As I begin to prepare for my own classroom and new group of students, I think about my son’s upcoming school year. First grade was challenging and we hope that this is “the year.” You know…the year when
-your kid is appreciated by his teacher
-he finds a best friend
-he is excited by what he is learning
-he smiles as he talks about school
As a teacher, I know the demands of the job! I know what it is like to have a crowded classroom, wide range of academic abilities & interests, varying social skills & friendship issues, and limited time to cover all of the important curriculum. I know that with this job (hard, exhausting, emotional, important, always-on-the-go job) a kid like mine takes…energy.
He might challenge someone’s patience as he shares his ideas or ways of doing things.
He could challenge someone’s words since he is extremely literal and wants people to do what they say.
He will challenge his classmates with his black and white view of social rules/issues.
All of these things will happen…more than once. Probably more than once a day! But here’s the thing….If you are a teacher, it is your job to teach all of the students! Despite the challenges, you will always have a kid like mine in your class. What should you know about my boy?
Form a positive relationship with him and you are half way there.
He is truly gifted (not in social skills or impulsive control) and he needs to be presented higher-level thinking activities not just MORE of the same.
Peers might not get him and honestly…he doesn’t get them.
His sensory issues impact every part of his day-the crowded coatroom, the restricted carpet space, the loud lunchroom, and the covered walls, etc.
Once you find out that your child is twice-exceptional, it is truly a double-edged sword. The fact that your child is bright is fantastic, but the fact that he is also on the other side of the bell curve for other issues is worrisome. I think that my son is held to a standard that many others aren’t. It’s almost this…if you TRULY were gifted you could FIGURE it out!
Sigh…
It is important for my son’s teacher (and other teacher’s with 2e kids) to think about him as persistent, passionate, and unique instead of inflexible, stubborn and challenging.
I believe in positive thinking and we intend that THIS will be HIS year!
My Twice Baked Potato 
I could literally copy and paste this post because I have the EXACT same hopes for my son this school year! Good luck to you two!
And to you!
This is really what we wish for…isn’t it? I want my son to love school and hoping this is it!
This was a very good article for others to read…especially teachers.
Each year that goes by…your son will mature emotionally. So long as his mind is kept engaged through the stimulation of advanced subjects…he will continue to outpace others academically. His emotional side will eventually catch up with his age group. You may just think of your son as an emotional late bloomer…but bloom he shall.
Your words were comforting to hear and I hope that you are right! He has had two years of challenging school experiences and there must be a change! We can only trust one more time before we will make a bigger change. That is one of the reasons why I am working part time. If more accomodations need to be made at home instead of schoool, I will be able to do that myself. Thank you for your continued support and comments. Your intelligent voice helped today!
Loved this post too, and I’m going to print this and include with all the materials I want(hope) to share with my sons teachers.
His main teacher has described him as unique, which made me smile(oh she only sees 1/10th of his uniqueness!)
Wendi-I’m so glad that you found the post helpful! I think unique is awesome & would assume it to be a compliment! Here’s hoping for a great year 😉
Well said! Spoken like a true Teacher! 🙂
P.S. And MOTHER!
That’s right! Don’t mess with Mama Bear! 😉
Thank you! Yes, it is a hard job but it is an important responsibility and most of us take it seriously! Thanks for stopping by;)
Written so well! Your words flow flawlessly.
Thank you, friend;)