Christie Brogan (mother of a tenth-grader and sixth-grader) shares her thoughts about Middle School Meet the Teacher Night.
I was always one of those geeky kids that actually enjoyed the start of each school year! I loved shopping for a new first day of school outifit, getting all my school supplies purchased and organized, and finding out exactly who was in my homeroom and all my classes. I really didn't think much about the teachers back then. However, now that I have children, I can't wait to meet and listen to all the teachers my children will enjoy this upcoming school year.
Upon entering the Upper School at Whitefield, I can't help but think to myself, "Wow! It won't be long now until we are looking at colleges and the kids will be leaving home to pursue their own dreams. This is all moving so fast, I hope I am doing all the right things to prepare them for independence!"
Tonight is Middle School Meet the Teacher Night, so I am here to meet the teachers of my sixth-grade son. I am handed my child's schedule and head into the Louise Owen Theater. There I settle in and and am very happy to see all my friends who I have missed seeing regularly during the summer months. Parents are welcomed by Dr. Bracher and Dr. Farrar and I am amazed at their dedication, genuine love for Christ, and passion for middle school children. Who actually chooses middle school? I don't know about you, but I would like to forget those days! Soon we are on our way to follow the schedule and meet the teachers.
Advisee, what a great way to start the day! How comforting that my child will have a Christian adult that will partner with us to help him navigate through the ups and downs of academics, friendships, sprituality, physical development and anything else that arises this school year. Words can't express what this truly means to a parent.
Next, I am headed to Bible. I am so excited that my child has an opportunity to learn about the Bible within his academic settting. I count my blessings that we are in a Christian school! I know that my son will be forming a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and will be putting into practice what he is learning on a daily basis. I want him to desire to learn more about the Bible as he matures and to be able to begin to defend his faith when he is tested.
In science class I love looking at all the equipment the kids will be using during experiements this year. Learning to ask and answer a question in science is a process that can be used to learn anything we would want to know about the world around us. It sounds like this class will involve small groups which will encourage listening to others and processing ideas and theories that are different from your own. And how cool - sixth grade gets to disect a frog!!!
Language Arts was next on the schedule, I am envisioning chalkboards full of dissected sentences. I am happy to learn that Language Arts includes many other activities such as public speaking, writing, vocabulary, as well as the dreaded DGP (Daily Grammar Practice)! These will be skills my son will continue to build upon and use for the rest of his life.
I found my way from Language Arts to English class. They are going to have a quiz next week. I am writing myself a note to check my child's planner to see if that is even on the radar! The books these classes are reading are outstanding. I might even read these again myself! There will be lots of room for numerous topics of discussion. I would like to be a fly on the wall one day during one of those discussions. I love that the teacher will encourage and require students to go deeper with their thought processes and expression in middle school.
When I see Math next on the schedule I start to sweat. I hope she doesn't ask us a math question! Data, decimals fractions, Roman numerals, number theories are just a few of the areas my child will learn about this year. There will be homework almost everyday in this class. So I should never hear "I don't have any homework." Good to know!
Next is rotation: Art, Research Tech and Band. It is explained that Art and Research Tech are both in the same semester and will last approximately 9 weeks each. Band will be offered for the whole semester when they are not taking Art and Research Tech. All of these fine arts teachers are impressive! My son will be lucky to learn from these masters!
Next I go to the BGR and I listen to the PE teachers. Physical Education will be four days a week with this rotating schedule. My son will learn to be responsible for his PE clothes! What a great motivator: forget your clothes and your child will be walking during PE instead of participating with the group. That sounds like a motivator that will work for my son! I am mentally scratching off "remember to pack PE clothes" off MY To-Do list!
As I exit Meet the Teacher Night I am very excited about the upcoming school year! I can tell my anxiety of the "future" has subsided. I remember that there is a purpose and a plan for every child here at Whitefield - that God has His hand in this school and He is leading these amazing teachers and lucky students! I see that my child is not only experiencing a rigorous academic schedule but is also learning about organization, responsibility, integrity, compassion, understanding, independent thinking, critical thinking, servant leadership and stewardship, just to name a few! Suddenly I know that both of my children will be ready for "the world" when they leave Whitefield and will be strong and ready for the journey that awaits them.
An enormous "Thank You!" to the faculty and staff at Whitefield. What a true blessing you are to all the students on a daily basis as you interact with our children in the classroom, at sporting events, during clubs and in the halls. You are a caring and supporting group of people who demonstrate the love of Christ to the students and each other. You are not only outstanding teachers, but effective ministers and living examples of God's Word. Thank you for serving the Lord and may God continue to bless those efforts and you!
I was always one of those geeky kids that actually enjoyed the start of each school year! I loved shopping for a new first day of school outifit, getting all my school supplies purchased and organized, and finding out exactly who was in my homeroom and all my classes. I really didn't think much about the teachers back then. However, now that I have children, I can't wait to meet and listen to all the teachers my children will enjoy this upcoming school year.
Upon entering the Upper School at Whitefield, I can't help but think to myself, "Wow! It won't be long now until we are looking at colleges and the kids will be leaving home to pursue their own dreams. This is all moving so fast, I hope I am doing all the right things to prepare them for independence!"
Tonight is Middle School Meet the Teacher Night, so I am here to meet the teachers of my sixth-grade son. I am handed my child's schedule and head into the Louise Owen Theater. There I settle in and and am very happy to see all my friends who I have missed seeing regularly during the summer months. Parents are welcomed by Dr. Bracher and Dr. Farrar and I am amazed at their dedication, genuine love for Christ, and passion for middle school children. Who actually chooses middle school? I don't know about you, but I would like to forget those days! Soon we are on our way to follow the schedule and meet the teachers.
Advisee, what a great way to start the day! How comforting that my child will have a Christian adult that will partner with us to help him navigate through the ups and downs of academics, friendships, sprituality, physical development and anything else that arises this school year. Words can't express what this truly means to a parent.
Next, I am headed to Bible. I am so excited that my child has an opportunity to learn about the Bible within his academic settting. I count my blessings that we are in a Christian school! I know that my son will be forming a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and will be putting into practice what he is learning on a daily basis. I want him to desire to learn more about the Bible as he matures and to be able to begin to defend his faith when he is tested.
In science class I love looking at all the equipment the kids will be using during experiements this year. Learning to ask and answer a question in science is a process that can be used to learn anything we would want to know about the world around us. It sounds like this class will involve small groups which will encourage listening to others and processing ideas and theories that are different from your own. And how cool - sixth grade gets to disect a frog!!!
Language Arts was next on the schedule, I am envisioning chalkboards full of dissected sentences. I am happy to learn that Language Arts includes many other activities such as public speaking, writing, vocabulary, as well as the dreaded DGP (Daily Grammar Practice)! These will be skills my son will continue to build upon and use for the rest of his life.
I found my way from Language Arts to English class. They are going to have a quiz next week. I am writing myself a note to check my child's planner to see if that is even on the radar! The books these classes are reading are outstanding. I might even read these again myself! There will be lots of room for numerous topics of discussion. I would like to be a fly on the wall one day during one of those discussions. I love that the teacher will encourage and require students to go deeper with their thought processes and expression in middle school.
When I see Math next on the schedule I start to sweat. I hope she doesn't ask us a math question! Data, decimals fractions, Roman numerals, number theories are just a few of the areas my child will learn about this year. There will be homework almost everyday in this class. So I should never hear "I don't have any homework." Good to know!
Next is rotation: Art, Research Tech and Band. It is explained that Art and Research Tech are both in the same semester and will last approximately 9 weeks each. Band will be offered for the whole semester when they are not taking Art and Research Tech. All of these fine arts teachers are impressive! My son will be lucky to learn from these masters!
Next I go to the BGR and I listen to the PE teachers. Physical Education will be four days a week with this rotating schedule. My son will learn to be responsible for his PE clothes! What a great motivator: forget your clothes and your child will be walking during PE instead of participating with the group. That sounds like a motivator that will work for my son! I am mentally scratching off "remember to pack PE clothes" off MY To-Do list!
As I exit Meet the Teacher Night I am very excited about the upcoming school year! I can tell my anxiety of the "future" has subsided. I remember that there is a purpose and a plan for every child here at Whitefield - that God has His hand in this school and He is leading these amazing teachers and lucky students! I see that my child is not only experiencing a rigorous academic schedule but is also learning about organization, responsibility, integrity, compassion, understanding, independent thinking, critical thinking, servant leadership and stewardship, just to name a few! Suddenly I know that both of my children will be ready for "the world" when they leave Whitefield and will be strong and ready for the journey that awaits them.
An enormous "Thank You!" to the faculty and staff at Whitefield. What a true blessing you are to all the students on a daily basis as you interact with our children in the classroom, at sporting events, during clubs and in the halls. You are a caring and supporting group of people who demonstrate the love of Christ to the students and each other. You are not only outstanding teachers, but effective ministers and living examples of God's Word. Thank you for serving the Lord and may God continue to bless those efforts and you!