We Got Us A Winner

I am officially in love with Essie's new homeroom/math teacher, Mr. Cheatham.

Essie is afraid to ask for things. She won't go up to the counter at Chick-Fil-A and ask for a refill. She won't ask someone at a store where something she is looking for it.

Now that she's in Middle School, she has a locker. The school provides the lock and the combination, and they are given 3 locker breaks each day to swap out books and such.

Monday night Essie's was supposed to finish something for her Reading class, but she didn't have the book. I asked where it was and she said it was in her locker. I asked her why she didn't bring it home, and she said she couldn't figure out how to get her locker open. I told her she needed to ask her teacher the following day for some help. Tuesday night rolls around and guess what? No book. I got after her and said she MUST ask the teacher for help, because now we were 2 days behind on work. She broke down and said she didn't want to ask because she was sure he would get mad at her for asking. I tried to convince her that was untrue, but she dug those stubborn Dane heels in and said that yes it was and she just wasn't going to ever use her locker. I told her that was fine, but she had to get the books out of there first.

Wednesday I decided to step in, so I sent an e-mail to Mr. Cheatham. I kept it light hearted and acknowledged that middle school is all about kids learning to take responsibility and do things for themselves, but that at this point if she didn't get into her locker, she'd flunk reading and that wasn't acceptable, and I asked if he could just take a couple minutes to help her learn how to use her locker. He replied that if I could get her to school a little early today, he would show her how to use her locker.

So last night I got home and told her Mr. Cheatham was going to help her. Turns out, they had a couple minutes at the end of the day and he was able to help her then. So this morning I e-mailed him and thanked him for his help. Check this out:

9:09 AM Michael_Cheatham@blah.edu to Beth

Essie successfully opened her locker this morning by herself.

9:16 AM Beth G to Michael_Cheath.

We'll chalk that one up in the victory column then!

Thanks again for your help.

11:57 AM Michael_Cheatham@blah.edu to Beth

Locker break # 2 successful!

2:31 PM Michael_Cheath to Beth

Locker break #3...... a piece of cake! She's ready.

Is he not the best??? To take the time to let me know how she's doing AND with such a great sense of humor!!!!!