Celebrating a Wonderful Teacher

Every Saturday share a celebration.   It can be anything (or several things). A photo, a page from your writer's notebook, a favorite lesson, a success story, student writing, a recipe, a new book for your classroom library -- just find something to celebrate.  

My oldest son is a kindergartener this year, and what a learning experience it has been.  Not for him because he absolutely LOVES school.  For me, because I have learned how to trust.  His teacher is helping me learn how to trust.  First, let me give a little background and share that she is a first year teacher.  I remember my first year of teaching, and it's a year I would like to erase from my memory.  When I found out that this was her first year of teaching, I panicked and could only think of my first year.  I tried to quickly think positive and trust, but that was easier said than done.  After some advice from other teacher friends I decided to make the best of this year (thank goodness!!).  Here is a quick list of some things I love about Miss Achauer:

1.  She emails the parents daily with a quick recap of the day, so that we can have meaningful conversations with our children about their day in school. (Her words)

2.  She truly understands my son, and I couldn't ask for anything more.  She understands that he is a hands-on learner and that paper/pencil tasks do not reveal his true potential.  She also understands that he is caring and sensitive.  

3.  She differentiates based on student needs and abilities.  When I think of teaching kindergarten, I picture trying to herd cats.  There is such a wide variety of needs in a kindergarten classroom, and many  kiddos still struggle to work independently.  I am in awe when I see how successful she is at accomplishing this!

4.  She puts my mind at ease.  It is obvious that she has listened to my concerns about my sons communication and frustration issues.  The information that she shares with me about him is beyond positive.  This puts my mind at ease as a parent, more than she will ever know!

5.  She CELEBRATES learning.  One thing that she shared with me at parent/teacher conferences was that the class celebrates each other's writing through all parts of the writing process.  I seriously wanted to jump across the table and hug her!  

Miss Achauer needs to be celebrated, not because she has helped me learn how to trust, but because she is delicately nurturing my son's love of learning.  She is a natural teacher who truly understands that teaching is more than standardized tests, OTES and Resident Educator requirements, but it is about children.  I am so thankful that my son has the opportunity of  learning and growing with Miss Achauer during her first year of teaching.