Positive Experiences

[IndigoBell]

To balance some of the negative threads that have been around, I wanted to start a positive one, to say thank you to all the hard working teachers and other school staff who frequent MN.

Thank you to all the staff at my DCs schools. You are doing a fabulous job.

I really appreciate the way you look after all 3 of my children, despite their quirks and problems.

I really appreciate you noticing their strengths.

The way you tackled the bullying problem my DS1 was having last week was inspired.

The way you are motivating and engaging DD is brilliant. You obviously are really good teachers.

The way you are stretching DS2 is unbelievable. (He's only 6 - how on earth do you get so much work out of him? )

Thank you.

Anyone else?

[signet]

Absolutely!

I have nothing but praise for my children's teachers.

Thank you to the head teacher who really looks out for DS1 and gets him the help and support he needs to help him grow emotionally (sensitive little thing that he is!).

Thank you to the teachers who have encouraged DD and made her feel comfortable enough to finally start talking in school (after 3 years!)

And for the teachers who give extra help and support DS2 with his phonics and his speech to stop him from falling behind because of his hearing problems.

And thanks again to the head who let me sob in her office a few weeks ago when it was all getting too much and didn't judge me but simply touched my arm and told me that she was here to help.

We are incredibly blessed with our teachers

[coppertop]

Thank you to everyone who works at our school too.

I love the way you not only work on the weaker areas but also build on the strengths.

I also appreciate the way you always go the extra mile for all my children.

And at the risk of sounding too mushy, you're lovely people too. :)

[Lydwatt]

And mine! I am so very pleased at how well my daughter has settled. given that she can be very shy and withdrawn...the fact that she is confident, happy and engaged with her work is a daily delight.

I fully believe that this is down to the support and expertise of her teachers. I cannot wait for DS to start next year. I know that these teachers will work with him to help him develop and learn to his very best.

Thank you all primary school teachers who work hard each day for the kids you teach, you are deeply appreciated!

ps what a great thread, Indigobell...I couldn't agree with this post more.

[Memoo]

And thank you to the TA's too, who do nearly as much work as the teachers but for a 10th of the pay!

[domesticsluttery]

What a great idea!

I have nothing but praise for my DC's teachers. All three are working ahead of "average" but all three are given appropriate extension work and never complain of being bored. DS2 especially is being supported fantastically in the areas which he is ahead, with the head trying to get SEN funding.

DS1 was recently the victim of bullying by an older child, which was nipped in the bud very quickly and without me having to even speak to a teacher about it.

DS2 has had various health problems (including asthma and unexplained seizures) and his teachers have gone out of their way to be supportive.

DS2's teacher also gets a special thank you for never mentioning the day when, at the end of my tether, I burst into tears in the staff room

The teachers put in who knows how many extra hours to provide after school activities such as sports club, craft club, choir etc.

So definitely a big thank you from me!

[magicmummy1]

Fab thread!!!

I feel nothing but gratitude and admiration towards the teachers at my daughter's school. They are truly fantastic, and I sincerely appreciate all the time, thought and effort that they put in, beyond the call of duty, to help our kids learn and to make school an enjoyable experience. I would love them to know that those efforts are seen, and that they are not taken for granted.

To the headteacher, I would say thank you for creating an ethos within the school which celebrates achievements of all varieties, which genuinely values diversity and which teaches the children to be really caring and supportive of one another. Not to mention an environment in which teachers clearly feel motivated and supported. I couldn't ask for my child to learn in a better setting.

I would like to thank all of the teachers at dd's school for being so warm and friendly (and knowing all the names of the children who they don't teach!) and for the extra time and effort that they put into all that they do - running clubs at lunchtimes and after school, preparing for school productions, planning special activities etc.

And to dd's wonderful teacher - gosh, where do I start!

I would like to thank her for seeing and responding to my child as an individual, for catering to her particular needs and helping her to fulfil her potential, even though she has 27 other children to think about. I don't know how she differentiates work so effectively, but I know that she does it somehow, and that makes a huge difference.

I would like to thank her for the many, many extra hours that she spends in school each evening - planning, preparing and creating exciting learning opportunities for the children in her care. Her creativity astounds me, and her energy is incredible.

I would like to thank her for caring every bit as much about my child's happiness and her social and personal development as she does about NC levels and the numbers on which she, as a teacher, will be judged.

I would like to thank her for spending money out of her own pocket on things for the classroom and little extras to motivate the children in her class. I would like her to know that this is not expected, but it is greatly appreciated.

I would like to thank her for her patience, for managing to keep a smile on her face at the end of a day with 28 noisy five year-olds, and for managing to greet parents with a smile at the end of the day too. She must be exhausted!

We hear so much about teachers who aren't doing a great job, but I'm willing to bet that there are thousands out there who are!

[thebelletolls]

Really good thread. Thank you to all our ds's primary teachers and a great Head. You have all been so supportive of our ds and us at difficult times. I know you say you are only doing your jobs and that you get much pleasure from the children - but still - over and beyond the call of duty every time!

A big thank you too to other staff at school. Dinner ladies and caretakers, and admin - my ds talks about you too. You are very much part of his happy school life.

[MM5]

PLEASE PLEASE tell all these lovely things to them personally. They very seldom here the good things. 99% of what they here is complaints.

[mumbar]

I'll add a huge thankyou to DS teacher this year.

She is so wonderful and accepting of his 'quirks' that she has personally changed my mind about the school and DS will continue with their with her until he starts juniors in September.

I want to thank her for recognising that DS is capable of doing the work and for allowing him to flourish and make the amount of progress he has made in 1/2 a term - thus increasing his confidence.

[Lydwatt]

MM5 you are right! People tend not to say this stuff.

I think that's true in general too. It feels sooo much nicer to say the compliments we are thinking out loud more often to the people around us!

[magicmummy1]

I will definitely be telling dd's teacher about all the things that I have appreciated - but not until the end of the year! Don't want her to think we're sucking up!

[IndigoBell]

Feenie - looks like you're right.

Teacher bashing is more popular than teacher praising.

Isn't anyone else pleased with their school?

[Lydwatt]

either that or MN attracts a certain type of parent

[magicmummy1]

I think you're right, lydwatt - as far as I can tell, most of the parents at dd's school are as happy as we are! :)

[DreamTeamGirl]

YY, DS' teachers are lush and tha TAs marvellous.

But isnt it just human nature to be more vocal when we complain?

When did you last send compliments to the kitchen in a restraunt or phone a shop to compliment good service?

[magicmummy1]

"When did you last send compliments to the kitchen in a restraunt or phone a shop to compliment good service?"

Actually, I always make a point of telling shops & restaurants when I have been pleased with the service etc. I usually complain when I'm not happy, so I think it's only fair to tell them when I am!

But maybe that's just me!

[DreamTeamGirl]

I agree I say if I am delighted, but not if it is just absolutely fine and as I would expect it, and I guess that is the differential I am making

[DisparityCausesInstability]

A complimented someone who worked with my dcs during a out of school club - his manager was so taken a back by my positive praise it was quite surprising - but I couldn't let the extra effort he put in go unnoticed.

This year's teachers have been brilliant, they have huge energy and commitment to helping the kids learn. I particularly like my ds's teacher who really treats the kids with compassion, even the ones who are slightly challenging. I have so much admiration for her, she understands how boys are and doesn't expect them to be like the girls, I feel like she "gets" kids and ds loves her.

[rabbitstew]

And I wish to add my voice, too. My dss' school has made both my children and me feel really supported. Me too, even though I'm not a pupil there (!) because I was incredibly anxious about my ds1 before he started school, but the school was so wonderful with him that I rapidly became a less anxious person after he started there and therefore a better parent. I will be eternally grateful and surprised by the amount of effort that his been put in for my children - it restored my faith in humanity after a few years of looking relatively unsuccessfully for help in other areas of the system.

[Smithagain]

I often tell restaurant staff if I've particularly enjoyed a meal. And I thanked DD1's teacher only yesterday for taking them to the theatre, because she had come home absolutely buzzing with excitement!

Both my children go to a school which most of the middle class parents in this town avoid like the plague. They have had a succession of really excellent teachers, who treat the children as individuals, bring out the best in every child without pressurising them, and manage to remain cheerful in a very difficult working environment. There are loads of children with behavioural issues and a whole variety of special needs, which the staff take in their stride.

Much credit has to go to the Head and her Deputy who are a formidable team. They combine good humour, a human face and a very real drive to keep improving the school without turning into any kind of exam factory. I love it and am totally about the prejudice that makes people drive to the next town to educate their children!

[pointythings]

I make a point of telling my DS'c teachers how pleased I am with them every chance I get - parents' evenings, school fairs - and I always make a point of putting in a parent statement when OFSTED comes around. Teachers get such a bad press, but in the 5+ years that my DCs have been in the system, I've not come across a bad one yet, and I've run into several absolutely outstanding ones. I couldn't list all the things I'd like to thank them for without boring the pants off everyone here, so I'll settle for this instead: A toast to teachers!

[Stillconfounded]

What a great thread IndigoB

I have nothing but praise for my dd's teachers (particularly the last two she has had). They've both gone to infinite trouble to sort out any niggles and are always so positive, concientious and energetic about their work.

It really is so great to go and speak to a teacher who you feel really "gets" your child and who listens too.

Hardest job in the world. Doesn't get nearly enough recognition or financial reward.

[DanFmDorking]

To those who posted good things about your school
Please, please, please make a point of telling the school.
Staff have a lot to put up with, complaints come straight away, a letter of praise or thanks is a welcome fillip.

[IndigoBell]

Dam - we do tell the school. There is no way I would post on here something I hadn't already discussed with school.

I was just really hoping that there were more MNs out there who were pleased with their school, but it seems like there aren't.

To balance all the awful threads, so that readers don't think all schools are bad. But it seems like I'm wrong. It seems like the majority of MNs don't have anything good to say about their school.

Which is really sad.

What about you Dam - are you pleased with any aspect of your school?

[Lydwatt]

I certainly say everything here to my dc's teacher at every opportunity I can. they really have been amazing and highly talented people.

I do believe that many more people are happy with their school than not...they just happen to be much quieter too.

And that is the shame of it...