Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Thank God for Good Teachers

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No really, it’s okay for me to thank God, because I’m Catholic. So it’s not blasphemy or anything.

And today I’m thanking Him for good teachers. Because if you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know that I own a sweet little guy with a social anxiety disorder. (Remember this post?)

Getting him diagnosed was half the battle, and when we did, I spent a lot of time describing the condition to his teachers and school helpers – trying to communicate in a succinct way that he’s fully capable of speaking, but in social situations, he often chooses not to.

(In other words, so NOT like his mama.)

Hence, with a brand new school year and a brand new school, it was my responsibility to find some time to have a quick chat with his teacher. Warn her, if you will! You know, just casually inform that there’s a super cute kid who’s super smart and super silly but may have a problem borrowing a pencil crayon from a classmate. Even though he has no problem ripping it from his little brother’s hands. *shakes fist*

Well, this afternoon, I decided to break the news to his teacher, who had three full days to spend with him and therefore, would have likely cottoned on to the anxious kid with light-up shoes. (Empire Strikes Back shoes y’all! Totally bought them for my own perverse enjoyment.)

RyderI began the conversation with “So, how’s his anxiety?” – as if we had already had an in depth discussion about it and she knew all about his behavioural history. It was either that, or say: “You don’t know me, but I have a kid whom I can’t relate to and I kind of want to give you money because you take him off my hands for hours each day and I know you don’t know me from Adam but I’m putting all of my eggs in your basket with the hope you can make him talk at school cause Lord knows (again, not blasphemy) that he talks too much at home.” Riight… not happening. So let’s just say I was pretty happy with my opening.

However, within moments of chatting with her, she asked, “Is he a selective mute?” 

Hand on heart, I almost cried on the spot. Then I wanted to break out in a dance of joy. And I even briefly considered pausing and buying an expensive handbag online, because these moments of kismet need to be celebrated and nothing marks the occasion like Marc Jacobs.

After years of trying to describe his social disorder to teachers, parents, friends, strangers, you name it! …

Here was someone who understood. Who spoke Ryder’s language… even when he doesn’t speak.

I nodded my head enthusiastically and rushed to tell her everything I could about Ryder and his social quirks. And, by the end of our conversation, I walked away with a skip in my step, knowing that he will undoubtedly get the help he needs to emerge from his shell this year. I’m so happy! Thank God for great teachers.

p.s. That’s Ryder on his first day. Those eyes! Love him to pieces.

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Comments

  4. There’s nothing better than a teacher who takes the time to understand the children, and that they are all different with their own needs.

    • I agree Athena, my boys are still young so we don’t have a lot of experience with teachers, but so far, so good!

  8. Ryder is a super cute kid and thank God for good teachers! I’m so happy that his new teacher understands his situation and that would really help Ryder.

  9. What a relief! It must be so comforting to know that Ryder is getting the understanding and attention he needs. I can’t imagine how anxiety inducing this must be for you and him so this must be a huge weight lifted! Phew!!

  11. SO happy that he has someone that understands.. Great teachers are very important. My daughters grade 1 teacher was really amazing.

  13. thats so great lena its so nice when teachers put themselves out there with kids they can really make connections

  15. Yes, thank God for great teachers. Having a teacher that understands and is on the same page is such a gift! Your post made me tear a bit because I can feel the love.

  16. well said. teachers are sooo important in children’s lives. i respect them (good ones, at least) so much.

  17. My mom was a teacher who preferred working with kids who had special needs! They are indeed a rare breed!

  18. Glad Ryder has a teacher who understands him and he can connect to. Hopefully soon he will be comfortable enough to express himself without fear.

  20. That’s so great to hear, Lena! I love your little guy, but yes agree that people like us (loudmouths?!) find it hard to relate to people who don’t enjoy being so very loud like we are. Anyone who gets to know Ryder for more than 2 seconds knows that he’s such a beautiful little boy inside and out. I’m glad you are such an advocate for him (but I’d expect nothing less!)

  21. Oh yaaaah! That is such amazing news for both Ryder and for yourself (to have the peace of knowing he is with someone who understands)! Hopefully having someone there for him who understands will help him to break out of that shell a little more!

  25. It’s a wonderful feeling when someone understands something that’s difficult for an ‘average’ person to understand.

    I’m so glad that this teacher seems familiar with his diagnosis! You can rest assured he’s probably going to have a wonderful year!

  26. I know it gets said a lot but teachers are truly undervalued and underappreciated, especially the good ones, one of which it sounds as if your son was fortunate to get this year.

  27. Awwww that’s so sweet! There are rare moments where you just connect with teachers, which makes you appreciate them even more.

  29. A good teacher is so important. My boys have each had at least one teacher they didn’t like, and that I didn’t like. If the teacher is a good teacher they are usually likable and that makes school easier for the child as well as the parents.

  31. So glad your son has a good teacher…it is so important to have good teachers ..ones that actually care about they’re jobs and the children and not just there for a paycheck..
    Hope your son has a great year !

  32. Im in my first year of trying to get my early childhood diploma ,you cant imagine how happy I am to read a parent like yourself acknowledge teachers .

  34. Had my son by IVF after 13 years with many miscarriages – not only is my greatest blessing – I do what I have to do to ensure that his emotional growth/innocence/verve for life is protected – I mean as much as I can. Having a good group of understanding/patient support group professional is the key. What seems an issue perhaps with social anxiety now – will curb with the gems of assistance from their Godsend people.

    Eva Mitton-Urban

  35. Great teachers, and other school staff make all the difference. We’ve had bad experiences and it makes the school year crawl by. It isn’t a happy school experience for either the child or the parent. All teachers and staff should be good with kids, it’s a shame not many are.

  36. Im taking a year 1 of 2 course in ece ,thank you for post it is important for a relationship between the childs parents and the teachers,

  37. So happy he has a great teacher this year,teachers who excel are sometimes hard to find

  38. A good teacher make all the difference on how much they learn the whole year,a bad teacher can ruin the year and discourage the child

  39. Here’s to another great year for the boys hope they get great teacher’s again this year !