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.)
I 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.
Awwww, that’s so sweet. So happy he has a great teacher this year, he’s a doll.
Thanks Carlee!
Good teachers are so important!
They really are! Thanks Sandy!
Communication between teachers and parents is so very important.
It absolutely is :)
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!
That’s wonderful!
:) Thanks Vanda!
So happy Ryder has a teacher who understands him!
Me to Ella :) Me too!
we all could use a pair of light up shoes
I agree. Wish they made them in adult sizes.
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.
I think so too, Marissa, and thank you!
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!!
Absolutely Yash, and thank you for understanding!
I am so glad he has a teacher who understand him, I really hope he has a great year!
Thanks Judy! He’s off to a great start!
SO happy that he has someone that understands.. Great teachers are very important. My daughters grade 1 teacher was really amazing.
That is so good to hear, Darrah! And thank you!
So happy for Ryder (and you) !! Sounds like he is off to a good start for a great year :)
Agreed Flora, thank you!
thats so great lena its so nice when teachers put themselves out there with kids they can really make connections
I’m just grateful that she seems to know what we’ve been through! And thanks Kelly!
that made tears come behind my eyes.
Aw, thanks Chandra :) xx
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.
Thank you Lori :)
well said. teachers are sooo important in children’s lives. i respect them (good ones, at least) so much.
Me too – actually I don’t know how teachers do it!
My mom was a teacher who preferred working with kids who had special needs! They are indeed a rare breed!
:) Your mom is an angel!
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.
I hope so too, Tricha. Thank you :)
great teachers deserve extra bacon for breakfast
I second that notion.
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!)
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!
So far he’s doing very well Soozle! A lot of really good days!
That must of been such a relief for both of you. Here’s to a great school year!
Thank you Victoria!
Such a relief knowing he has someone who understands and a support system right in his very classroom.
Very true Jan, I’m so lucky for that!
amazing!! <3
What a sweet little boy, with such a loving mom he can't go wrong
Thank you Angie, that really means a lot!
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!
Just over a month in, he is already showing much progress :)
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.
I completely agree. I have nothing but the utmost respect for them!
Awwww that’s so sweet! There are rare moments where you just connect with teachers, which makes you appreciate them even more.
It’s so true Melinda, and I appreciate them so much already!
That’s wonderful :)
Thanks Jodi :)
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.
I completely agree, Anna, thanks!
Wow …..he’s a sweet lil boy , it sure helps to have great teachers :)
Sure does!
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 !
In my experience the very nature of teachers is that they care :) Thanks Lisa!
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 .
Aw, thank YOU Donna for entering such a selfless and helpful profession!
here’s hoping that BC kids get back to school next week!
I’m so happy they returned to school!
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
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Eva :)
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.
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,
So happy he has a great teacher this year,teachers who excel are sometimes hard to find
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
Here’s to another great year for the boys hope they get great teacher’s again this year !