Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Good and Bad (05/07/09)
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TITLE: Perfect Child | Previous Challenge Entry
By Vickie Buchanan
05/14/09 -
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Alexander B. Drury is a perfect child. Just ask his mother. He is cheerful and full of fun. So says his father. Alexander B. Drury is a thoughtful child. Suggest that to his 4th grade teacher and watch her eyes roll back in her head! Actually, Alexander B. Drury is a brat. This can be verified by the other 28 students in Miss Adams’ class. Now, today she must delicately convince the Drurys that no, Alexander B. Drury is NOT a perfect child.
Parent conference days are stressful, calling for people skills of mega proportions. Miss Adams knew she must be diplomatic. She had been teaching 4th grade for 5 years. She knew the right words that disguised “spoiled brat”, “dawdler”, “little con artist”, and more. If parents became defensive she knew how to redirect them. But some parents…..
Miss Adams saved the Drury conference till last…the last conference on the last day of conferences. It wasn’t going to be pleasant. Alexander had been a disruption since the first day he joined the class in Room 12. He was taller than most, and outweighed Miss Adams. He wasn’t obese; he was just a solid block of boy. He had the undivided attention of every student when he walked into the room. If that made him feel self-conscious, he didn’t show it. He swaggered – yes, a 4th grader can swagger – giving the impression he was about to take charge. Within the first week there were 2 fights, 3 reports of bullying and outbursts of shouting from the back of the room. Abby Conway was no crybaby, but Alexander had made her cry twice. Notes home were either ignored or answered in cold and sarcastic tones that questioned Miss Adams’ skills and knowledge of her students. Miss Adams began documenting each incident in great detail. Her notes were on her desk as she greeted the Drurys.
“Good evening, Mrs. Drury, Mr. Drury. I’m Jennifer Adams, Alexander’s teacher.” She felt she was off to a good start. “I wanted to talk to you about Alexander’s learning progress and social skills.”
“Well, we’re sure he’s exceeded the usual learning curve. He’s exceptionally smart. And socially, well, we’ve always encouraged him to use good manners.” Mr. Drury beamed with pride. “He gets along quite well with everyone.”
Miss Adams, at a loss for words, directed her attention to the folder of half finished, sloppy work turned in by Alexander. One by one she displayed the papers on the desk.
Her pretty hands were steady and deliberate as she laid them down firmly.
“This is some of his work, Mr. Drury, and frankly, it isn’t acceptable. It isn’t even acceptable for 2nd grade!” The dark wood on the desk contrasted with the white lined writing papers, making them stand out, especially with the red “unsatisfactory” stamped on each sheet, She went on to tell them of her concerns with math and reading deficiencies. They were silent as they locked their jaws and set their lips in a tight pinched scowl. “But my biggest concern is his lack of respect for anyone and anything. He bullies, makes kids cry, and in spite of what you have said, he doesn’t get along with anyone.”
Miss Adams let the news sink in a while before revealing the documentary notes, the final blow. Mrs. Drury fought tears, while Mr. Drury’s face reddened as he slumped in his seat.
“How could he have done these things, “ she asked her husband? He shook his head but didn’t answer. “He behaves so differently at home. We never have to correct him. We let him make all his own decisions, and we don’t even have to tell him what to do.”
Miss Adams began to see the source of Alexander’s anger. He was smart…smart enough to see that his parents weren’t giving him any direction or guidance. He had to find something drastic enough to get them involved with him. The conference she had dreaded for days was turning in to the most valuable one she had held in years.
She made suggestions for some counseling, both for Alexander and for his parents. A parenting class would show them how to take the leadership role he demanded from them.
As the Drurys stood to leave the conference that night they shook hands with a young
teacher who was making a difference in a life….the life of their son.
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