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Today is my boy's last day of school. He's looking forward to staying up late, sleeping in, playing in the pool and doing kid stuff. But he's going to miss his kindergarten teacher, as will I. She's been ideal for us as parents, and for Jack as a new reader and sometime-behavioral challenge. She has called me to check on Jack everytime he's stayed home from school. She's warm, funny, affectionate, encouraging, accepting and a strict disciplinarian. Her passion for science, nature and books has encouraged the same in my son. For Christmas Jack was thrilled to buy her, and us, a new birdfeeder.

Jack and I were with her in her classroom one morning this week when all the other pupils were gone. She saw two boys from last year's class and called them in to hug them good-bye. As Jack and I stood by quietly, one of the boys reminded her that she'd cried when she had to say good-bye to him for the summer last year.

Jack learned the meaning of "bittersweet" this week.

 

I remember leaving school was often a bittersweet thing (until I got to High School, which felt more like being released from prison). I went to private school for most of my childhood, and I really enjoyed it. Most of my teachers were much like your son's teacher, and I really loved learning from them. I still sometimes see my old teachers around town and always run up and give them a hug and quick update on my life. It's amazing what an effect the right teacher can have on a child's learning in general. My good teachers made me love learning from them, and they can probably take credit for much of my desire to learn. On the other hand my bad teachers made school a chore. They forced so much monotonous busywork down my throat that I began to despise learning by the end of High School. I'm glad to see you got a good teacher for your son. It looks like she had a very positive effect on him.