We got off to a very shaky start this school year. Princess had a great week, made lots of friends, likes her teachers, etc. I hope first grade continues to be good for her. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for little Bug. First day of school his teacher tells him in front of all of his friends to stop tearing his socks. That’s the first thing he tells me when he gets in the car. As you can imagine, I was heart broken and then angry.
How could a teacher do this to a child, any child, special needs or not? No child deserves to be embarrassed any day but how much damaging and difficult to handle is it the very first day of school. There was a reason for his tearing his socks but rather than ask us why like we told her to do she took it upon herself to take it out on my little Bug. I asked little Bug how it made him feel and he looked down at the ground and said in a soft, quiet voice, “lonely” “all the kids were looking at me” Sure enough, the next day my little Bug didn’t want to go to school.
Tearing socks is how my little Bug copes with stress and anxiety when he’s in school. I mean honestly, what does she think was more important to me, the dumb pair of replaceable socks or crushing my son’s very kind and delicate spirit? He tries so hard to make sure everyone likes him and does the very best he possibly can.
I made phone calls, sent emails and met and talked to other staff members when my request for a conference went unheard. Do they really think, I would not find out or allow it? They need to know who they are working with, they need to hear what I have to say. They need to know all they can know about my little Bug and what he likes, doesn’t like, etc. to be able to teach him effectively in a calm manner that will help him progress and be a strong part of this classroom this year. We have to work together or we fail him this year and I can’t and won’t let that happen.
© 2009, Nanette Gomez. All rights reserved.
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