Whatever 

It 

Takes

"Whatever it Takes" is the mission/vision of Pocatello/Chubbuck school district #25.  You can read the whole statement here:SD 25 Vision Statement.  Right now they aren't even doing the minimum necessary to ensure all students have a safe, comfortable and productive learning environment.  

This whole school year, Payton has been bringing home stories of his teacher and how awful she is to the class, particularly the boys.  Well, we've worked on the whole "killing with kindness", tolerance of differing opinions and all the stuff that comes along with dealing with difficult people.  Last week, when helping Payton take his stuff into the classroom, I realized that this situation was a little more than that, and had decided to call his principal and have a meeting.  After getting a text message two days later from Payton, mid-morning, saying that he'd been stuck in the hallways for almost an hour for looking around the room (a story the principal later confirmed matched the teacher's), I decided it was time to take drastic action.  This teacher bullies, belittles and is just down right mean to these kids...again, particularly the boys. 

I have scheduled a meeting with the superintendent that is to take place later today.  Also attending the meeting are the principal and the director of secondary education.  Both self-invited.  It is times like these that I think two things:  A-I wish I had husband, or that Payton had a dad that was involved in his life, to help advocate for his education.  And B-I wish my dad was alive, because the lack of both of the other things mentioned wouldn't seem quite so harsh.  My mom has graciously and generously offered to attend my meeting and I am very grateful for that.  But we both lack knowledge and the proverbial weight my dad had behind him.  I am hoping we get results though.  And if nothing else, Payton will have seen us stand up for him and we will continue to do so until results are achieved.  I know he could "deal with" this lady and probably, truth be told, outwit her at every game she introduces.....but that is not the point.  The point is what she is doing is WRONG and we won't stand for it. She is affecting Payton's attitude about school and we know that isn't right.  We stand up for what is right, we hold people (yes, even teachers) accountable for their actions, and we know that Payton's right to a safe, comfortable and productive learning environment is being violated. 

So, I'm hoping my dad is in attendance at today's meeting and gives me the strength to speak eloquently, hold my temper, and remember the bottom line of the situation:  Payton's quality of education.  As a parent, I'm going to do "whatever it takes" to make sure he gets the education he deserves.  I'm gong to do "whatever it takes" to make sure he likes school.  And I'm going to do "whatever it takes" to ensure he, and the rest of his classmates, are not bullied any longer.   

A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.  ~Henry Adams