Child's Advocate

It is so hard to transition from being a COMPLETELY non-confrontational person to someone who has to stand up to people in order to advocate for our children. David and I have been concerned about Wade's teacher since this summer when his 1st grade teacher told us who he was going to have. His 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Johnson, is the kind of person that does not talk about anyone badly. I don't think I've ever heard a negative thing come from her mouth. She was sooooooo wonderful last year and Wade loved her. She was also concerned, but would not say that directly. She just kept telling me "It will be different." We decided just to be praying about it this summer and we would see what happened when school started. After all, we are a family that believes in giving people chances and allowing benefit of the doubt.

Meet the Teacher Night (Tues before school started):
We took Wade to school to meet his teacher and take his school supplies. This teacher has been a sub for many years, and this is her first year to actually teach. We walked into her classroom and she did not greet us at all. She did not introduce herself until after David introduced himself to her. Funny thing is, we were the only people in the room at the time. Talk about awkward. When David asked her a question about the one school supply we were unable to find, she answered back with a very rude "Yeah?!" Another thing that bothered us was that there was absolutely NOTHING on her walls. No decorations or anything. There were no name plates on the desks, etc. BUT, the real kicker was the fact that she never spoke to Wade. She did not say "hello", introduce herself to him, or say "goodbye." YIKES! I was nearly in tears. (I cried later that night when Wade wasn't around.)

There have been several other quirky things that have happened so far. Too many details to really explain so that you can have the whole picture, but please trust me that this woman should probably not be teaching!!! We have a good friend from church whose son is also in this class and she has already dealt with a major incident with her son. In both cases we each have been lied to by this teacher. CRAZY!!!

David met with the principal yesterday who was very supportive. She told David that she has a responsibility to her teachers, but the most important thing to her is the children. She knows Wade and that he is a very smart, but also tender hearted little boy. We are concerned because Wade absolutely LOVES school, but it is only the 2nd week of school and this past weekend we were having to listen to him crying saying he didn't want to go back to Ms. Nelson's class. David and I both agree that we will not allow our son to start disliking school and losing his passion for learning due to an inept teacher. The principal was supposed to have talked to the teacher today. David will meet with the teacher next Monday and then the principal will meet with David again in 2 weeks. She said that if we are not pleased in 2 weeks, she will move him to another class. Please pray for this situation that David and I will have wisdom and peace and that whatever is best for Wade will happen.

ON A VERY POSITIVE NOTE:
Last week Wade took a test for advanced math placement. He tested into 3rd grade math. He goes to a 3rd grade class for math everyday! He is very excited and loving it so far. When David met with the principal yesterday, she told him that Wade was 1 of 3 children, grades 1-4, in that whole school that tested into advanced math. Incredible!!! Math is definitely his subject right now. He asked us the other day if he could just test into 3rd grade on all of the subjects and move to 3rd grade all together. :)