"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?
