Resiliency and hard work. Some days school is hard work, other days it is easier and for some enjoyable. Finding just the right mix is part of the reason education is classified as an art rather than a science. Hard work and resiliency remind me of two phone calls I received in one of my early years of teaching. We had been working long and hard on Science Fair Projects. The first call was one that basically said, “Thanks for your work to make this possible. My child has grown so much in many ways. I know it is a lot of work for you and them!”

Then very shortly after, a second call sounded something like, “This is not a college project, way too much is expected of my child, and he/she can’t handle it.” To me it was clear that the Lord was behind the placement of the calls so close together. I was reminded that children and the homes they come from are as varied as humanity, and it is quite a challenge to hit the middle. It also reminds me that growing up can be tough.  An education that does not gently stretch the children is lacking. Finding the gentle in the stretch can also be challenging. What is a gentle stretch for one child can be abrupt and harsh to another.

Generally, our teachers know their children well, enabling them to help them grow in wisdom, age and grace at a rate that works for most of the people most of the time. We just had parent/teacher conferences, so my note is a little late for conferences, but I want to encourage you to talk to your child’s teacher if you are finding the pace or the content too challenging or not challenging enough. Overall, we have high expectations of the children, which helps them grow as capable adults and responsible Christians. Thank you for teaming with us and know that communication is very important to us. God bless us all!

Sister Mary Michael, C.K.