My opinions, not that you asked.

My sweet kiddo at his play day at school last week

Warning, warning, warning!  This will be an opinion-laden post.  I understand that this is a very negative opinion, and that I'm probably not entirely correct.  But it's something that is bugging me, and I feel the need to vent.  If you are easily offended or get really defensive, please stop reading now.  I've already told myself all of the counter-opinions, so I don't need anyone to reiterate them.

Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, allow me to start my rant.

I volunteer a lot with Bryant's class at his school.  He has a fantastic teacher, but she has a really tough class.  I'm going to be completely honest and tell you that I was completely unsure about her at first.  When Mike and I went to the open house before school started, she didn't really have a lot to tell us about what the year was going to hold for Bryant.  She didn't look any adults in the eye when she spoke to us.  AND Bry had already met most of the "goals" she had for the entire class - knowing his letters and sounds, counting to 100, writing his name, etc.  I was terrified for him to start kindergarten.  I talked to a good friend who is a kindergarten teacher herself, and she gave me some advice that I am thrilled I followed.  She said that maybe the teacher is just more comfortable around kids than adults.  Ok, I could give her that.  She also said that teachers are trained to teach the exceptionally smart kids and the exceptionally not-so-smart kids.  I should give her a chance and see how it goes for a couple of weeks.  If I still wasn't happy, I could talk to the guidance counselor (who I am also friends with) and have him moved to a different class.  I was the only parent from open house who signed up to be a "class parent."  That worried me, but I figured others would step up.  Bry's teacher (from here on out, 'Ms. A') said she'd call me when she needed my help.  Already long story a little shorter, I had to kind of force my way in there.  

Boy am I glad I did.  Because I've gotten to see her in action, and Ms. A is phenomenal.  She has two kids in her class who speak Spanish as their first language.  She had a really hard time with them at first because they knew very little English, and even less about English letters and writing.  She also has a couple of kids who should probably be in ESE (her opinion, not mine), and several of the kids in her class present HUGE behavior problems.  I'm talking HUGE.  Kids climbing on the tables, outright disrespecting and disobeying her, that kind of thing.  And it's not her.  She handles them really well.  In one breath she can discipline a child and be very stern and direct, and in the very next breath she loves and encourages the same child.  If my kid acted that way, he would suffer SEVERE consequences at home.

And it's not just the behavior problems.  Probably 1/4 of the class rarely have their homework completed.  Some of the kids have teeth rotting out of their mouths and wear dirty clothes to school.  Those poor kids should not have to suffer that way.  But then some of the kids are dressed to the nines every day and always have work done and seem to be doing great in school.  It's really humbling, and I don't know how she deals with it all day in and day out.

I've given you all that background to tell you about the little project I'm doing for her for teacher appreciation week.  I am making her a little book.  I printed out a page for each kid to fill out with a few questions like, "The best thing I have learned this year is ______."  and "My favorite thing about Ms. A is __________."  I put the papers in an envelope along with a letter explaining the idea and sent them home with each kid.  I got less than half back, and I gave them over a week to complete it.  I did everything for the parents.  This was going to cost them exactly ZERO money, and I got less than half returned.  So I reprinted the appropriate amount and took them to class today.  I took the remaining kids out in groups of 3 and helped them complete the papers so Ms. A's book would be complete.  I think she's going to love it.

It is so so so so so frustrating to see the lack of parental involvement in that class.  I know for a fact that several of the moms don't work outside the home.  Again, there are some moms and dads who at least make an effort.  But the ones on the other side of that spectrum drive me crazy.  This is your kid's education!!!  And our teachers are WAY underpaid, and the futures of these kids are literally on the teachers' shoulders.  And yes, I understand that I don't know each individual circumstance.  I know I should not be this judgmental.  Believe me, I know all that.  But it's still hard to watch.  It's hard to watch Ms. A tell a kid to go sit down and hear that kid tell her, "My mommy says I don't have to listen to you."  It angers me to watch the disrespect I see in that class.  And it ticks me off to know that the parents just don't care, from what I'm witnessing anyway.

I am not at all trying to toot my own horn, but I am trying really hard to make this week as special as it can be for Ms. A.  She is incredible, and Bry is incredibly blessed to have her as his teacher.  He LOVES school, and it's in large part because of her.  I just wish the other parents could see what I see.  She told me that only a handful of parents ever came in to observe during the year, and only 1 other parent helps in the class with any regularity.  As a mom, I just can't understand that.  I have to know what my kid is learning and who his classmates are and what activities he's doing.  I don't know how some of the other parents can just not care.

Well, the good news is that I have all the papers completed now, so I can make Ms. A's book.  I hope it shows her that she has made a huge difference in these kids' lives - if for no other reason than she taught them to read and write (they all wrote in their own answers).

On to my day:

Frustrating: Of course it involves Lynnie mainly, but she wore her true and BRIGHT diva colors for most of today.  Some days it gets to the point that she has been fussing and unhappy for so long that I wonder if there is something health-wise going on with her that I'm not seeing.  She can't be this rotten forever, right?!  (And, for the record, before you go thinking I'm a terrible person for being so frustrated with her and might be ignoring something important, I have taken her to see the doctor several times when she gets particularly fussy.  Only one of those times did they actually find anything wrong.)

Awesome: 1) I took the kids to the gym with me and had an awesome workout!  Lynnie was great in the childcare area (in large part because Bry was in there with her).  I did that at the end of my day, so it puts me in a much better mood than I was in earlier!  2) I have everything I need to make Ms. A's book.  I think she's going to love it!  3) I took Ms. A breakfast this morning, and she liked it so much she asked for the recipe!  I made her that de-lish french toast casserole that I told you about last week.  4) Lynnie and Bry took a bath together when we got back from the gym.  They just love playing together.  It was the perfect ending to the day - put me in a great mood.  And now I'm motivated enough to go tackle the huge mound of dishes in my sink!!!

Do y'all have any good teacher appreciation gift ideas?  Preferably very inexpensive and not too crafty...