The end of the school year is upon us. And, when my daughter (now 13) has had a particularly good teacher we like to have her (or him, but that hasn’t happened yet) over for lunch.  It was much easier in elementary school, there was one teacher per year and I eyeballed her almost daily. This year, in middle school, there are many invested professionals, the school is a titch further away and Jamie is a teenager with optics to protect.

But, we did it anyway; we invited Janice over for lunch. I had to do it by email instead of the usual little card. Janice is sensitive enough to not discuss the event in class and Jamie is thrilled but won’t show it! Janice informs me that she is vegetarian (I had no idea after 2 years of knowing this woman) and I assure her that only the rarest, bloodiest lamb chop will be served. She confirms with the news that in 18 years of teaching, she has never been invited to a student’s house for lunch.

I am shocked! But am I the only one? Does no-one do this anymore? The elementary teachers had commented that such a treat was rare but what has happened to our culture? Is it really such a big deal to make lunch? Has home and school really become two separate entities? Really, what teacher needs another mug at the end of the year? A little appreciation for what these people do, people!

OK. I’ll say it…Teachers are holding our culture together. They spend more time with our kids than we do.  They know each and every child, their friends, their strengths and challenges. The good ones care. The good ones, like Janice, have valuable information about who your child is in his own world. They can make all the difference in how our children see themselves, accept the challenge of lifelong learning and face the world of high school. Our kids are out of our hands so much these days that we must have faith in the other people who guide them. Teachers made all the difference in my world. I was the first of many siblings and cousins to go on to post secondary learning and continue my lifelong love of school and I owe all of that to my teachers. My parents did what they could with their 8^th grade education but beyond that, it was teachers who guided me.

It has been the same for Jamie, there are incredible, dedicated, talented teachers scattered through her short history like stepping stones firmly placed in a rushing river. She can look back as see the shoulders of their strength giving her purchase and path. Of course I am standing at both sides of the river, either encouraging her to cross or call her to continue. But it is the teachers and their solid strength who give her a place to plant her foot before she considers, chooses and hops to the next boulder. Thank you Janice, your rock glitters brightly in the middle school sun.

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Lunch Woes Mary A. 2009-07-31 01:49:48 A lot of people can't manage lunch for themselves - ensconced in an airless office cubicle - let alone prepare for the most important professional in their children's lives. Maybe this will change as the 'work at home' phenomenon begins to pick up steam, and with helpful reminders like yours, Teresa. Thanks!

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