Thanks for all you do each day to help make school a special place for the children you are touching and teaching this year, and thanks for dropping by to read my post. Today, we're sharing our reflections of our school experiences and in my case (since I'm too old to remember those beginning years), I'm going to share special memories I have of my children's experiences. They have been touched by some special teachers, and I think this is a great time to thank them for their love and caring.

Mrs. G gave my son a fantastic start, but others also touched, challenged, and motivated him. Mrs. T in second grade expected his writing to be in paragraphs and if not, he had to redo them! Mrs. O, in third grade, included many, many hands on science challenges and reading projects. She made a point to attend his baseball games multiple times, and she included me in her math enrichment block. In fourth grade, Mr. E...well...he could have taught at Wayside School. He loved novels and shared his passion for reading. Sam's favorite that year was Where the Red Fern Grows. Mrs. L, the math teacher that year, connected with Sam too. She still follows up and tells me stories about his time in her class. By fifth grade, we knew Sam was a "Math Kid", but Mrs. P proved to him that he could write...poetry in fact! He won our city's Writers in Residence award for his poetry, and I got to see that maybe there was a little of me in him. :-)

My youngest had Mrs. Z for kindergarten, and let's just say that siblings aren't always the same type of learner. Mrs. Z had had my oldest in second grade, and throughout school, he's been very easy-going. My youngest is not. She's a live wire, and Mrs. Z found that out! Still, she was able to use that energy positively much of the time. My youngest is the artsy kid. She loves singing, dancing, and making things. She is the complete opposite of her brother. Mrs. Z included lots of movement which was fabulous for my busy one. In second grade, Mrs. C included movement breaks too, and as part of the routine, each child had stretch bands that they used for brain breaks. We know from research how important those stretch breaks and movement are for all kids, and I think that's a big reason second grade was the most successful year for my youngest. It sure makes a difference for improving attention.
As my youngest has moved through elementary, it has been challenging at times. She has some special needs, and a one size fits all program just doesn't work for her. She has had fantastic teachers who have been flexible with and for her. Yet, a smaller class size and differentiating the curriculum has been most important for her success. Mrs. V, a teacher from fifth grade, has formed a strong connection with my daughter, and when she was out of school for short stretch, Mrs. V called to see if she could come by to see her. It was a lovely visit, and I certainly appreciated the kindness shown to my daughter. It will motivate her to work hard for her teacher in the future, I know.
I will close with a few words about my schooling. I was the child that was quiet and sort of went under the radar. I did my work and learned easily, but I never really connected with my teachers. I did very well in school, and I just kind of went through the motions. I was never much of a reader either which is what drives me to reach out, connect with, and help my students love learning and reading. I work to find just the right books for them and try to make class time focused, engaging, motivating, and personal. I try to know each and every one...what they love, are interested in, and what will help them most. I know all of my blog readers do the same. The very fact that you read blogs shows that you have passion for teaching and learning. Do not lose that! Continue learning and growing, reaching and teaching our kids. Have a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week, and best wishes in our Teachers Pay Teachers giveaway! I wish each reader could win.
Before you go on to the next stop, please take a moment to enter the giveaway here.
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Now you can head over to visit Bex at Reading and Writing Redhead to hear all about her favorite school memories. Again...thanks for all you do to make special memories for each and every student.

Such special memories of your kids and their teachers. Isn't it great how they connected with your kids to make them become the learners they are today?! Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
ReplyDeleteAndrea
Reading Toward the Stars
Thanks Andrea. Same to you. I have really appreciated each one.
DeleteI loved reading the stories of how your children bonded with their teachers. Those are memories they will take with them into their adult years. Best of luck to Sam at North Carolina this fall! Our middle son will be attending his first year in college as well.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize we had kids the same age. That's exciting. Best wishes to your son too. :-)
DeleteSounds like your children have been blessed with amazing childhoods full of wonderful people! How lucky they are!
ReplyDeleteHey Carla! Happy Teacher Appreciation Day! Have you ever heard Yetta Goodman's intro to one of her books (I'd have to look it up) about being a Kidwatcher? I'd say that's exactly what you are - looking to the interests, experiences, and knowledge of your kids first and foremost!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! :-)
Michelle
BigTime Literacy
I try so hard to be! I definitely get bogged down with the day to day stuff, but always, I make sure to greet my kids, ask about their night, plans for the weekend, what they're reading, etc. I do think that helps us connect. I also told them all about camping this weekend...putting up the tent by myself, building a fire with Catherine, etc. It was fun chatting about camping. I loved Emily's comment about talking about her cats and kids. They love it. I loved your post too, Michelle! I just didn't get time to comment yet. :-)
DeleteLove that you all shared your memories of teachers!!! I enjoyed reading them all. Thanks for sharing and for hosting such an amazing giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love that you took a minute to comment too. :-) I very much appreciate the little things that my children have enjoyed about their teachers. They have been so special in their lives.
DeleteThanks Jessica! It's been hard for my second, but we continue to support her and hope that she'll work through the challenges. Supportive teachers certainly make a difference.
ReplyDelete