"That didn't just happen."
"Did I just get homework from my daughter's principal?"
"I think I did."
"Do I walk around with book reader stamped in on my forehead?"
"Do I walk around with one who is always learning stamped on my forehead?"
"Did I just get homework from my daughter's principal?"
"I just got homework from my daughter's principal!"
"It's not a small assignment, it's to read a whole book!"
I had a great meeting with my daughter's principal a couple of weeks ago. I've had some concerns about her learning, we've done some tutoring and wanted to get some support through school with something we finally found helpful for spelling. I requested some testing be done and the results were what I expected but to be truthful, I was hoping to find an explanation and didn't besides she didn't learn how to spell in the right way for her. It's a tricky conversation to have when you also teach in the district. I just wanted to review some thinking with him and I really enjoyed our conversation and his willingness to realize we needed to keep momentum going with combination of school and home being united. We are blessed to have a great team of teachers working with her this year, also.
I never expected to leave with a book to read! He had just finished reading Drive by Daniel Pink and offered for me to read his copy. I offered to buy my own version and he declined, handing me his copy. I said I had a couple of books to finish first and he said, "no hurry." As I read the blurb and the introduction, my appreciation for our meeting grew deeper. I think he quickly listened and thought this book might be interesting to Mandy as a parent and a teacher. He didn't know I was a reader. He didn't know if I would follow through or did he? One day, when I return this book I'm going to ask, why did you give me this book to read. I'd love to know his point of view for why I got homework from the principal!
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You got homework from a parent-teacher conference???? Please follow up after you read the book. I would love to know the relevance of the book to the spelling difficulty.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed, as a teacher, exchanging books with my former principal. We usually approached life from different points, (we didn't always get along!) but both appreciated a well written book- fiction or education based. We left each other post-its to read, and it is something I miss. I love thinking that I might be able to have such an exchange with my children's teachers.
ReplyDeleteSomething you said must have given you away as a fellow reader- we always recognize 'em, don't we?!
ReplyDeleteI think it is great he gave it to you! It is great book --give it a go. Can't wait to hear his answer.
ReplyDeleteClare and Tammy
At least he didn't ask you to create a diorama of your understanding of the book. :-) He sounds like an educational leader, not just a principal of a building. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of when my daughter's doctor has given me books at the end of visits. Always makes me wonder WHY.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of this book, but still can't connect the 'why' this one, unless he knows you are a thinking teacher who has a broader outlook than some. It's kind of a compliment, Mandy. Hope this all works out especially well for your daughter!
ReplyDeleteNow that's a principal who leaves you thinking...I've heard great things about this book.
ReplyDelete