Peace Out, First Grade

Today is the last full day of school before summer break.  Let the fun begin!  I was expecting my 7 year old to be really excited for summer, and she is.  She's talked about summer camp a lot the past few weeks, and she cannot wait to see her favorite camp counselor, Robbie.  "You know, mom, the one that goes to our church."  She loves Robbie, and I'm excited she is excited.  There is an ease about things when you know your child has no apprehension towards the future, and summer camp is supposed to be fun!

I, on the other hand, have no summer break.  Because I was a slacker when I was younger, I force myself to go to school year round, so I can finish my degree before I'm 35 older.  Last night I got home early from class, and was very excited to be able to sneak into my girls bedrooms and wish them good night.  It was 8:30, and I knew they wouldn't be asleep quite yet.  I went into little G's room, and her face lit up with excitement!  "Mommy!  I need a stuffed animal!"  I tucked her newest Scooby Doo beside her, bundled her blankets around her, and gave her a big hug and kiss.  Sleep sweet, my baby.  I then snuck into P's room, climbed up her loft bed ladder, and felt like I was on the pages of "I'll Love You, Forever."  She rolled over, said "Mommy?" and burst into tears!  Now, in our house, we've been struggling with the attitude of 7 year old P, and immediately I was worried she had gotten into trouble for something, and in my excitement I hadn't gotten the low down from her dad.  When I asked what was wrong, she said, in between sobs, "Tomorrow is the last day I ever get to have Mrs. Thomas as a teacher!"  Oh, break my heart!  We talked for a few minutes about how Mrs. Thomas is a great teacher, and that even if P can't have her as a teacher any more, she can still write her letters, and she can still see her at school.  She shared her fears of second grade, and I assured her that any person as smart and vibrant as her would do exceptionally well in second grade, and she seemed to be put to ease, at least enough to sleep.

This morning, during our normal routine, she shared again with me how she was going to miss Mrs. Thomas.  I shared with her that Mrs. Thomas was a very wonderful teacher, and how it's obvious that she has impacted P's life, and how lucky P was to have had her.  I shared with P that she will forever remember Mrs. Thomas, like I remember my second grade teacher, Mrs. Litwiller (she was amazing.  She read us Amelia Bedelia books and was so kind.  Every year she would dress like the teacher from the book Miss Nelson is Missing and I believe she is the reason I love reading.  She also had the most beautiful cursive handwriting I have ever seen.  I did not get my handwriting from her.).  P informed me that I had to stop talking about Mrs. Thomas, because I was going to make her cry again.

My heart breaks for sweet P.  The whole year she has told everyone in contact with her that she LOVES her teacher.  "She even gives us candy," she whispers occasionally.  "She's young, dad, not old, like you."  "Mrs. Thomas does drive a Porsche, mom.  I've seen it in the parking lot."  "She's beautiful, and so nice."  "She's always very nice to me."  "She's the best teacher ever.  She never gets mad at us if we mess up."  These are a few of the comments I've heard about this wonderful teacher over the past year.

I'm so thankful that P had the opportunity to have Mrs. Thomas this year.  While a teacher's job is to educate children, Mrs. Thomas has been one of those few gems that hasn't been jaded by the system.  She genuinely cares about the children in her class.  Her rules aren't just rules, but foundations for lifelong happiness and productive citizens.  Her adoration towards her school children is returned, I'm sure at least 27 times each year.  And, right now, at P's 7 year old status, if my daughter adores someone, I can't help but adore them, too.  Her patience, with an overabundance of children, is something to marvel at.  Her spirit has always been so uplifting, as a grown woman I gravitate towards her.  She's made learning fun for my P, and has fostered a genuine desire to know more.  While P will always love Mrs. Thomas, I will always hold deep regard to the first grade teacher who helped mold my daughter. 

Did you have a teacher you loved in grade school?  Have you experienced the other end now that you're a parent?