Friday, December 11, 2009

Resolved

In my last post, I wrote about my son's speech teacher (Mrs. D) and how she began our parent-teacher conference inappropriately.

Personally, I don't like confrontations, never have. My stomach gets all twisted and knotted inside and I cannot eat. I have to make an effort to focus on tasks. But, I knew I had to do something about that comment. I left her a note asking her to call me. When she returned the call, I was not home and she sounded puzzled as if she had no idea why I wanted to speak with her. The ball was then in my court and I placed a call to her. After trying to reach the teacher, the school secretary took a message. Finally, last Friday morning, she and I spoke. I wanted to go in and meet with her face to face. However, she pushed the issue and I had no choice but to speak with her then. Thinking about the situation, it didn't matter if we spoke in person or not. I started off by saying, my son has made wonderful progress in his speech and articulation. I added that my son also initiates conversation, whereas he never did before. Then, I added, but I want to help your relationship with him and his relationship with you. Up until that moment, I had no idea how I would handle the problem. She had to have had a "heads up" because when it was her turn, she apologized profusely and admitted she should have found another word for "whining". I wanted to say, "Well, yeah, ya think?" but, I retrained myself. She told me that he plays nicely with the other children in the session and how he helps them with certain things. Mrs. D. continued our conversation with her admitting she was wrong and thanking me for speaking with her directly about this. Seriously, I could have gone to the principal with this, but I chose not to. I truly believe in going through the proper channels and "telling on her" would not have solved anything. In fact, (while it is unlikely) it could have made the situation worse for my son.

I'm not one to give myself a pat on the back, but I did for this one. I showed Mrs. D. I was looking out for the best interests of my son and proved that I wouldn't be walked on and take comments such as the one she used. All the while using appropriate language and teaching her that even parents can be professional.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

November

Well, it has been a busy month. I survived my first Book Fair, parent-teacher conferences for the Mayor and Computer Boy and Thanksgiving with my Mother-in-Law. But, now I'm sick, I'm fighting laryngitis. Just great for a professional singer...(she says sarcastically).

I can't complain about the Book Fair. Scholastic delivered everything as promised and the Friday prior to the event we set up the room. A fellow PTA member, Donna, helped out. Donna is very efficient and when she does a job, it is done well. Many people don't like her, because she is opinionated and while she is knowledgable, when she shares information she sounds as if it's her way or no way. Personally, I don't mind her. It might be due to the fact that she is so informed. She is truly a wealth of information. Or it may be because I only have had to directly deal with her this year.

Book Fair was held on three mornings the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving. Students only have half days that week due to the fact that parent-teacher conferences are held in the afternoon.

While I am on the subject...parent-teacher conferences. As expected the Mayor is doing very well in school. In fact, I would have been extremely surprised if she hadn't done well. My son's...let's just say...didn't go as smoothly. The classroom teacher offered CB's speech therapist the opportunity to speak first. She started by saying my son whines. Yes, you read that correctly. She would have been better off starting off on a positive note. How he's made progress with his language. I'll be honest with you, I know why he whines. He senses that she deson't like him. That's right. A boy with social difficulties, on the autistic spectrum, knows when someone doesn't like him. I digress, that comment made me feel as if a black cloud was hanging over the rest of the meeting. The classroom teacher offered her the opportunity to leave, but she said she would like to stay. I didn't think anything of it, but she probably was just being nosy. I will speak with her about this, I haven't decided if it will be face to face in a meeting or if it will be on the phone. Part of me, wants this to be over with and discuss this on the phone. However, the other part of me wants to look her in the eye and confront her on this (nicely, of course). Unlike her, I will start of a positive note and then get into the fact that her comment, while true, made me feel uncomfortable in an already "tense" situation. Any suggestions or comments on how to handle "her" are welcome.

After Book Fair and my parent-teacher conference, Thanksgiving was uneventful. Since I sang Wednesday night and Thursday morning, we went out to a restaurant for dinner. My meal was very nice, the children were behaved and best of all, I did not have to cook or clean afterward. :) An added bonus, my mother-in-law behaved herself. She didn't embarass anyone by screaming across the room for the server and made polite converation. It was a pleasant day.