I began doing kindergarten interviews this week. Each child comes into my class for some one-on-one time. I walk them around the classroom, talk with them about the things they're interested in, and do some "work" with them to find out if they know their colours, can draw a person, can identify their name, and count with one-to-one correspondence.
One little girl won me over the second I saw her coming down the hall with her Papa:
She'd gone out for a lunch date with my dad, and was so proud of her tights. She handed me a letter the moment she came into the classroom. It read:
Dear Mrs. Pinkerton
Please be kind to my little grandchild because she's only four years old, and still a baby in so many ways.
She really felt grown up as she put on her new shoes and tights, and felt she could still run in them.
I've combed her hair so pretty and found a tiny barrette so she would look cute for her teacher. I know she'll be happy at school because her mommy is her teacher.
Love and hugs, Nanny
Miss Violet wowed me with her grasp of the concepts she'll need coming into Junior Kindergarten (I already knew she'd ace the interview!). My mom's letter to me made me cry, so I got her back by sending THIS letter back to her with Violet (I give a copy to all the mothers on interview day):
The First Day
I gave you a little wink and smile
As you entered my room today.
For I know how hard it is to leave
And know your child must stay.
You've been with your child for four years now
And have been a loving guide,
But now, alas, the time has come
To leave her at my side.
Just know that as you drive away
And tears down your cheeks may flow
I'll love her as I would my own
And help her learn and grow.
For as a parent, I too know
How quickly the years do pass
And that one day soon it will be my turn
To take my child to class.
So please put your mind at ease
And cry those tears no more
For I will love her and take her in
When you leave her at my door.
When I got home, mom had tears in her eyes and said she couldn't read it until just before I returned from work.
Ah, the bittersweet nature of firsts...
What a beautiful post. I have tears in my eyes as I write.
ReplyDeleteSeptember is such an emotional month!
Big sniffs! I need to find Aylen a teacher just like you when she goes off to school!
ReplyDeleteOh, where's the kleenex ?! I've held it together all week, and now you've made ME cry too. My little man started school this week, like Jude, and my little girlie goes to preschool for the first time this morning. A lot for a Mom to handle in one week!! Violet looks so happy, and how wonderful for her to have her Mama as her teacher. So sweet of you to share this. And I should add that as I cried, I also laughed because my Elsie's main concern this morning is also the tights. It's all about the tights :)
ReplyDeleteNow I'm crying. What a lovely letter you send out! Violet looks awfully proud. Enjoy school, little one!
ReplyDeleteI have that aching tight feeling in my throat and ears and although I shed a few tears, I know that this dam is about to burst!!! LOVED this post and can remember that feeling of being so little and leaving your mama behind and trusting your teacher so much. What a privileged job you have to be the keeper of others' children in such an important role as teacher.
ReplyDeleteOh! Yep, I am crying too. At the end of the school year I wrote a letter to my daughters Kindergarten teacher and deeply thanked her for being there for my daughter when I was not and caring for her in all the ways that she did..not just about her education, but her emotional, social, and personal growth too. I know how grateful I was for her presence in my daughters life and learning, and I am sure that other parents feel the same way about you too. Thanks for being so wonderful at what you do...such a treasure.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, this is so sweet!
ReplyDeleteAll of those little (and big) 'letting go's that we parents are blessed with. Bittersweet indeed. But lucky, lucky YOU getting to be that pixie child's mama AND teacher. I know it's still a letting go, but at least you are getting to watch her grown in school too. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a wonderful portrait of the two of you. Miss V's expression is AWESOME in its four-year old impishness!