Im a super slacker

I had good intentions for the thankful post a day thing....I really did. Life got in the way, I guess. I need to catch up on other blogs too, Im pretty behind.

Today I am thankful for good teachers. Last night was parent/teacher conferences and I am so impressed with A's teacher this year. Last year was a struggle. Hubs and I were sure the teacher had a screw list, as she tried to convince us to do the Connors test for ADHD for A. We were pretty certain he did not have this problem because the behaviors she was constantly complaining about, we never saw...or very seldom saw. So, because it was only in HER environment, we didnt have him tested. This is the teacher who refused to use any behavioral modification techniques to solve the problem...too lazy, I think. We kept telling her that he responds well to having privledges revoked. We would have done it at home, but she wouldnt tell us on a weekly basis how he was doing, like we requested. We were beyond frustrated. This year, new teacher and its a whole other story.

I LOVE this teacher. She communicates well with us. She sends a WEEKLY report about behavior home with him. She uses a behavior card system, where a child starts out on green every morning, which is no problems, and can go to yellow for warning, a orange for refocus, to brown, a call home, to black, a visit to the principals office. Alex has had an orange card ONCE, a yellow card a couple of times and the rest....he stays on green. We gave him the incentive of receiving a special treat every Friday if he stays on green, and it has worked. Drugs? He didnt need them obviously. What he needed was a teacher who has a clue. A teacher who clearly lays out her expectations to her students so they have no question about what she wants from them. The last teacher wouldnt even say anything to him, just complain to us at conference time. AND he made student of the month last month. Have I said I love this teacher. She too is amazed when comparing the kid he really is to the kid last years teacher made him out to be in her little notes in his file. Ugh. If I had another kid young enough to get her again (if she gets her job back...she was laid off in the cutbacks)...I would make it very clear that I dont want my child in her class. I mean she is the epitome of lazy to me. Am I being a little unfair, maybe...but Im irritated.