User post: Saying thanks to a great teacher

I really try not to brag about the children's school accomplishments and grades. I don't like to brag about student achievements for several reasons, but I will just share the top two. First and foremost, I want our children to understand that we are proud of who they are, not what they do. I think basing a child's self-worth on academics is dangerous; a house of cards. One bad test or report card can bring down the whole thing. The second reason is that I refuse to fall into the Mommy Trap of, "My kid is smarter than your kid can ever hope to be". I think that moms exchanging blow for blow comparisons of children's school or sport performance is warped. Trying to hang your title as "Awesomest Mom" on your child's grades is at best petty and probably damaging. But, notice that I said try not to brag. I am still human, so forgive me this hypocrisy. I think you will understand why I am suspending my "no brag" policy momentarily.

Maggie was named Star Student of the month in her class. The title has more to do with positive behavior than skill or grades and comes with several perks. This month, Maggie gets to sit in a special "bear chair" by the teacher, is the official classroom helper and can sit by the teacher at lunch. In addition, I get to go and read a story to the class (one of my absolute favorite things to do in life!). Now, I know that Maggie was chosen because we will be moving over the semester break and her sweet teacher wanted to give her this honor before we move, but all Maggie knows is that she did it!

The real reason I am sharing this news is not because I am bursting with pride (which of course I am), but because of the remarkable effect this title has had on Maggie. Being the Star Student has been her goal since the first day of school. When I congratulated her yesterday, she grinned and said, "I worked really hard, Mom, and Mrs. Evans is so proud of me for working hard. I have to listen and do all my work neatly and quietly. I saw Mrs. Evans smiling at me while I was working and I knew she was going to pick me!" It isn't about me being proud of her. She is proud of herself. I swear, she walks with her head higher and her confidence level is through the roof (not that confidence has ever been a problem for her!). Even more remarkable, she is working harder now on her school work because she doesn't want to be "fired". Maggie has just learned that hard work pays off. She sees herself as a successful and hard working and smart member of her society. That is worth bragging about!

Leaving Mrs. Evan's class may be the most difficult part of this move . I think that the goal of a good kindergarten teacher should be giving students a positive learning experience. A good kindergarten teacher shows children that learning is fun and gaining knowledge is its own reward. Mrs. Evans understands that and excels at making each school day exciting and fun. Maggie would rather be set on fire than miss a day of school. There is no way to adequately express my gratitude to Mrs. Evans for providing such a positive start to Maggie's school career. Maggie walked into that classroom the first day a little nervous and unsure, but she will walk out knowing that she is a bright and capable little girl. There is no way to measure what her fist experience with school will mean to her as she moves through life, but I am going to go out on a limb here and predict that she will continue to value school and learning because of Mrs. Evans influence. I make this prediction with some confidence because I know that my love of learning was born in Mrs. Tringas's first grade class. My current love of history and reading (okay, obsession) is directly linked to my third grade teacher, Mrs. Ring. It was also Mrs. Ring who first sparked my interest in writing by pretending to like my volume of poetry about, prepare yourself, Teddy Roosevelt. I recognize in Maggie the spark that has been ignited by Mrs. Evans and I believe that spark will become a lifelong fire for learning. That leaves me with a lifelong gratitude for Mrs. Evans.

I hope that there will be some teachers who read this and recognize the kind of difference they can have on a student by simply saying "way to go". I hope there are teachers who read this and recognize their own excellence in the story of Mrs. Evans. Mostly, I hope that the teachers who read this are able to get a sense of the profound gratitude parents have for the teachers who get it right every day. And maybe, if a teacher who is less than outstanding at motivating students reads this, he or she will take something from this story and use it to improve. The positive influence of a great teacher cannot be over-estimated. Kudos to Mrs. Evans and the other stand-out teachers across the country.

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