Inspriration

Nooze began the Seventh Grade earlier this week.  SEVENTH.  Where has the time gone?  I am in awe.  She skipped home on the first day, hands full of letters, paperwork and random items for me to read.  She handed over all except one. 

I signed page after page after page, promising to be a Good Momma and making sure to enter my information, Chachi's information and sign the correct date.  I read letter after letter from her teachers, most of which laid out the rules of the school and the classroom, with reminders about homework and upcoming school engagements.

I finally made it through the pile, and Nooze handed me the last sheet.  It was another letter from one of her teachers.  *Sigh*.  More rules, I thought.  I began to scan the letter, expecting to read the same information that I had just gone over SIX TIMES.  Then I stopped and started all over again.  This was no 'average' teacher.  

The letter was funny, engaging, and - dare I say - utterly charming.  I laughed as I read the letter, and was thrilled to realize that Nooze was one of twelve students in her grade to be placed in his class.  My favorite sentence in the entire letter was as follows:

School is not a place for young people to go and watch old people work.

How inspiring is that? For the second year in a row, my Nooze will spend her days with teachers who expect her to do MORE than just show up.  She will be an active participant in Learning New Things, Trying Odd Projects...and BEING CHALLENGED TO BE MORE.  Finally.

She is entirely excited about the school year, and has already declared that the Charming Teacher is her favorite.  By all descriptions, CT is apparently a Total Nerd (that's a compliment, by the way), and dresses like Evan R. Lawson.  [For those who don't watch Royal Pains, please Image G**gle the name.]  I can't wait to meet him.

I think that this is the year that I step up and volunteer at the school.  Surely they could use someone to staple papers or sweep floors?  Here's to trying new things...