Zoe taking notes. I thought this day was years away…
At the end of last semester, I was on pins and needles because I was not sure if Zoe would get the same teacher that Amelia had for the 2nd grade. Imagine my delight when I got the confirmation that Zoe was in her class! And despite a rocky start to this school year, caused by lots of changes and the school raising the bar for my daughter, Zoe has simply blossomed in this teacher’s class.
Great teachers grow amazing kids!
While I know that thanks is also due to her use of an iPad and software, supplements, the atmosphere of the school and her AMAZING aide, I also know that this teacher seems to view children with a kind eye. She doesn’t see a “problem child,” only a unique kid with a few problems that her team needs to help her to learn to solve on her own (not just doing it for her). Zoe is a valued member of the class, even though she struggles through behavioral issues. I love all the teachers at Zoe’s school, but this one brings extra passion to her job, her care for the students and her enthusiasm for even small steps of progress. She truly makes Parent Teacher conferences a pleasure – and there isn’t a mom with a kid on IEP in the country who wouldn’t give anything for that.
I’m looking forward to the next parent / teacher conference…weird, right?
At our school, teachers are given creative reign to involve the kids and get them truly learning – by doing things like having them act out science concepts. This year, Zoe did the “speaking” – with her iPad – and acting part of performance of how a seed grows in a team project. Zoe has been that growing seed, all year long. I have no doubt that her teacher spends time making sure all the beautiful kids in her class grow and bloom. All around the country, teachers are doing innovative things in their classes to spark their student’s imagination. We are lucky to live in this place, have this school and the funding to make it fly. Our kids get to plant real seeds around the school, but in places like a big city, great teachers, like Stephen Ritz from the South Bronx, have to go outside the box to make their kids bloom:
Great teachers change schools for the better.
Every year, hard working teachers like ours and Mr. Ritz spend money out of their own pockets to help our kids, especially in places that are underfunded. You can help them do more by donating to the teacher in this video or to a local teacher in your own community. Help these kids to “put that seed in the ground and watch it blossom!” as Mr. Ritz says.
Office Depot and Adopt-A-Classroom, a nonprofit organization that helps connect donors with teachers to enhance the learning environment for students, have partnered to raise awareness about teachers, and all that they do in the lives of their students. Thank YOU, teachers and Mr. Ritz, for watering, nurturing and growing our children so that they can blossom into amazing adults.
Gina B says
I think, for most teachers, you can walk in a classroom and get an idea of what they spend and how much time they invest! I’m always bedazzled by classroom, personally, but I didn’t used to know they buy stuff themselves. It’s amazing.
adrian small says
This is why it is important that schools to choose teachers with a good teaching ability. So when a child who needs that extra help its so important that child gets that one to one help like you say there not a problem child but unique.
Gina B says
That is true, but honestly? I’VE never met a bad teacher. They all know their stuff, they all get into it because they value children and care about our future. Each has a different approach and I honestly think, each teacher is suited to a different age group. I have 3 teachers in my extended family, all loving, caring and passionate, from them I’ve learned how the restraints and workload “required” for teachers is hurting them and in turn, hurting our kids. Are there bad teachers? Like every profession, sure, but I honestly don’t think there are that many. After, no one goes into teaching for the pay or the glory.