Teacher Tributes

What made our school year so great? Our teachers! I couldn't have hand-picked better people to teach my kids. Braylen really enjoyed having a male teacher this year. Many times he told me that the girls in his class had it their way for 5 years, and now it was the boys' turn. :) He said his teacher taught things in a hands-on sort of way. Boys learn better that way. Or so I've been told. Another bonus? Braylen's teacher attends our church. I love it when our school world collides with our Sunday morning. This teacher prepared Braylen for middle school and beyond, and I'm so thankful for him! He's also a Cubs fan. :)

Braylen's teacher did a lot of co-teaching with the other 5th grade teacher, and she's pretty special to us too. She's been a family friend for more years than I'm aware of, watching Derek grow up across the street from her house. When we moved here and started our family, she came to my baby shower. She gave me our stroller, and she even lived near us. Almost every night she'd walk by our house and Braylen would wave to her as a baby, and then as a toddler. How fun for Braylen to be one of her students this year! On the last day of school she sent a note home in Braylen's backpack. She said, "I've waited since you were a tiny baby to be your teacher. You made it worth the wait." I told you she's pretty special. :)

Aaron's kindergarten teacher has a great name. It reminds me of "Mrs. Frizzle" in the Magic School Bus books. :) She taught Kaleb's kindergarten class too, so we were familiar with her. She sets clear expectations for her students and expects them to be followed. I remember my kindergarten teacher as a kind grandma. Aaron's teacher is not a grandma, but she is kind. :) Kindergarten is not about crayons and finger paint anymore. Aaron reads chapter books and does mental math now, and I have his teacher to thank for that.

Where do I begin with Kaleb's teacher? Many, many times Kaleb told me, "I love school because my teacher is so cheerful." Kaleb literally bounced in and out of the building each day, and it's because of his teacher. One of her themes for 3rd grade is, "Be the best you can be." She lives what she teaches, and Kaleb noticed. He grew up a lot this year. When math challenged him, he worked harder. When he needed to meet his reading goal, he brought books home--I didn't have to find the books and check them out at the public library. For Kaleb, this was a very big deal. This teacher lavished gifts on her students all year long. Framed poems and pictures, student-made gifts for parents, personalized gifts, postcards mailed to our home...Kaleb's bedroom is full of 3rd grade! She went above and beyond in everything, and if I described it all I'd be up all night. I might sound like I'm exaggerating, but I'm not. Kaleb's teacher took Kaleb and helped move him from a boy who thought he couldn't, to a boy who thinks he can. I know I'll always remember this year as a turning point for Kaleb's confidence, and I have his teacher to thank for that.

Our school is so great--because of our teachers. I'm so thankful for such an amazing year!!!