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Thank God for Good Teachers

September 4, 2014 By Lena

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.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Back to School 2014, Selective Mutism, social anxiety disorder

Previous Post: « A Summer of KINDER Smiles :)
Next Post: Friday Harbour: Turn Every Day into Friday »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carlee

    September 4, 2014 at 5:42 pm

    Awwww, that’s so sweet. So happy he has a great teacher this year, he’s a doll.

    • Lena

      September 5, 2014 at 6:52 am

      Thanks Carlee!

  2. Sandy

    September 4, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    Good teachers are so important!

    • Lena

      September 5, 2014 at 6:52 am

      They really are! Thanks Sandy!

  3. BobbiJo Pentney

    September 4, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    Communication between teachers and parents is so very important.

    • Lena

      September 5, 2014 at 6:58 am

      It absolutely is :)

  4. Athena

    September 4, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    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.

    • Lena

      September 5, 2014 at 6:59 am

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

  5. Vanda

    September 4, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    That’s wonderful!

    • Lena

      September 5, 2014 at 6:59 am

      :) Thanks Vanda!

  6. Ella Pretty Blog

    September 4, 2014 at 9:34 pm

    So happy Ryder has a teacher who understands him!

    • Lena

      September 5, 2014 at 6:59 am

      Me to Ella :) Me too!

  7. MrDisco

    September 4, 2014 at 10:44 pm

    we all could use a pair of light up shoes

    • Lena

      September 5, 2014 at 6:59 am

      I agree. Wish they made them in adult sizes.

  8. marissa

    September 5, 2014 at 7:15 am

    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.

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 12:53 pm

      I think so too, Marissa, and thank you!

  9. yash

    September 5, 2014 at 7:36 am

    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!!

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 12:53 pm

      Absolutely Yash, and thank you for understanding!

  10. Judy Cowan

    September 5, 2014 at 11:17 am

    I am so glad he has a teacher who understand him, I really hope he has a great year!

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 12:53 pm

      Thanks Judy! He’s off to a great start!

  11. Darrah Bailey

    September 5, 2014 at 11:37 am

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

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 12:54 pm

      That is so good to hear, Darrah! And thank you!

  12. Flora M

    September 5, 2014 at 6:04 pm

    So happy for Ryder (and you) !! Sounds like he is off to a good start for a great year :)

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 12:54 pm

      Agreed Flora, thank you!

  13. kelly young

    September 5, 2014 at 7:11 pm

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

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 12:54 pm

      I’m just grateful that she seems to know what we’ve been through! And thanks Kelly!

  14. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    September 5, 2014 at 7:47 pm

    that made tears come behind my eyes.

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 12:55 pm

      Aw, thanks Chandra :) xx

  15. Lori Bazan

    September 6, 2014 at 6:31 am

    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.

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 12:55 pm

      Thank you Lori :)

  16. Nicky

    September 6, 2014 at 11:01 am

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

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 12:55 pm

      Me too – actually I don’t know how teachers do it!

  17. Anne Taylor

    September 7, 2014 at 1:24 pm

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

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 1:28 pm

      :) Your mom is an angel!

  18. Tricha

    September 7, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    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.

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 8:27 pm

      I hope so too, Tricha. Thank you :)

  19. MrDisco

    September 7, 2014 at 8:48 pm

    great teachers deserve extra bacon for breakfast

    • Lena

      October 13, 2014 at 10:32 am

      I second that notion.

  20. Tenille

    September 7, 2014 at 10:04 pm

    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. Soozle

    September 8, 2014 at 9:32 am

    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!

    • Lena

      October 13, 2014 at 10:33 am

      So far he’s doing very well Soozle! A lot of really good days!

  22. Victoria Ess

    September 8, 2014 at 10:31 am

    That must of been such a relief for both of you. Here’s to a great school year!

    • Lena

      October 13, 2014 at 10:36 am

      Thank you Victoria!

  23. jan

    September 8, 2014 at 11:37 am

    Such a relief knowing he has someone who understands and a support system right in his very classroom.

    • Lena

      October 13, 2014 at 10:36 am

      Very true Jan, I’m so lucky for that!

  24. Angie In My 30s

    September 8, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    amazing!! <3
    What a sweet little boy, with such a loving mom he can't go wrong

    • Lena

      October 13, 2014 at 10:36 am

      Thank you Angie, that really means a lot!

  25. Darlene Schuller

    September 8, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    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!

    • Lena

      October 13, 2014 at 10:37 am

      Just over a month in, he is already showing much progress :)

  26. Heidi C.

    September 8, 2014 at 11:18 pm

    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.

    • Lena

      October 13, 2014 at 10:37 am

      I completely agree. I have nothing but the utmost respect for them!

  27. Melinda L.

    September 10, 2014 at 12:01 pm

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

    • Lena

      October 13, 2014 at 10:38 am

      It’s so true Melinda, and I appreciate them so much already!

  28. Jodi Mitrovic

    September 10, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    That’s wonderful :)

    • Lena

      October 13, 2014 at 10:38 am

      Thanks Jodi :)

  29. Anna Johnson

    September 12, 2014 at 3:22 pm

    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.

    • Lena

      October 13, 2014 at 10:39 am

      I completely agree, Anna, thanks!

  30. Treen Goodwin

    September 13, 2014 at 11:55 am

    Wow …..he’s a sweet lil boy , it sure helps to have great teachers :)

    • Lena

      October 13, 2014 at 10:39 am

      Sure does!

  31. Lisa Neutel

    September 14, 2014 at 10:01 am

    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 !

    • Lena

      October 13, 2014 at 10:39 am

      In my experience the very nature of teachers is that they care :) Thanks Lisa!

  32. donna makayak

    September 17, 2014 at 7:07 pm

    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 .

    • Lena

      October 13, 2014 at 10:40 am

      Aw, thank YOU Donna for entering such a selfless and helpful profession!

  33. nicky

    September 18, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    here’s hoping that BC kids get back to school next week!

    • Lena

      October 13, 2014 at 10:40 am

      I’m so happy they returned to school!

  34. Eva Mitton-Urban

    September 21, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    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

    • Lena

      October 13, 2014 at 10:43 am

      Thank you so much for sharing your story, Eva :)

  35. Anna Johnson

    October 31, 2014 at 11:12 pm

    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. donna makayak

    November 11, 2014 at 11:58 pm

    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. kathy downey

    March 9, 2015 at 12:35 pm

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

  38. kathy downey

    June 14, 2015 at 3:50 pm

    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. kathy downey

    August 15, 2017 at 3:57 pm

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

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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