Comments on: Scary Pumpkins

By: Kittymama

Kittymama — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:18:20 +0000

Mr. Kittymama is an elementary school nurse. I’ve volunteered to help him do hearing and vision screenings. Really little kids, the neurotypical and chromosomally standard ones included, are shy and confused and won’t pay attention. And when they use shapes instead of letters on the chart, a lot of them don’t even know their shapes. They suggest they can call the heart an apple, if heart seems an unfamiliar shape. I said, “Or a butt,” and he said there really was a kid who called the heart shape “cow butt.”

On the other hand, I could read starting at age 3 but no one realized until second grade that I was terribly nearsighted and needed glasses desperately.

By: Tricia

Tricia — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:55:11 +0000

For some reason, those capital-T tough kids do often end up grouped in one class. The joke at my high school is that counselors must have personal vendettas when they build our schedules. Usually when administrators are scheduling observations I have one class in particular to which I invite them: “Wanna see me earn my money (millions though it’s not)?” I ask. Maybe it’s different in the teenage years, but I almost always end up loving the capital-Ts the most.

During Savasana one time, the yoga teacher waxed on about “those” people in our lives, and how they are our true teachers. That meditation changed my life (at least with respect to dealing with capital-Ts). Now when I’m about to enter a pissing contest with one of them, I can say to myself, what are you here to teach me? It’s usually something I really need to learn.

Amy, I love how you “get” teachers, and in getting them, you support, empathize, and stand in awe. Thanks, man.

By: starrlife

starrlife — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:06:57 +0000

I’m not sure those tests at school are very accurate, in my experience but those are good things to keep up with anyway.
You are such a good mom- coffee for the teachers! I wouldn’t be a teacher if they paid me millions!

By: stacey

stacey — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:05:09 +0000

My son failed his hearing tests around sophie’s age as well. It turned out to be more of an attention thing and less of an actual hearing thing. He does not have ds by the way. I think most kids at that age have problems paying attention.

By: maya

maya — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:15:56 +0000

It really is the toughest job, in my book. And I’m not just saying that because I come from a long line of teachers. And it is thankless, because everyone thinks they can do it and do it better.
I have SO had that feeling, of being glad to leave.
It is kind of nice to learn your kid isn’t the “problem” though, isn’t it?
And Starbucks coffee for all the teachers? You must be everyone’s favorite mom.
Sorry about the vision/hearing thing. Isn’t it pretty easy to fail those though? I mean how high tech could the school tests be? Maybe she’ll do better when tested at a different setting.
I dread glasses for the kiddo(s), though I’m blind as a bat and I don’t have DS, so I know it’s coming, eventually.
BIYB. Miss you!