Second after us
parents of course. They spend so much time each day with our kids, and play a
huge role in preparing them for the future and supporting them through daily
trials.
Second grade
presented so many challenges for Boo. On top of the behavioural struggles we
were working on, his ADHD and ODD and medication experimenting, he had four
teachers over the course of the year. Four. That would be tough on any kid, but
for one that thrives on routine and deals poorly with transitions, this had the
potential for disaster. When I realised in September that his teacher was
noticeably pregnant, I almost cried.
You see, she was
incredible. She listened. She was invested in Boo's success (and in the success
of all of her kids). She met with me to discuss strategies. I was her biggest
fan. And then she left. Early. We had a supply teacher for almost a month before
the mat leave replacement came. And then she accepted a new position and we'd
have teacher number 4 after the Christmas break. It all felt so unfair. Where
was the stability my boy needed? But this is just life. (And, for the record,
all of these teachers had been awesome with him - we'd been lucky.)
Ms. F. popped in the
week before break, just to meet the kids. She visited and chatted with them and
talked about how she'd be joining them in January. She learned their names. She
suggested that they could bring in a favourite stuffed toy on the first day
back if they wished. Everything was geared to helping them adjust to the new
normal and make a successful transition. I so appreciated that she went this
extra step, to ensure they would not be coming back to a stranger in the new
year. Ms. F. rocked.
Her gentle (but firm)
approach and dedication to her students was wonderful to see. A few weeks into
the new year she noticed that a few of her students (including Boo) were way
ahead in math. To keep them challenged she had the fifth grade teacher share
some worksheets she could give them. They loved it! Once they finished their
second grade lesson they could try their hand at harder problems, and they were
proud of their accomplishments. It kept them occupied rather than bored, and
acknowledged their growing abilities. And it was completely in addition to her
required work.
Ms. F. was (is) a
wonderful teacher who worked hard to understand her students and help them
succeed. She spent a lot of time with Boo, helping him find ways to cope with
frustrations and situations that caused him to act out. She created a safe
place for him to be alone when things got too much for him to handle in the
classroom. Working with other teachers, the principal, and support staff, she
made sure that Boo had the supports he needed to succeed both academically and
socially. And I am so grateful to her for everything she did!
I'm also grateful
that she took a huge step and returned to school as an adult to get her
teaching degree and obtain certification from the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT). She really is a wonderful addition to the
profession. Did you know that all teachers in Ontario's public school system
must applyfor and receive this certification? The College tracks each teacher's training and
qualifications (what they are certified to teach) and provides their
professional license each year. Just like doctors and lawyers, teachers are
licensed professionals, bound by ethical and professional standards of
practice. Our kids and their education are protected by the governance and
oversight provided by the College.
You can even search
the College’s database by name to find your child's teacher, learn about their qualifications, when they
received their degree, and more. The College provides this public register as
required under its bylaws, listing everyone who has been certified to teach in
the public system. The register also includes information on any disciplinary
actions that may have been taken against a teacher in the past. Having
access to this information, and knowing that public school teachers are bound
by the standards of this governing body provides me with peace of mind.
Ms. F.? I looked her
up. Turns out she not only has her basic qualifications in teaching primary and
junior divisions (K-6), but has additional qualifications in special education.
No wonder she was so amazing with Boo!
Do you have a question for the College, or just
want to keep up to date with education happenings? You can sign up for their
free, electronic newsletter, The Standard, where you'll learn
about education trends and changes in legislation, as well as College services.
As Chair of our school's Parent Council, I'm signed up for this one for sure.
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Disclosure: This post
has been brought to you by the Ontario College of Teachers. All opinions on
this blog, as always, remain my own.
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