My kids recently heard me talking about my desire to go back to college in a few years. They find it very funny that I would go BACK to school at MY AGE! Some of the recent comments they have made:
Brevan: So when you go back to school, will it be at an old person school?
Me: What do you mean?
Brevan: Well, for old people like you who aren't just out of high school.
Lindsey: Mommy, are you going back to school so your kids don't have to explain everything to you all the time?
Brevan: (after asking me a question about mechanics that I couldn't answer) Mom, you are definitely not smarter than a fifth grader.
Wow, apparently my children have stolen some of my brain cells over the years. College will definitely be more difficult the second time around. When I was finishing up my associates degree many years ago, there was this "new thing" called the "World Wide Web" and every student was given something called an "e-mail account." I remember sitting down one day to figure it all out, and decided it was just a waste of time. Who needs the "internet" to look up a phone number when I have a perfectly good phone book at home? And why use e-mail, when I can send a letter in the mail, or better yet, just call on the phone (because I have their number in my phone book at home!). My, how times have changed. I'm guessing that young college students typically have a laptop for taking notes, considering they've all known how to operate a computer since the age of three. Taking notes on PAPER much seem so old-fashioned to them! I wonder if pre-teens these days even pass silly notes to each other anymore? I'm guessing that text messaging has taken over the need to write bubble letters on lined paper, fold it up in a cutesy way, and wait for the teacher to face the chalkboard (do schools even have chalkboards anymore?) so the note can be quickly passed between giggly friends.
Alright, so maybe my kids are right about me being an "old" college student.
I was recently contacted by the KC Northland Chamber of Commerce, and asked to answer some questions about Lisa Haney, my children's Gifted and Talented teacher, who was recently nominated for a prestigious award. This was quite the challenge for me, because I was writing for highly-educated people (no offense to the highly intelligent people who read my simple blog!). I had to use words that are not often in my toddler-vocabulary! Well, this is how it turned out:
Give a specific example of how the nominee has shown excellence in the classroom.
I have two children in the Gifted and Talented program, Brevan (age 11) and Brynlie (age 8). Lisa Haney, the GAT teacher, has been such a tender mercy for our family. Being a gifted child often brings added challenges in life, and Lisa treats each child in her classroom with complete respect and admiration. My oldest child has Aspergers Syndrome, and Lisa has such a desire to understand him better. She has held special meetings with me and my husband to discuss Brevan's special needs, as well as speaking often to his regular classroom teacher, speech teacher and the district's Special Needs Director. My husband and I both come from families where our parents were educators, plus my husband was a middle school teacher for 8 years, yet we have never come in contact with a teacher as remarkable as Lisa Haney. My children literally come alive in her classroom. They feel fully accepted, important and talented. Lisa makes them feel proud of their intellectual achievements, and gently pushes them to achieve more. My children love that she is flexible in her schedule, patient at all times, plans interesting lessons and field trips, and makes them feel completely comfortable in the classroom (including letting them take off their shoes during reading time!). When my children have encountered frustration with the regular "growing pains" of youth, they have turned to Lisa Haney for advice and reassurance, and she has helped them solve their problems and feel loved.
Give a specific example of how the nominee has shown excellence in dealing with parents.
Lisa is wonderful at communicating with the parents of the GAT children. She makes phone calls, sends out emails, and has even made house visits.
Last year she started a Book Club for the parents of her GAT children, where we could discuss specific needs of our children, and what has worked well in parenting them. It was a great forum, where we all learned new ideas and felt supported in our concerns.
The first few years of Brevan's school experience were often stressful and traumatic for him, because his special needs were not understood by the staff of the elementary school he attends. That all changed when Brevan was accepted into the GAT program, where Lisa took him "under her wings." She helped the other staff members see Brevan as an intelligent, gifted child, instead of a "problem" child. At times she has called and informed me of difficult situations Brevan is involved in, because the regular teachers haven't contacted me. Instead of jumping to conclusions like many teachers do, she has made sure there is open communication between all involved parties, including myself.
Give a specific example of how the nominee has shown excellence as a leader in the work place.
Lisa also communicates well with the regular classroom teachers of her GAT children. This past year, a new program was implemented where each child is excused from their regular classroom once a week to spend the day in the GAT classroom, as opposed to the previous years where the children attended the GAT classroom for one hour each day. Many teachers were concerned about he new program, because they felt the children would get behind on their regular class work and homework. Lisa met with them many times, listened to their concerns and helped come up with solutions that would work for everyone.
Give a specific example of how the nominee has shown excellence outside the classroom.
Lisa Haney does not only show her love for the GAT children during school hours. She is genuinely interested in their extra-curricular activities, and welcomes interaction outside the classroom.
At the end of the school year, Lisa has given my children her home phone number so they can keep her informed of all the interesting things they are doing in the summer. when my children have been sick and had to miss out on the fun activities in the classroom, Lisa has come to our house to give them the supplies to do the activities on their own. Lisa recently attended a community music concert my children were involved in, and always gives out her address in October so her students can trick-or-treat at her house.
The best example I can think of where Lisa has shown excellence outside the classroom is the day she was so concerned for my son, who was dealing with high anxiety and depression at the time, that she called him at home. She has a special gift of being a calming influence in people's lives, so she was able to help Brevan calm down his anxiety and had him laughing within minutes. She has truly been a miracle in our lives at times.
It is difficult for me to adequately express my love and appreciation for Lisa Haney. She is very deserving of being honored for her excellence in teaching.
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