A Wonderful Teacher

I got an email from Alyssa's teacher today. Here is a little about what it said:

Hi Gerri,

Hope all is well. I have been trying to figure out what is going on with Alyssa. Don’t get me wrong, she has had good days, or I wouldn’t had sent home the sheets. Her work is done correctly, most of the time, she plays well with others, homework is in, etc. Tell me if I am correct with this....is she looking for attention? For about the last three weeks I have noticed this...I don’t get the directions/instructions out and she has her hand raised. I have been telling her, wait until I finish listen carefully, and then if you have questions I will answer them. She raises her hand at the oddest times to tell me things, but for the most part they have nothing to do with what we are doing at the time.

This was my response:

It is all about CONTROL!!! I think she may be just trying to see if she can get you to repeat yourself! It is a control thing and what you are describing is a big part of it. We are seeing ALOT of it at home also.

What do we do? I don't know other than to say that we both have to remain in control. How we do that, I'm not quite sure. I have gone through my usual bag of tricks and nothing has worked. We had therapy last night and she suggested that we try saying, "Alyssa, this is important, can I have your eyes". and then wait for her to look at us, and then give her the instruction and then have her repeat it.

Maybe if we both pull her aside and lay down the law. Just tell her, this is the way it is going to be. If you break the rule and interrupt at inappropriate times, you will receive X consequence. No 2nd chances, no "forgetting", this is the way it is. If she does it once, maybe she looses a recess, if she does it twice, an added consequence at home? I really don't know, but at this point, I am willing to try anything.

So, my daughter's wonderfully understanding, caring teacher responds with this:

I will give her the law, there is questions once I have given final and complete details. She must have eyes and ears on me while I am doing so. I will let you raise your hand, but if it is about something silly, or about what I just said or wrote you lost a recess. I don’t want her afraid of asking questions, but I know your feeling of GOING NUTS! You lay the law there, and I will here. I love her dearly, but she can’t win. Maybe JUST maybe once she sees that at home, and school it might just fit in place for her.


Motherhood...gotta love it! :)

M

My daughter, my family, is very lucky to have this wonderful woman in our lives. We have been truly blessed because not only does Alyssa have her this year, she also had her last year, AND, because of class re-structuring, will have her next year as well!

God is Good!