My son is entering the 4th grade this year. His resume thus far includes 3 years of pre-school and 4 years of public school. This makes for a total of 7 teachers. We just received the name of his 4th grade teacher this week. The 8th teacher in providing his education.

Every single year I drill people I know about the upcoming teacher. How are they? How much homework do they give? Are they nurturing? How long have they been teaching? How old are they? It’s endless.

But what I am really wanting to know, without sounding like a 9 year old, myself?

ARE THEY MEAN??

Seriously! Are they mean?? I don’t mean “hit with a ruler” mean. ‘Cause really teachers can’t use those to spank anymore, anyway. Thankfully. (Right?) I just don’t want THIS to be the year that my son decides that he doesn’t like school. I don’t want this to be the year that he wakes up with stomach aches and looks to stay home as much as possible. I want him to always look forward to school and learning.

He’s one of the few kids I know that can’t wait to get to school. Always one of the first ones there. (Of course it doesn’t hurt that we live right across the street from it.) I’ve never even once had to say “You’re going to be late.”

So I’m sending out ESP vibes to YOU, Mrs. Older, major homework giving, ready to retire, not the person my son hoped to get, fourth grade teacher…….please don’t kill my son’s passion for school.

I don’t want to have to use the ruler on you…