Baby Waider + Little Brother Too: Mrs. K.

Dear Baby Waider,

Each year around teacher appreciation or within that general time frame I like to take a moment to highlight all of the great things about your teacher for the past year. I'm always in so much awe regarding how much of an impact teachers have on my own children. It seems odd that it surprises me at all given the fact that I have been a teacher for 21 years and lots of parents have shown me much appreciation over the years. Cards, gift cards, cookies, wine, water bottles, and coffee are common appreciation gifts from parents all so very grateful for all I've done for their child. I don't think much of it because I'm doing a job I love. I love the kids and their families and it honestly is my great honor to do these things. I used to hate when teachers would say this, but as a parent, I am completely in awe of all that teachers do for my own children.

Mrs. K. was someone who will inevitably be etched into your brain as one of your favorite teachers. School is and probably always will be your jam. You seem to love to learn, read, help others, and do math. Mrs. K. carefully balanced having you do your best and pushing you while still allowing you to be a kid with singing and dancing. You soared academically and had fantastic growth in math and reading. You also found a deep love of writing and creating lots of different drawings just for fun.

Academics are important and as a teacher, I love seeing test scores increase. (I cannot lie. I want you to do well on tests even though I want to not value test scores.) Mrs. K. created a magical classroom for you. You had an absolute blast with everything. She shared a piece of her life with you and even had her husband, Mr. K. sub! You loved to hear about her dog, Patty, and truly fell in love with reading through her read-aloud of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. You have always loved working with numbers, but Mrs. K. made you feel like a true math genius because of how well second-grade math clicked for you. She let you do pick-a-projects, fake news stories, dances, and singing. You are always pretty serious at school, but it was always so much fun to see with Mrs. K. with a big grin on your face.

It was fascinating to have you be in Mrs. K.'s class because not only was she your teacher, but she was also my co-worker and had been for two years previously. I loved Mrs. K.'s energy and had mad respect for her dedication to the job. Mrs. K. is amazing at self-evaluation. She's always working to see what she can do differently or better. I love her tenacity and willingness to give her students 110%. Last year we were able to do team teaching with two classes in the same room with two teachers teaching. We did a lesson together which was amazing because I was able to spy on you as a student. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. You worked so hard and put your whole heart into the project. We were researching animals. During the lesson, Mrs. K. said something that has stuck with me because it completely embodied her as a teacher. She said, "I'm giving this much. (She signaled with her hand well above her head.) I am asking you to give me the same. I'm giving you 100% of what I've got and I need you to give me the same. If you give me the same you will learn, but you have to meet me there." Teaching with Mrs.K. has made me a better teacher. It's hard to work alongside someone who is so motivated and not do the same. She taught you the value of giving your all during the school day. Your academic gains proved that to be true. She was a fantastic role model for you.

My first principal, Mr. Olson, loved to give nuggets of information. It's amazing how much I've drawn from that advice to lead me in my life. He said that teachers are the best during their third-fifth year of teaching. They know enough to know what they're doing, but they are still humble because they haven't been at it very long. I am so so grateful that you got Mrs. K. as your teacher during that time. She came to your dance recital, basketball game, called you during quarantine, and talked to you on the phone as you skated around the culdesac. She was your biggest cheerleader and encouraged you to help people out when you see they needed you. Most recently she was home sick, but you wanted to share a story with her and she graciously took your call and took the time to discuss your writing with her. Mrs. K. loves teaching and that just oozes out of her.

You could be wondering why it took me nine months to write this post. Honestly, it's because I was so shaken up last spring with the cancelation of school. Part of me felt sad to lose time with my own class, but a bigger part of me was devastated that you didn't get to finish second-grade. It was magical having you be in the same grade-level I taught. I loved that my good friend and colleague was your teacher. Losing that broke my heart and it was really hard to reflect upon that. When we returned to school this past you were no longer a toothless second-grader. You didn't get to do all of the rights of passage that all of my former second-graders were able to do. Rally Day, field trip to Bear Country, and the last few months of being in second-grade were stolen. It was saddest for me because I loved you being able to work with not only Mrs. K., but with auntie, and Miss Selfridge. You loved being pushed in the intervention groups and being with different classes and working with all of the teachers. The end of that was really tough for me. I love my second-grade team and was so excited to have my own daughter benefit from their greatness. When school was cancelled on March 13th you lost so much that you won't ever get back. Fortunately you still get to see Mrs. K. everyday! You even get to help her afterschool sometimes which you especially love.

I sadly do not have any pictures of you with Mrs. K. I'll add that to my to do list on Monday. For now, here are some pics of the fabulous Mrs. K., our second-grade team, and a couple of you in second grade.

This was the last grade-level art project before we left school for the year. You can see Mrs. K. behind you. I wish I would have taken one with you with her!!!!