Advisory: this is a chatty, kind of ranty, non-quilting related post.
We went to my grand daughter Eva's second grade open house last night. She was so proud to show us around her classroom, pointing out her projects on display and her art work on the walls. She was especially excited to show us the huge amount of work she put into this life size paper rendition of her organs and skeletal structure. In the picture, she is showing us her brains! It has been a great year for her. Up to a point…
I am going to backtrack here. Last year Eva was placed in a combination kindergarten/first grade class. Typically combo classes are a challenge and are assigned to well seasoned, organized teachers. Not in this case. The teacher was teaching for the first time ever, was listless and socially inept. She could not even make eye contact when speaking with parents. I decided to volunteer to help her in the classroom, because if you can't see anything good in a situation, try to make it better, right?
I have never seen a teacher so low energy. It was all she could do to keep some semblance of order with the kindergartners, much less teach anything to the first graders. Then she got pregnant. Her energy level dropped even lower, her classroom was an unappealing slovenly mess, and then she quit.
Luckily an amazing substitute was called out of retirement to finish out the last couple months of the school year, and I swear, those kids learned more in those few weeks than they had the entire year so far. She also cleaned up things and made the room attractive and inviting. All was not lost and we ended on a positive note.
Then this year Eva was assigned to another combination class–second/third grade. Our hearts sank and we prepared ourselves for another poor experience. But we were wrong. This time she got a great teacher-experienced, organized, fun and high energy. The third graders were doing more advanced work of course, and I swear the second graders picked up on many things above their grade level. We were giving each other high fives, saying that Eva deserved a great classroom experience after last year.
Then spring break came. Her wonderful teacher was in a bad accident and broke both arms. She tried to break up a dog fight and one big dog grabbed one of her arms and snapped it and the other big dog grabbed her wrist and broke it. And she's out for the rest of the year. Obviously she can't help it, but what bad luck.
It's been substitutes since April and now that the end of the year has come, I have no clue how or who will do end of the year assessments and report cards. At the open house last night, there was no teacher to greet the parents or tell us how great our kid was. The principal was acting as hostess. I introduced us to her as "Eva's family" and it was clear she had no clue who Eva was. We are a small town. It is a small school. Wouldn't you think the principal would know all the kids in the school especially when they have been there for three years?
Eva is undaunted by this situation and as you can see from the photos, was as proud as punch to show us around her school and classroom. But it makes me sad. She deserves better.
39 responses to “Eva’s School Experience”
This is a sad story. I hate that your cheerful energetic granddaughter cannot get a good education.
This is a sad story. I hate that your cheerful energetic granddaughter cannot get a good education.
This is a sad story. I hate that your cheerful energetic granddaughter cannot get a good education.
Small communities are struggling with attracting teachers all over the country. There aren’t enough people going into education and those that do don’t get adequate support. There are societal reasons for this is the politest way I can express this. I’m so sorry that your family is coping with this. Support and challenges from her family will help manage a good amount of the short-comings, so hang in there. My nephew dealt with some of this as a kid and he’s been Dean’s List regularly at a very large university. Don’t give up.
Small communities are struggling with attracting teachers all over the country. There aren’t enough people going into education and those that do don’t get adequate support. There are societal reasons for this is the politest way I can express this. I’m so sorry that your family is coping with this. Support and challenges from her family will help manage a good amount of the short-comings, so hang in there. My nephew dealt with some of this as a kid and he’s been Dean’s List regularly at a very large university. Don’t give up.
Small communities are struggling with attracting teachers all over the country. There aren’t enough people going into education and those that do don’t get adequate support. There are societal reasons for this is the politest way I can express this. I’m so sorry that your family is coping with this. Support and challenges from her family will help manage a good amount of the short-comings, so hang in there. My nephew dealt with some of this as a kid and he’s been Dean’s List regularly at a very large university. Don’t give up.
Oh, dear. I’m so sorry that Eva’s teacher last year wasn’t up to snuff and that this year’s teacher had such an awful injury. Bless Eva’s heart that she s still bloomed.
As for the principal who cannot be bothered to learn the names of the kids: there is no excuse for that.
Hugs!
Oh, dear. I’m so sorry that Eva’s teacher last year wasn’t up to snuff and that this year’s teacher had such an awful injury. Bless Eva’s heart that she s still bloomed.
As for the principal who cannot be bothered to learn the names of the kids: there is no excuse for that.
Hugs!
Oh, dear. I’m so sorry that Eva’s teacher last year wasn’t up to snuff and that this year’s teacher had such an awful injury. Bless Eva’s heart that she s still bloomed.
As for the principal who cannot be bothered to learn the names of the kids: there is no excuse for that.
Hugs!
Well that is certainly a sad story. Eva is lucky she has so many people surrounding her and making the best out of a sketchy situation. I hope it stabilizes over the summer somehow.
Well that is certainly a sad story. Eva is lucky she has so many people surrounding her and making the best out of a sketchy situation. I hope it stabilizes over the summer somehow.
Well that is certainly a sad story. Eva is lucky she has so many people surrounding her and making the best out of a sketchy situation. I hope it stabilizes over the summer somehow.
I can understand your frustration and a feeling of lost opportunity for her personal growth and potential to shine to her fullest. But kids are resilient, that’s for sure. My daughter went through the same thing. Three teachers in one year during third grade. Then in 5th, a new teacher came to replace the highly anticipated, tenured teacher that relocated closer to home. The new teacher was there a week and resigned due to medical issues. It took them until January to get a permanent replacement and the assistant teacher (across two classrooms) was their primary. Terrible. They spent the entire second half studying like mad to be prepared for the !@#$!@# STAAR tests. My daughter is and has always been an exceptional reader and very bright. She did not blossom like I know she could have this past year and these are the magical years where they are sponges for knowledge before those hormones start interacting. Fingers crossed for next year or else I may have to home school or search out private schools.
I can understand your frustration and a feeling of lost opportunity for her personal growth and potential to shine to her fullest. But kids are resilient, that’s for sure. My daughter went through the same thing. Three teachers in one year during third grade. Then in 5th, a new teacher came to replace the highly anticipated, tenured teacher that relocated closer to home. The new teacher was there a week and resigned due to medical issues. It took them until January to get a permanent replacement and the assistant teacher (across two classrooms) was their primary. Terrible. They spent the entire second half studying like mad to be prepared for the !@#$!@# STAAR tests. My daughter is and has always been an exceptional reader and very bright. She did not blossom like I know she could have this past year and these are the magical years where they are sponges for knowledge before those hormones start interacting. Fingers crossed for next year or else I may have to home school or search out private schools.
I can understand your frustration and a feeling of lost opportunity for her personal growth and potential to shine to her fullest. But kids are resilient, that’s for sure. My daughter went through the same thing. Three teachers in one year during third grade. Then in 5th, a new teacher came to replace the highly anticipated, tenured teacher that relocated closer to home. The new teacher was there a week and resigned due to medical issues. It took them until January to get a permanent replacement and the assistant teacher (across two classrooms) was their primary. Terrible. They spent the entire second half studying like mad to be prepared for the !@#$!@# STAAR tests. My daughter is and has always been an exceptional reader and very bright. She did not blossom like I know she could have this past year and these are the magical years where they are sponges for knowledge before those hormones start interacting. Fingers crossed for next year or else I may have to home school or search out private schools.
I’m so sorry to hear this.
So much depends on the teacher and the relationship he or she has with the students.
I hope Eva has more luck next school year.
I’m so sorry to hear this.
So much depends on the teacher and the relationship he or she has with the students.
I hope Eva has more luck next school year.
I’m so sorry to hear this.
So much depends on the teacher and the relationship he or she has with the students.
I hope Eva has more luck next school year.
Good for you for stepping up to help a bad situation, it seems to be getting harder and harder for children in schools these days. I think the principal should definitely know who her students are, and this might be a good reason to check out a school board meeting and let them know you are not happy and why!
Good for you for stepping up to help a bad situation, it seems to be getting harder and harder for children in schools these days. I think the principal should definitely know who her students are, and this might be a good reason to check out a school board meeting and let them know you are not happy and why!
Good for you for stepping up to help a bad situation, it seems to be getting harder and harder for children in schools these days. I think the principal should definitely know who her students are, and this might be a good reason to check out a school board meeting and let them know you are not happy and why!
wow! that does suck. 🙁
wow! that does suck. 🙁
wow! that does suck. 🙁
How discouraging it must be to have no continuity in the teaching staff for Eva. She is fortunate though, to have great family support to help her through the school years. As for the principal not knowing all the children in her school – that’s unbelievable. Especially with having had you volunteer in the school.
How discouraging it must be to have no continuity in the teaching staff for Eva. She is fortunate though, to have great family support to help her through the school years. As for the principal not knowing all the children in her school – that’s unbelievable. Especially with having had you volunteer in the school.
How discouraging it must be to have no continuity in the teaching staff for Eva. She is fortunate though, to have great family support to help her through the school years. As for the principal not knowing all the children in her school – that’s unbelievable. Especially with having had you volunteer in the school.
I am so sorry for Eva and all the other kids. I was pretty involved at the elementary school my kids attended. I danced around bad teachers all the way to high school. If your school is small enough that there are not any choices you are pretty done for but if there is a good teacher at a grade level have a sit down with the principal and let her know what teacher is acceptable. I knew of one Catholic school where all the kids with parents in the know were pulled and put in public school to avoid the awful teacher. We have to hold educators responsible for the job they do. Hugs to sweet Eva.
I am so sorry for Eva and all the other kids. I was pretty involved at the elementary school my kids attended. I danced around bad teachers all the way to high school. If your school is small enough that there are not any choices you are pretty done for but if there is a good teacher at a grade level have a sit down with the principal and let her know what teacher is acceptable. I knew of one Catholic school where all the kids with parents in the know were pulled and put in public school to avoid the awful teacher. We have to hold educators responsible for the job they do. Hugs to sweet Eva.
I am so sorry for Eva and all the other kids. I was pretty involved at the elementary school my kids attended. I danced around bad teachers all the way to high school. If your school is small enough that there are not any choices you are pretty done for but if there is a good teacher at a grade level have a sit down with the principal and let her know what teacher is acceptable. I knew of one Catholic school where all the kids with parents in the know were pulled and put in public school to avoid the awful teacher. We have to hold educators responsible for the job they do. Hugs to sweet Eva.
What bad luck! Before you mentioned how the principal didn’t even know her I was going to say it us up to him/her to make sure the classes are running smoothly. I was just in a long term sub assignment and it was similar to your kinder experience. I learned so much and tried hard not to disappoint the kids or families. It was really the principal though who asked me to stay to ensure continuity with the class. I felt the kids blossomed but it was a tough assignment for sure. I would talk to the principal to see who she gets next year as they have already done placements. This way you can at least give your input in case they have you set up with something you may not like. Good luck
What bad luck! Before you mentioned how the principal didn’t even know her I was going to say it us up to him/her to make sure the classes are running smoothly. I was just in a long term sub assignment and it was similar to your kinder experience. I learned so much and tried hard not to disappoint the kids or families. It was really the principal though who asked me to stay to ensure continuity with the class. I felt the kids blossomed but it was a tough assignment for sure. I would talk to the principal to see who she gets next year as they have already done placements. This way you can at least give your input in case they have you set up with something you may not like. Good luck
What bad luck! Before you mentioned how the principal didn’t even know her I was going to say it us up to him/her to make sure the classes are running smoothly. I was just in a long term sub assignment and it was similar to your kinder experience. I learned so much and tried hard not to disappoint the kids or families. It was really the principal though who asked me to stay to ensure continuity with the class. I felt the kids blossomed but it was a tough assignment for sure. I would talk to the principal to see who she gets next year as they have already done placements. This way you can at least give your input in case they have you set up with something you may not like. Good luck
Yes, Eva does deserve better. The best part of this story is how you jumped in to help put in a desperate situation last year. Eva will remember that and tell her children about your response to this need. Very cool Nicole!
Yes, Eva does deserve better. The best part of this story is how you jumped in to help put in a desperate situation last year. Eva will remember that and tell her children about your response to this need. Very cool Nicole!
Yes, Eva does deserve better. The best part of this story is how you jumped in to help put in a desperate situation last year. Eva will remember that and tell her children about your response to this need. Very cool Nicole!
I think Eva deserves better from public education but with her apparent zest for life & enthusiasm I am impressed she seems to be overcoming what has been given too her.You do so many nice things for & with her I hope that you can supplement what she needs for a well rounded education! Please tell Eva that I love her picture of her brain!
I think Eva deserves better from public education but with her apparent zest for life & enthusiasm I am impressed she seems to be overcoming what has been given too her.You do so many nice things for & with her I hope that you can supplement what she needs for a well rounded education! Please tell Eva that I love her picture of her brain!
I think Eva deserves better from public education but with her apparent zest for life & enthusiasm I am impressed she seems to be overcoming what has been given too her.You do so many nice things for & with her I hope that you can supplement what she needs for a well rounded education! Please tell Eva that I love her picture of her brain!