Summer before his senior year.... while driving I asked my son, who his favorite teacher had been, he couldn't come up with anyone. I asked how his favorite, most inspiring coach had been, he couldn't come up with one. It made me sad for him. And then I began to reflect on his school experinces and I became sad. His memory from 2nd grade was having his desk dumped by the teacher. His memory of 4th grade was hearing his teacher say she didn't enjoy having him in class. His memeory of 5th grade was being accused of not turning in his homework and missing out on recess, only to have the teacher find it later on her mess of a desk. The memory from 6th grade is of a teacher trying to have him removed from the high ability group because of his lack of effort, being told he was a liar*, and being repeatedly sent to the office. His 8th grade memory was that of a teacher throwing away his entire homework packet that he completed while out for his grandmas funeral. The guidance counslor doing nothing when he was shoved down, kicked and bullied, and begging me to homeschool him. So I did. He's struggled with math and per his parents instruction he's asked questions only to not have them answered. So he's had tutoring....and he has failed. He gave up busting his chops doing all the homework because many times he spent the hours struggling to do so only to complete the 25 assigned problems and then only 5 are graded. Missing 3/5.... resulting in an F v. 3/25 which is an entirely different out come. He realized zero effort in the area of homework was equilivant to the result obtained when time was spent. And honestly when there's a lack of understanding, it's a mute point.

Then there are the test, ECA's, PSAT, and regular class room tests, projects, etc. Now those....not a problem. He's smart and has a high capacity for learning and does exceptionally well on all of those things. He's smart, recognizes BS and hypocracy and doesn't buy into it.

I'm a HUGE fan of education and learning and inspiring and the experiences that have stuck with my son and me make me sad, mad and frustrated. For many years I insisted on him doing all of his homework and told him it was necessary for him to do his part 1) so he would have the understanding and knowledge necessary 2) it was what was expected, but when a teacher tosses into the trash the assignment, I can't undo the message that sends. Trust me I've tried. Perhaps after only one experience but not when it happened more than once. (& found out he's not the only one after hearing 2 other moms share their childs experience....sad)

So here we are ....summer before senior year. This coming weekend he'll take the SAT. The following weekend he'll take the ACT. And the next day he'll leave for Hoosier Boys State, an opportunity that he wouldn't have had if it weren't for a fellow church member who sees Matthew for the fine, smart, artiuclate young man that he is. He's talked to him, encouraged him and worked along side him and found it quite easy to recommend him for sponsership to be apart of this amazing experience. I'm excited for him to really just enjoy this year. And I'm excited for him to experience higher education. And more importantly he's looking forward to it as well!

So Senior year....let's do this! May this be the year of good memories for my boy!

*Matt told me that his teacher kept blaming a partcular kid for things that he was NOT doing and it was really upsetting to him because the one of the "good" kids was getting away with the disruption. So, in true Matt fashion, he caused the disruption....which resulted, as he knew it would, in this other child getting in trouble for it. Rightfully so the accused denied being disruptful and was told he was lying by the teacher. Having seen and heard enough Matt spoke up and said that she was wrong, that HE was the one who caused the disruption. He then got in trouble as well for trying to cover for this boy who had repeatedly been falsly accused. Needless to say it was another afternoon spent out of class and in the office.