We had Marcus's Parent-teacher conference this week. They have trimester's here, so he just his report card just before Thanksgiving. He got A's and one B. My family will understand when I say he got $4 for grades. So, we went in the late afternoon and met with his teacher. She had nothing negative to say.
I am a big baby when it comes to my kids and it was hard for me to keep from crying. Mrs. Decker loves Marcus. She said that she has been teaching for 11 years and children as smart as Marcus only come along every few years. However, Marcus is unique because he doesn't act better than the other kids. She said often the "smart kids" get bored, act out and are mean to the other kids for being dumb. On the contrary Marcus helps the slower kids and is so patient. He gets excited and spreads it to the others. Mrs. Decker thanked us for how we have raised him. I wish that I could take credit, but it is all him!Andy commented that he wished he treated Anneke as well as his classmates. Marcus's teacher was surprised because he talks about sharing books and stories with her all the time. The end of the interview the dreaded words came, "I can't wait to have more of your children in my class." Anneke is not Marcus and luckily has not had to follow in his shadow yet. They have each had teachers that fit them individually. I don't like when people expect her to be like her brother. I think that is my pitfall with her, I thought all children were like Marcus because he was first born. A bit unfair, I think. ;)
On a side note: Santa (Mr. Jensen the Vice Principal) came to Marcus's school and brought him a $15 toy. We exchanged it at the store because it was a professional wrestling toy. Every child in Marcus's school got a similar priced gift. The Wynn casino donated them. In a bad economy, you would think that this would be one of the things to go by the wayside, but apparently gift giving is alive and well and that is a relief.
4 comments:
I'm so proud of our little genius. I can't stand it when people compare children. ALL children are different, and good teachers know this. I believe (and I hope) that her intent was that you are good parents, and she knows that any of your children will be as easy to work with and well-behaved (no matter their intelligence or activeness level). Take it as the compliment that it is, and know that children like Anneke are few and far between as well, and any teacher will be blessed beyond words to be allowed to teach such an amazing little girl.
All four of my girls were so different. Julianna was ALWAYS the teachers favorite. Sara never was. And yet they have both become wonderful adults. Sara in particular learned so much from her less than positive experiences in school and she is so compassionate now.
I feel that one of the biggest problems with our school systems has nothing to do with what is taught in the schools, or even how much parents are involved. I think the biggest problem is that average students are ignored. Gifted students receive a lot of attention and resources. Students with major disabilites get the rest of the attention and resources. My feeling is that students like Marcus are going to be just fine. (Marcus more so than most because he seems to possess that rare and valuable quality of humility.) If a little more attention were given to students like Sara, just think what they could achieve. Anyway, that is one of my soap boxes.
My advice, Heidi, try to avoid having the same teachers that Marcus had for Anneke and Luke. For better or worse, they always have expectations and it is so much better to let your children develop their own relationships with teachers. I always prayed all summer that my girls would get the right teacher, and I (usually) accepted who they got.
You have every right to brag! Yeah for you and Marcus! We don't have grades here... it is a new point system. I like it. Eventually it is suppose to be a state wide thing.
Yeah! I loved reading about Marcus, and I love how you recognize each of your children's individual (and valuable) traits! You're a great mom. Thanks for posting this!
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