mark james
IAP Collection, Curator
NOTE: If you're not into "Warming Stories..." Stop now.
So, for the last 2 weeks this student's Mom has stopped being chatty, no small talk, quick drop off at 6:15 AM and after school pickup. I suspected something was up.
"Chuck" has been with me for 2 1/2 years - now he's 10. He gets his medication at 5:50 AM at home, and it starts to kick in around 7:30. School is at 8:15.
So from 6:15 - 7:30 he usually is rolling on the floor, crawling under the tables, throwing toys and grunting like a dog (It's OK to smile at that - HE does).
He was sent packing at 3 other child care centers prior to mine.
I rearranged my schedule to open the center and be there at 5:45 to get him through the mornings. A daily challenge, very intensive 1:1 until 7:45 - them he is the sweetest kid you could want! And it has worked!
This AM Mom said today is his last day, he's going to "a residential center;" she would not share where. He is aware that when students leave my center I make them a pen... he was in tears... He knew I usually take a few days and he has seen the 4 earlier this year.
My "Carry Pen" the last few weeks has been this:
Not my best example. A great blank from Old Fox, fit is fine, but I had not pained the tube, so the brass shows through. But the mechanism is very nice and that's what I've been throwing into my pocket.
I pulled it out and the smile I saw was 10 miles wide. Done deal.
Final choker... As he was getting out of the van at school, he came back to the passenger window, waited until I rolled it down and said:
"Mr Mark, now who's gonna help me stay cool in the mornings?" The only thing I could say was "Chuck, just remember how we did it. You'll be fine."
I don't know how the rest of you penturning teachers feel, but over the past 30 years the kids I worked the hardest at with their behavior were the ones I miss the most.
So, for the last 2 weeks this student's Mom has stopped being chatty, no small talk, quick drop off at 6:15 AM and after school pickup. I suspected something was up.
"Chuck" has been with me for 2 1/2 years - now he's 10. He gets his medication at 5:50 AM at home, and it starts to kick in around 7:30. School is at 8:15.
So from 6:15 - 7:30 he usually is rolling on the floor, crawling under the tables, throwing toys and grunting like a dog (It's OK to smile at that - HE does).
He was sent packing at 3 other child care centers prior to mine.
I rearranged my schedule to open the center and be there at 5:45 to get him through the mornings. A daily challenge, very intensive 1:1 until 7:45 - them he is the sweetest kid you could want! And it has worked!
This AM Mom said today is his last day, he's going to "a residential center;" she would not share where. He is aware that when students leave my center I make them a pen... he was in tears... He knew I usually take a few days and he has seen the 4 earlier this year.
My "Carry Pen" the last few weeks has been this:
Not my best example. A great blank from Old Fox, fit is fine, but I had not pained the tube, so the brass shows through. But the mechanism is very nice and that's what I've been throwing into my pocket.
I pulled it out and the smile I saw was 10 miles wide. Done deal.
Final choker... As he was getting out of the van at school, he came back to the passenger window, waited until I rolled it down and said:
"Mr Mark, now who's gonna help me stay cool in the mornings?" The only thing I could say was "Chuck, just remember how we did it. You'll be fine."
I don't know how the rest of you penturning teachers feel, but over the past 30 years the kids I worked the hardest at with their behavior were the ones I miss the most.
