Acknowledgement

I made a pact with myself 5 years ago when I was pregnant with my son at this time of year.  I was assigned to Kiss 'N' Ride Duty at the school I was working at.  If you don't know what Kiss N Ride duty is it's a drop off line for kids who are transported to school by car.  It's usually a big cluster-you-know-what and it takes a few staff members to help it run smoothly.  I thoroughly enjoyed this duty, yelling at people to keep moving or, god forbid pass another car in line, out of turn.  Look out, I was like a Nazi.  Every day this mom would drive up in her SUV and talk on her cell phone, not even glancing at her child (or children, I can't remember).  I seethed at her every moment.  I wanted to scream at her, 'Hey! why don't you hang up your stupid phone and ask your kid how their day was?!"  And from that time on, I made a pact with myself, to NEVER be that mom.  Why am I taking the time to write this today? Because I was talking to my sister, who I love to death, but she is a talker!, in the line to pick up my son.  As it got closer to my turn (and his preschool does Kiss N Ride) I start to panic.  She keeps talking, I have no idea what she is saying, I start to sweat, I am going to break my pact, and the teachers are going to look at me like an as#*o!e mom who won't even hang up the phone to pick up her kid.  I  basically, frantically told her I had to go because I needed to get my son and hung up. AHH....I did not break my pact.  Of course, now I feel guilty about cutting my sister off, but she will forgive me when she reads this.  He hopped in the car and began telling me about his day.  I also am able to exchange greetings with his teacher, another important interaction.  But of course not to the point where I hold her up. I know way better than that, like the parent today who asked me in front of 7 other parents how her child behaves.  Really? Well, she is immature, stubborn and dependent on adults.....No, that was not the time to ask a teacher such a question.  However I professionally answered, "We will talk more about her progress at the conferences in November.  Or you can call me if you have concerns."
Getting back to the point, it is so important to ask your child how there day was, and really important of they can recall at least one thing about their day.  It connects you.  So, please put the phone down when you are picking up your child, give them a hug, ask them if they went to the paint center ;), it will make them feel oh so important.  TTFN!

One Person Can Make a Difference

To Go Tumbler

For Teacher appreciation week  I received one of the best, most useful gifts I have gotten in 11 years.
I have been eyeing one of those reusable cups for a few months now, but something won't let me give in.
I was elated to find one in my mailbox from the PTA.  Not only is it a practical gift but it has an inspirational message from Positive Promotions.

"A man on the beach where thousands of starfish lay dying in the sun saw a girl tossing them into the sea, one by one.  'Why bother?' he asked. 'You won't make much if a difference.'  Tossing yet another starfish into the sea, the girl said, 'I made a difference to that one.'

Although I get discouraged on a daily basis with my job, this message is clear.  If I can make a difference in one child's life (even over the course of the whole school year), than I have done my job well.  I have to add a little anecdote about one of my little girls who has told me on numerous occasions that she wants to be a teacher when she grows up and wants her name to be Mrs. Barr and wants to have pencils on her desk like me.  I would say that I have done my job this year.

Teacher Appreciation Week

One time, my dear friend asked me what she should get for her son's teacher.  That may have been the easiest question I have ever had to answer.  No brainer, gift cards.  I am a real teacher and I know what it's like to get all sorts of gifts.  I also know, and I am sorry to have to tell some of you this, but a lot of it ends up in the trash.  A gift card never ends up in the trash.  Don't get me wrong there are lots of practical ideas for gifts for teachers, even a plant or cactus would be nice.  But I don't want a figurine of any sort or a box of chocolates.  I don't even like half of the assortment choices.  I also really don't want bath products, unless you know exactly what I use.  And let me tell you something else, if you don't feel like buying something for your child's teacher, we get it times are tough, but at least get a card or handwrite a note thanking that person for spending valuable time with your child every day. 

Aside: Can I tell you something horrifying I heard around the holidays?  Teachers making wish lists for what they wanted......That is just awful, I am sorry.  I can't remember who told me, but I was completely dumbfounded.  I would NEVER do such a thing, mainly because I work with underprivileged children but also because I find that completely despicable.  I don't even understand anything that has to do with that?  Do they post it on the Blackboard page?  Do they send a flyer home to parents?  Do they post a list on their classroom door?  Seriously...........If it means I don't even receive even one note of gratitude, fine.  I would rather be unappreciated than greedy.  

Even as a parent of a preschooler, I am thinking about next week and something cute my son and I could do for his teachers, but when it really comes down to it, I know they will actually use a gift card.  Some appreciated ones that I have gotten in the past are Target (obviously), Starbucks, and American Express.  I even got an Old Navy one one time, score!  I know this probably seems selfish and impersonal for me to even be writing about, but I am just trying to save you guys time and energy but giving you a little inside information.  We gave my son's teaching staff Target gift cards for the holidays, so now I need to think of something else to give them in the next 48 hours for Teacher Appreciation.