Monday, November 29, 2010

School Conferences........Oh. Dear.

The boy’s teacher said it so casually that it took a few moments for me to muster the appropriate shocked response.

“In all my 13 years of teaching I have never had a student make me want to crawl under a rock and hide.”


Oh. Dear.

My brain raced.

This sounded like it could be bad.


The teacher continued, “It was the first day of school. I had a new student that didn’t know anyone. I knew your boy from chess club last year. I knew he was a good kid. And so, I asked your boy to accompany the new student around during the first recess.

One hour into the new school year, in front of the entire class, your boy looked at me and refused. Without pause, he said, ‘No thanks. I’m not that good with people.’”


Oh. Dear.

Yes.

This might be bad.


“Imagine my shock. One hour into the new school year. My authority already challenged. And… the new student. I’m sure the poor kid wanted to crawl under a rock too.”


Oh. Dear.





The teenager’s teacher said it so casually that it took me a few moments to realize she was serious.

“I’ve got a real problem with your teenager in my class.”


Oh. Dear.

My brain raced.

This sounded like it could be bad.


The teacher continued, “Your teenager is not living up to her potential in my class. She is not contributing like she should.”


Oh. Dear.

Yes.

This might be bad.


“Imagine my shock when I read her first paper. She had wonderful, well thought out ideas. But, in class, she is very quiet and never speaks up. I need her to start speaking up and sharing her ideas with the class.”


Oh. Dear.




One kid spoke up. One kid never spoke.



When confronted, the boy who spoke up to the teacher explained, “What? It’s true. I’m very shy.”


When confronted, the teenager who never speaks in class explained, “What? I can’t believe she would say that! I’m a good kid. I don’t see what the problem is! I get good grades and I wish you would just get off my back. I don’t have time for this. I have too much homework. What is for dinner by the way? What? I’m so tired of pizza. Do we have any pasta? And do we have any cider left? That was some good stuff. You should get some more the next time you go to the store. Oh, by the way, basketball practice ends early tomorrow night. And guess what my friend told me. She twisted her ankle and might not be able to play. And she also said her cat just died. I told her that I was sick of my cat waking me up in the middle of the night. Hey! Can we turn the TV to ESPN? SportsCenter should be on. Boy I hope it snows. I really don’t want to go to school tomorrow. I have a test in history. Oh man. I can’t believe she said I need to speak up. I suppose it’s true though. I really don’t raise my hand at all. I’m very shy.”



Oh.

Dear.




Check This Out!


The newish Elton John/Leon Russell album, The Union, has been much enjoyed by the Slightly Exaggerated family in recent weeks. Produced by T Bone Burnett, the superstar John and the superstar of the past, Russell, have created what can only be called “good music”. Great songwriting, fabulous piano, and solid, interesting vocals make this an album you should definitely check out.

For more info:

Read this.

Or watch this.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ha. What's a parent to do? Funny.

calimom said...

Leave it to the boy, a male, to be a man of few words. Leave it to the teenager, a female, to go on, and on, and on.....

olderthaniwas53 said...

Oh, you could have it so much worse. The stories I could tell you about my kids. I'm lucky they both managed to graduate.

bonzaiflyer said...

Kids...glad they're yours ;) On the end note, saw Elton John and Leon Russell in concert last month here in Asheville. Very cool show.