Today was awards day in the Brookhaven School District. Hayden is an old hat at this game, but it was Lily's first year. She couldn't quite wrap her brain around the concept.
We have been lucky enough to have beyond excellent teachers every year since Hayden started school. They have each and every one been special and such a blessing in my kids' lives. This year was no exception.
I have been friends with Jennifer Hutson for quite some time. We are scrapbook buddies and we also are in the same Sunday school class. I love me some Hutsons. But, I have never been around Jennifer in a professional capacity for any length of time until today. She taught Lily this year and by the end of the awards program today, it was easy for me to see that she not only loves her job but loves and really cares about every single student with whose education she has been charged. What a huge task and awesome responsibility. She has been the reason that Lily learned to read this year. And quickly. And the reason she made all A's in math. She put great pains, along with her terrific assistant, Mrs. Ashley, into compiling a book that really shows the progress of each child over the course of the year. Bi-weekly journal pages in the child's handwriting about relevant events for the time. Such a treasure. And I KNOW how time consuming something like that is. Jennifer, if you see this, just know that I have a new level of respect for you. You are a great friend. But you now also have a special place in the life and memory of my youngest child. And that is extraordinary indeed.
Of course, my little prodigy also had a great year. I've had to listen to almost daily whining about how bored he is. How he "already knows what they're trying to teach me." It has been a challenge. But I have seen progress in him as well. Whether he knows it or not. His reading is off the charts. His reasoning is, well,...probably better than mine. He adores his English teacher. And, knowing her outside of class, I can see why. His math teacher has been more of a challenge. But, challenges are to be expected. His science and homeroom teacher, Mr. Huey - what a guy. He was cracking me up at the awards. And it was evident he has such a good rapport with the students. A really good guy, a Christian, and just the kind of role model I want for my kids. Hayden came away with the highest grades in the entire fifth grade for both language arts and science, a citizenship award, and a couple of others that I forgot in the shuffle.
Now it may seem that I am just bragging on my kids. Which I guess I am. But all Mamas like to do that at least a little. But I do have a point. And that point is that we have a great public school system in Brookhaven. And no matter what anyone says, it is because of the teachers. Sure, the parents have to be engaged and involved. But the teachers are the core. The center around which this whole machine turns. And if we don't have good teachers - teachers who care, who see the big picture, whose main objective is for our children to learn in a healthy environment - the whole thing will fall apart.
I did not attend the public schools in Brookhaven. I am a product of the private school system. Larue graduated from BHS. We made the decision together to send our children through the public school system. I have been thoroughly satisfied with the teachers and, mostly, with administration. I believe my kids are getting an excellent education. I do worry about how that will play out as the junior high years approach. But, I think that has as much to do with development of adolescents and attitude that is inherent with that age group as anything. I want them to be challenged, especially as they approach high school. I don't want them just getting by. Programs that encourage that should be nurtured and expanded. And that can't be a cookie cutter program.
You may think I don't know what I am talking about. And maybe I don't. But we have a similar concept in medicine. Some call it "cookbook medicine" whereby patients are treated according to an algorithm based on their symptoms or diagnosis. While not inherently wrong or bad, this approach doesn't allow much for individual patient differences and nuances. Financial resources. Education levels. Potential for adherence. This is the reason I think the teachers need to drive the method of instruction. Yes, they should be given realistic goals. But they way they get to those goals may not be a straight path. And that path should be found by the teacher and the individual student.
There has been a bit of an uproar in our city the past few months over whether or not our current superintendent is to blame for a decline in ratings in our city schools. A precipitous decline. I don't know enough details to know where to lay the blame. But I do know that it appears teachers - good, experienced teachers - are fleeing our school system. That pretty much tells me what I need to know. Yes, we absolutely would like to see excellent scores on state tests. It appears it is mandatory in today's world. But I firmly believe that the way to get there should be dictated by the ones who are distributing the knowledge and are in the trenches day in and day out. And that is our teachers. Not administrators sending down untested, unrealistic ideas and orders from a glass castle. But the ones who know our kids and have the experience to determine the best methods to depart knowledge specific to the subject and the population to whom they are sharing that knowledge. And that population is our kids. My kids.
I don't know what the outcome of the school board meeting will be next week. I plan to attend just to be educated. I don't really have anything to add to the debate at this point. And, honestly, I think my kids will be fine in the end. I do worry about the kids that need extra attention or don't have the support at home to do well. Those are the kids that will get left behind. Looked over. What a tragedy that is.
I just pray that teachers like Mrs. Hutson, Mr. Huey, Ms. Nations, and Mrs. Brown will stick with it. I think it is worth it. I know they think it is worth it. And those are the type of people we need educating our children. And if you have children in the district - or even if you don't - pray for guidance for our board. For patience and a kind heart for those attending. And for the superintendent - whatever the outcome may be.
Besides, today's kids will be the ones making decisions about what to do with me when I'm old, senile, broke, and Medicare is no longer solvent. But that is an entirely different post.
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