The Sausage Machine

I have not written for quite some time now. Life gets a little hectic with 4 boys at times. This week is the last of the first term and we can take a step back and breath a bit. This week has also been Parent/Teacher interview week. With term one under our belts I set off to meet the teacher of 3 of our children.

Lets start with Samuel in grade one. He has had a tough term. Although he can do all the work and is more than capable in the class , he is a little boy who lacks self- confidence. Having walked the road we have with Sam , both Doug am I are not at all surprised at how he is managing with life in grade one. What is a surprise though, is the care and kindness; wisdom and insight his teacher has shown towards him. To put it mildly I was totally blown away by her perception and her analysis and her solution. She is a gem and we are grateful to God for providing Samuel with her.

Thomas' teacher is a fairly new teacher with great ideas and a fresh look at teaching. Her positive attitude towards Tom and her interest in him was very impressive indeed. I was also very impressed with her willingness and desire to know about ADD . She was interested and helpful and keen. Another good experience.

And for the finale, I visited James' teacher today. James has our first experience of a male teacher and I was a little daunted by the prospect of chatting to him. BUT .... what a great experience. This is a teacher who is on the ball. He was insightful and caring and full of good ideas and character analysis. I was really very impressed indeed. He was easy to chat to about our concerns and all in all it was a grand and very encouraging experience....

I end with this.....

A growing sadness had begun to develop and take root in me. I had begun to feel as if this sausage machine of education was ... well ... just that - a giant sausage machine. A nasty machine that was simply not able to recognize and nurture the child as an individual with his or her gifts and talents. And in part it is that but this week I had my faith renewed in the individuals we call teachers who work and care for our children each day. I was reminded that teaching children well is indeed a calling and we have many who are called and who are doing a fine job. This blog is written to salute you and to say thank you. I am grateful to our heavenly father for each of you who are partners with us in helping our children to be who God has made them to be. I know that it is not an easy job and nor are you perfect but I am so encouraged that you do see the individual and you do see their gifts and talents and weaknesses. You see them for who they are and you work for their good. The sausage machine has a few kinks in it....