I am excited because I know teaching early math is not double digit computations written on paper.
(Not saying that computation is not appropriate, it may be for SOME kids, but not ALL)
I know that early math, like all good instruction, is getting to know your students, learning what they can do already, and planning ways to keep them moving forward.

Learning should be joyful and meaningful for both student and teacher.
It can be if we know who we are teaching, what we are teaching, and how to utilize engaging and appropriate instructional strategies.


Dear Kindergarten Teacher, 

Thank you for teaching kindergarten. You may be a child's first experience with school and the first time they are away from home. They may cry. They may yell at you. They may runaway. But they are where they should be, in your classroom. Keep them safe. Get to know them as they get to know you. Be patient with them and yourself. It may not happen overnight, but they will bloom in your care. 

Have Fun and please don't mark 5 year olds' work in red with demands to redo assignments at home when they don't understand it in class.

Thank you for listening to my TEDTalk.
Have a great year teachers! You Rock!

Daniel's Mom

PS: He had a fabulous first-grade teacher the next year.

Something Sweet to Remember

It's been over a year since my last post. 

I had every intention of keeping up now that I am "retired."

But life got in the way. 

Today, I needed to post.

There is a custom I learned years ago from attending Chinese funerals.

When guests leave the service, 

they are handed a piece of candy and sometimes coins.

I asked my mom about this and I remember her saying that the candy is to help 

take away the bitterness and replace it with something sweet. 

Coins were given to children to buy candy.

(This was years ago, and a dime or quarter would have been enough to buy a piece of candy).

I have tried to carry on this tradition,

giving something sweet to help remember sweet memories of those we have lost,

although I have modified it a bit.

Sometimes candy, sometimes ice cream, 

sometimes cupcakes or cookies,

and occasionally, something sweet from Starbucks.

All with the same intention,

sweet memories to help us process the loss.

Yesterday was a tough day.
I got news that two friends passed.

One I hadn’t seen in over 40 years.
The other I had just seen a few years ago.

Middle school for a chubby, shy, immigrant, 

thirteen-year-old girl could be terrifying and brutal.

But it wasn’t for me.
Tehipite Junior High didn’t have the best reputation,
or was on the list of good schools,

But I had very fond memories of my time there.

I was lucky to have been surrounded by friends 

who were also really good people.
Together we went through growing pains and adolescent awkwardness,

And survived.
Aram was one of those friends.
We grew up together.
He was skinny and tall,
with the longest legs ever,
dark, wavy, late 70’s hair,
and a beautiful smile.
He made me laugh.
Even though he acted tough,

I knew he had a soft heart.
He loved the rock group Kiss
and made fun of my Bay City Rollers.

He helped make going to middle school safe for me.

We lost touch after high school

until Facebook reconnected us.
He married a teacher.
He had two sons.
He loved being a grandfather.

Yesterday, I found out he passed away.

Some people, 

No matter how much time has passed,

Continue to hold a place in your heart.

Grateful that Aram was a part of my life,

If you looked up the word teacher,

you’d see a picture of Ms. Medina.
When I transferred to Belvedere Elementary 9 years ago,

she was one of the first people to welcome me.
She WAS Belvedere.

She had taught there for over 4 decades

and knew every student and family in the community.

She was strict and held high expectations,

and she was kind and loving too.
She dressed professionally every day,

and unlike me,
she never looked flustered or frustrated.

I can tell she loved being a teacher by the way she talked about students,

the time and effort she spent creating her class environment,

and how she carried herself daily.
She lived in the community.

She was known as the teacher,

and deeply respected.

I will always remember her kindness,

encouragement and support

the year I had the most challenging class.

I will remember the zucchini bread

and delicious cookies delivered 

to my classroom each holiday season.
I will remember the most beautiful and HUGE

plant arrangement she sent when I retired.

I will cherish the thoughtful notes and 

Inspiring, uplifting words she has shared with me.

So today I had a mango and coconut smoothie.

It was a sweet treat 

to remember sweet memories

of two special people who have impacted my life.