"Mom..." My daughter's voice was strained. "KC didn't get the teacher I was hoping for. I think the teacher she got is not warm and fuzzy. She's very no-nonsense. You know KC does well with a loving teacher."
This was KC's first week of kindergarten. I'm a retired 1st grade teacher. I've always told parents not to worry about who they got on the first week. Give your child a chance to get to know their teacher and the school. Often times, although that teacher may not be the one the parent wanted, the child may feel differently. I've said this and a LOT more, but this was MY granddaughter.
I did my best to reassure Tiffany that all would be well for my granddaughter and if not, there are lots of steps she could take.
Then it got me worrying. What if it ruined KC's love of school? What if she was damaged by an uncaring teacher? KC is shy with strangers. She's more of an introvert like us. What if she retreated into a shell because she was treated too harshly? What if.....?
I imagined her huddled in a silent, whimpering ball in the corner of the classroom. When we talked to her on Skype on the 2nd day of school she seemed too exhausted to talk to us after dinner. We figured she must be stressed and worried even more.
We got a call from Tiffany today. "You are NOT going to believe this, guys!" she said in a stunned voice. "I was at an ice cream social at school today. KC's teacher told me that KC is such a chatterbox at school that she may have to move her to another seat. Apparently KC and a friend can't stop talking. She said KC is talking all the time."
KC? My granddaughter? Shy KC? Tiffany asked KC about school and she admitted that she did talk sometimes even when the teacher was speaking.
My granddaughter?
Apparently KC is doing just fine and enjoying school. Wouldn't you think I would know better?
I did my best to reassure Tiffany that all would be well for my granddaughter and if not, there are lots of steps she could take.
Then it got me worrying. What if it ruined KC's love of school? What if she was damaged by an uncaring teacher? KC is shy with strangers. She's more of an introvert like us. What if she retreated into a shell because she was treated too harshly? What if.....?
I imagined her huddled in a silent, whimpering ball in the corner of the classroom. When we talked to her on Skype on the 2nd day of school she seemed too exhausted to talk to us after dinner. We figured she must be stressed and worried even more.
We got a call from Tiffany today. "You are NOT going to believe this, guys!" she said in a stunned voice. "I was at an ice cream social at school today. KC's teacher told me that KC is such a chatterbox at school that she may have to move her to another seat. Apparently KC and a friend can't stop talking. She said KC is talking all the time."
KC? My granddaughter? Shy KC? Tiffany asked KC about school and she admitted that she did talk sometimes even when the teacher was speaking.
My granddaughter?
Apparently KC is doing just fine and enjoying school. Wouldn't you think I would know better?
I knew KC would be okay from the first sentence. You and Tiff have have done a great job!!!!
ReplyDeleteTheir first day at kindergarten = our first day of stepping back.
ReplyDeleteit's a similar experience with the various construction companies the Union Hall sends us out to. It may be the best company but the crew you work with is the pits. There are different crews on any job site. Or a reputed junk company that you no like go work for but then the crew you work with is da best.
ReplyDeletewhat a little sweetie, she is not so shy after all, what wonderful news, all three of our children were dreadfully shy, its not the best situation at all.I'm so glad everything worked out for KC.Our Grandson is in the seventh grade, he is not happy with the math teacher he has this year, the man yells alot and admits it and told the kids it would either be their best year or their worst, I think thats a terrible attitude,
ReplyDeleteBe prepared. This is just the beginning. Our oldest of eight went into the Navy and we worry. Our youngest will start middle school soon and we will worry. I have to remind myself constantly that "Worry is a prayer for something you don't want."
ReplyDeleteWell, at least you now know why she was too tired to talk to you on Skype....all that talk, talk, talk just wore her out. I'm glad your fears have been relieved for now.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful story! Cute dress, too! Hope she settles into the routine okay.
ReplyDeleteFor several years in early elementary school, I received "talks too much in class" notes on my otherwise dandy report cards. DrumMajor
Good that she is adjusting so well...
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile. Of course she was going to be fine. But it's so different when it's one of your own. I can also remember hearing a teacher talk about my eldest and thinking she'd got the wrong child.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to discover that your fears were groundless. KC is such a sweetheart, how could anybody resist her charms? And now she is a chatterbox! Wonderful news. :-)
ReplyDeleteI guess your initial thoughts were correct all along, and objective. Glad she's settling in.
ReplyDeleteSometimes your own advice is the hardest to take :-)
ReplyDeleteAwww, she will just fine. It sounds like she already is. You know too, the no nonsense teachers turn out to be the best ones.
ReplyDeleteSometimes too much knowledge about the school system can be a bad thing?? As in, it prompts you to fuss over potential problems and remedies?
ReplyDeleteYour granddaughter will be fine because she has a good foundation. So much of who we are comes from our parent's love and sacrifice during our early years. I'm convinced that is the most important.
L. from W.
That is too funny. Shows she is her own person, already. I'll bet she's very popular.
ReplyDeleteAs I recall,the young student doesn't even know there is an alternative possibility. They just accept and adjust to reality. Of course, my first teacher was named MISS ANGEL, so my experience may be a bit different. :-)
ReplyDeleteFor the benefit of your readers, I would like to point out that your lead picture of Tantalus Lookout is near where the young Barack Obama and his grandparents would sometimes go for picnics. Imagine turning right and going back a hundred yards. There are picnic tables on the other side of the woods, not to mention a lot of feral cats looking for some scraps from your picnic.---Henry Hank Chapin
Hey Gramma. You were right the first time. You make me grin.
ReplyDeleteVery funny. As you would have told all those parents over the years, just relax, it will all be fine.
ReplyDeleteI'm laughing, Kay, with you? Or at you? But then it's always different when it's our own.
ReplyDeletethe KEY thing is the home and family,
ReplyDeleteand YOURs continues to blow my mind!
The consideration you gave your kids,
enables them to pass it along to KC.
If her parents and grandparents continue to
BELIEVE
in her as you do in this post, she will
THRIVE for life!!!!!!
Have a Great Weekend
Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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