Penultimate Day of Kindergarten

Since penultimate is one of my favorite words, I had to use it for this post. Teddy's in his final days of kindergarten, and this year has been filled with so much good. We've been extremely fortunate to have a team of people who adore Teddy for who he is and want nothing but the best for him. 

This was one of the e-mails I sent this week to his primary teacher, the one who voluntarily works with Teddy and others who have equally challenging needs day after day. She chooses to do this as her profession. Well, at least she chose it, but she's retiring this year. I swear it has nothing to do with Teddy.

Hi Sarah,

I know this is your last year at Franklin, and Teddy will definitely miss you next year. Transitions are always a challenge, and we're so glad you were Teddy's teacher for his first year at Franklin and technically first year fully in the school system as opposed to the early childhood program. We have appreciated so much your communication throughout the year, which has been constant and given us insight into at least a portion of his days. That helps put us at ease and facilitate conversations at home about what he's learned and done at school.

You've worked so hard with Ms. Thoma this year to have Teddy included and integrated with his kindergarten peers. That was such a challenge for us in the past, so this year has been wonderful to have that happen regularly without us constantly needing to push for it. Teddy is such a social little dude who loves to be around others and learns so much from them, even if he still does try to sit on them or plow right through them at times. Watching Teddy interact with his peers is truly a joy when I've been on the field trips or at school to see how much they enjoy having Teddy a part of their day. It's incredible to see their excitement to have Teddy included match Teddy's excitement to be included.

We appreciate the effort put forth on academics, but what truly matters most to us is that Teddy is accepted, loved and celebrated for the amazing person he is and encouraged to be his best self. You've absolutely done that through the year. Even when Teddy had a rough day, you always focused on the positive aspects of his day while acknowledging the challenges. It's clear that you've seen potential in Teddy from the first meeting and have worked to help him flourish. We have never doubted your absolute care and commitment to Teddy.

There's so much more I could say, but I wanted to make sure you know how much our family appreciated you this school year. We wish you the best of luck with your next endeavors and hope your daughter is able to get the support and stabilization that she needs.

With so much gratitude,

Kerry

Do you know how good it feels to be able to write something like that and mean every word? This teacher approached even Teddy's most challenging days, where he was a tired, miserable cuss, with empathy and positivity. 

The other letter I wrote was to Teddy's kindergarten teacher. She's the one who didn't necessarily commit her career to teaching children like Teddy, but she embraced him into her classroom with open arms.

Hi Beth,

The letter today made us smile and will go in Teddy's memory box for sure. I'm not sure if Sarah has gotten it to you yet, but there's a Dr. Suess book Oh the Places You'll Go! floating around school for Teddy's team to sign for him. We started this when he started school to capture the memories and thoughts of his team along the way.

But I wanted to take a few minutes to thank you for all that you've done for Teddy and our family through the year. Last year it was a constant struggle for us to get Teddy included with his typical peers, and this year you embraced Teddy right from the start. I remember meeting with you the first day of school and walking away ready to cry because of how it was clear that Teddy belonged in your class from his spot at the table, to his poster to create to the extra supplies you had for him.

I know that including Teddy in your classroom presents additional challenges and that it didn't always go as planned. I know there were times that Teddy created a bit of that chaos that follows him when he sits on his friends or plows through his friends or doesn't share appropriately. But giving him the opportunities to be included, to work on learning from his mistakes and to learn from all his friends has been wonderful.

I can't imagine a kindergarten teacher who plans more fun field trips than you, and you made sure Teddy was included on every one. Again, his behavior isn't always appropriate for the entire duration, but I know that he absolutely loved being included on every single trip. 

Teddy is such a social little dude who loves to be around others and learns so much from them, even if he still does try to sit on them or plow right through them at times. Watching Teddy interact with his peers is truly a joy when I've been on the field trips or at school to see how much they enjoy having Teddy a part of their day. It's incredible to see their excitement to have Teddy included match Teddy's excitement to be included.  

Your efforts to educate his friends about Teddy will go a long way as they grow older. They're at such an accepting age that having Teddy included now will pave the way for their interactions with others who are different from them in the future. I know Teddy learns from his friends, but I believe they learn from Teddy as well. 

You've set the bar high for his first grade teacher next year. We truly appreciate all you've done for Teddy and us as his parents.

Thank you,

Kerry

These ladies have set the bar high for his future teachers, including the one I met this afternoon who's replacing his regular teacher next year. I know that as we get closer to the start of school, that back-to-school anxiety will creep in because of the unknowns. But for now I'll treasure the blessing that has been this year and look forward to Mr. Theodore's kindergarten celebration tomorrow.