We got K~’s 7th grade class schedule yesterday. The good news is, she didn’t get Mrs. F~, or Mrs. S~ (her teacher from last year who was supposed to teach 7th grade science this year). Or that’s bad news - if you’re K~ and you were really hoping to be homeschooled. I’d been praying all week and basically decided that if she got one or more really bad teachers, we’d go ahead and home school; but if not, we’d give middle school another chance. I haven’t been able to get detailed info on all her teachers yet, but so far we know she has a really good math teacher (a miracle right there) and her Language Arts/Social Studies teacher and Science teachers are both young; this will be their 5th year of teaching. I’m hoping Young = Excited About Teaching And Willing To Try New Things. Her Science teacher is in the reserves and has been to Iraq for a year stint at least once. The weird thing is K~ said the 6th graders who had him last year had a “goodbye” party for him near the end of the year last year. Would they give her a teacher who’s off in the military - or rather, put his name on the schedule and then give the class a sub for most of the year? Obviously I’m going to need to figure that out. I don’t know anything else about the LA/SS teacher yet, but for now my plan is to contact her (call? email? go in? What do you all think?) and offer to help in the class one morning a week while Zeeb’s in pre-school. I’ll do anything - correct papers, make copies, tutor kids - I just want to get in there and have a chance to get to know this teacher and her teaching style. Language Arts is K~’s area of strength and I hate that it was completely wasted last year. And’s that’s the game plan, for now at least.
***UPDATED TO ADD: I just spoke to our neighbor (and her 9th grade son) … they couldn’t believe what a great schedule K~ got. They said her LA/SS teacher is “the best in the school” and the Science teacher is “cool” and the boy liked him a lot. And when I told them about her math teacher they were literally taken aback. My neighbor said, “Holy cow! You got the trifecta! Those are the best teachers she could get!” And all I could say was, “wow, I guess prayer works!” Seriously, I am just amazed… if these teachers are half as good as they say, K~ will have such a better experience this year. It’s not gifted-quality classes, but it’s the best we could hope for in this district, and for that I am so grateful. ****
Meanwhile, Hubby said he’ll send some resumes out to Denver companies this weekend. But he’s not happy about it. He just started a new position at work and I think he was hoping to be done with looking for jobs for a while. And the idea of getting our house ready to sell, put it on the market and finding a new house in Denver isn’t appealing to him much either. I understand, I really do, I just don’t see what options we have. We could stay here and do nothing, but the school district is not going to miraculously become a bastion of gifted education - we’d be stuck with the status quo, which is just not acceptable to me. But I keep praying, in case there’s a local option I’m just missing. I’m trying really hard not to do that “Here’s what I want to do - God, can you bless it?” thing that I tend to do. I really want to know we are following His lead, and not the other way around. The thing is, how do you know? I mean, where did the idea for Denver come from in the first place? Was it divine inspiration, or just random web surfing? I guess at this point I have to prayerfully leave it in God’s hands… I mean we can’t move unless Hubby gets a good job offer, so that would be a pretty clear sign one way or another, right?
In the meantime, it’s our very last weekend in August. And it’s like 60 degrees and cloudy out. Lovely. Regardless, we shall do our very best to have a nice relaxing weekend enjoying the fact that the kids don’t have homework or soccer games or any other responsibilities. Who knows when that’s going to happen again?
August 25, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Well, at the very least it sounds like you have a plan and that’s a good thing. I’ll be praying for you too!
Volunteering is a great idea, is K open to that?
August 25, 2007 at 7:03 pm
You never know what God is going to do in your life!! But wouldn’t it be nice if He wrote it all out for us?
Just pray (it’s worked so far!) and do what is right for your whole family, and I honestly believe God will take care of you.
Volunteers are rare in MS, and I bet that teacher would love some help, but I echo what Kate said above…is K~ open to that? Why not wait and see how this teacher works out first? Just my opinion. Good luck!
August 26, 2007 at 5:23 pm
I’m thinking about volunteering a little in my K~’s class too, just to get the real scoop, but my husband is not hip to the idea. He thinks the kids will misbehave more if I’m there, so we’re not in agreement on that. I am going to see what the teacher thinks about it though, and maybe still give it a try.
August 26, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Oh, and I meant to add, how wonderful that your daughter has a good schedule for the year.
Some of the high school age “gifted” kids I know (e.g. my cousin’s kids) take classes at the local college, but they are in high school. Probably too soon to get your daughter involved in that, but just an idea for in a couple of years to inspire her.
August 27, 2007 at 3:27 am
Praying for God’s best for your whole family, you and hubby included.
August 27, 2007 at 1:12 pm
I don’t have kids, so I can’t imagine what you must be going through. But I am a believer and I KNOW how hard it is to descerne God’s will and what we think his will should be. From my experiences, you just need to prayerfully consider every aspect and if something comes and you and hubby feel like you have both prayed about it with a humble and open heart, you go with what you feel is right. Unless of course he sends a sign or something, you know - burning bush, bolts of lightening, all the things that you wish would happen to you to make it crystal clear!(too bad he doesn’t normally work now like he did in the O.T.)
I’m sure you know all of this, sometimes it helps to hear it again. I know I can always use another friendly reminder. Good luck and i’ll be praying for you!
August 28, 2007 at 5:05 am
It’s so hard to know what is meant to be and what we just plain WANT. I would agree that a job offer might be a big sign!
Glad K has some good teachers this year. I can only imagine how much more difficult things get in those later grades, especially dealing with multiple teachers. Sounds like things are off to a good start for the upcoming year!