Honesty Is Always the Best Policy : Part 2

    ……and what was this teacher going to do with her first graders concerns?   After conferring with my husband, it was decided that he would make an appointment to see the teacher.  This was our first (and no, not last) foray into “childhood education concern-ville”.  I had recently read an article about schools integrating yoga into their P.E. classes and I was convinced the Circle of Concerns was a mystical first step into transcendental meditation.  (Did I mention that due to the very recent birth of Wil, my hormones were through the roof?) Needless to say, John was more than willing to get to the bottom of this, what was probably a harmless, situation, to ease my mind.

   Unfortunately, when he returned home, I could tell he had more concerns than when he left.  As it turned out, this particular teacher was keeping her class in from recess to conduct her “Circle of Concerns”—light out—candle in the middle of the circle—OF FIRST GRADERS!!  INSTEAD OF RECESS??  Evidently she was very abrupt with my husband and none too pleased that she had been questioned about it.  According to her, hers was the only first grade class that had adopted the practice.   It was something she started with the blessing of the Principal and she was kind enough to offer John the chance to take it up with her.  He was more than happy to oblige with the added caveat that when the appointment with the Principal was made, she, the teacher, would be in that meeting, as well.

   We had been so spoiled to his Kindergarten teacher.  She had been stellar and we had expected nothing less from this teacher.  No, initially, this one  had not been as personable but, neither had she been a nightmare.  As we sat across from the principal’s desk, she assured us that, although the other classes were full and we could not move him, she felt certain we could work out the issue.  My heart began to lighten as we awaited his teacher’s arrival in the meeting.  I envisioned us forging a bond that would bring us together in the common goal of educating our eldest…Until she walked in the door.

   An empty chair sat to my immediate right and it was the dirty sneaker that first caught my eye.  The dirty sneaker on her foot, that whizzed by my head.  The same dirty sneaker, connected to the leg, of which she hiked over the back of the chair next to me.  With a masterful leap frog maneuver she plopped down in the chair beside me and folded her arms across her chest, all professionalism hopping right out the window.  Two things crossed my mind: #1 This is not good.  #2 This is really not good...(to be continued)