Monday, February 14, 2011

On conferences ...



So for Eli I have a once a year conference with his reading specialist, his teacher and the principal. He's on what's called an IEP ... Individual Education Plan. Basically because he's .. you know .. gifted. Gifted as in .. behind grade level. Gifted as in ... below average kid. That's cool. I actually would rather have him in that program. He gets extra kick ass help most every day. I like to keep him on the - watch more TV .. study less ... don't eat a good breakfast... go to bed super late so you're tired in the morning program. I dig that help he gets at school. Helps me as a parent I think ...right? I'd hate him missing out on it ...

Anyway .. back to the conference. His teacher this year is Stacey Bengston. If anyone out there goes to Flagstone and has a 3rd grader coming up.... you'll want to fight to get this chick. I mean .. she gets kids. REALLY gets kids. More importantly .. she gets my Eli. Do you know Eli? He's a hard kid to be a teacher to. Ask his last year teacher (remember the 'dear' one?). How many principal trips did he make? Four? I lost count. Honestly though ... I think a teacher can really make a difference. He likes her. She's good with him but also doesn't put up with his bullshit. He knows it. I know it. We are all on the same page. Not to mention ... I like her as a PERSON. Yeah .. she's my age .. gorgeous .. funny ... real ... forgiving... what's NOT to like?

Anyway .. back to the conference. It's a once a year deal. To assess where your child is .. the progress they have made ... old goals .. new ones ... etc. You get the picture. I also like his new reading teacher this year. Again .. he likes her too. He didn't like last year's. He told me one day "mom .. Mrs. *** doesn't like me". When a 7 year old says that ... it's because they FEEL it. I truly believe this. He didn't preform well for her. Who would .. when you feel unloved? I don't think she "got" him like these new teachers do.

Anyway .. back to the conference. The principal wasn't there ... (mostly because she probably thinks Eli is a rock star and her services weren't needed. That or she thought I'm a rock star and could just take her place). So it was just me .. his regular teacher .. and his reading teacher.
It was a good conference. That was the first I've met the reading teacher and I pretty much adore her. I think she's going to propel Eli into catching up to his peers (she's not quite on the same keeping-him-behind program that I'm on). They say he's a typical boy. Who doesn't understand the point of learning. Who doesn't understand why he can't just play all the time. Who doesn't get what's so important about paying attention. Who doesn't stay on task very well. Who doesn't stay focused on school when he finds it unnecessary.

Anyway...back to me. On task? Focused? Huh? Can we talk about shopping instead because now I'm starting to yawn.

What can I say? He's a little me. On the move.

Hopefully his good looks and charm can propel him through life ... and he'll make millions, not because of his wisdom .. but because of his people skills.

Anyway ... back to after the conference. SO I look down at myself as I'm getting into the car and laugh. I seriously went to that conference dressed like I'm 17. Ugg boots .. with capris camo pants ... complete with a Hollister sweatshirt. I have a feeling they both took one look at me and said "OHHHH ... I get it ... she had him when she was 10 ... yeah, no wonder..."


Until next eval... I'll wear slacks and a button up shirt. Put on some makeup ... maybe even take my hair out of the cheerleader pony tail. I'll look 20 years older ... and wiser. They will take one look at me and wonder where this child Eli came from. Then they will think "ahhh .. must be the father's fault"...



1 comment:

Shay Brackney said...

You my friend, crack me up! So you -- the ughs and capris. Camo no less.