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"Ms. Tina says....." In our house we hear that statement about a million times a day. Whatever follows that statement is taken as gospel. If "Ms. Tina says..." that the sky is pink, well then, the sky is pink. Thankfully Ms. Tina doesn't say that so, for now, Graeme's facts are pretty accurate. Sometimes his interpretations of the facts are a bit skewed but even then you cannot change his mind. It's gold. It's written in stone for eternity. Ms. Tina said it and so it shall be.
Ms. Tina is Graeme's EC (Early Childhood) Teacher and has been for 2 years, along with her assistants Ms. Thao and Ms. Vi. We get a ton of compliments on Graeme and his accomplishments and development. His vocabulary, his ability to hold a conversation with adults (and hold them to task while at it), his sense of self awareness, his worldliness, his compassion for others.....some developments come natural to him but many he has to work incredibly hard at, like most kids. His abilities in math, reading, writing, comprehension all come to mind here. One thing most prevalent that we feel is incredibly beneficial is his belief that learning is fun. Working hard at something and achieving a goal feels good and is a fun process even if sometimes you don't quite reach the goal or if it takes longer then you would like it to.
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| The Dream Team |
As I said, Erin and I get many compliments for these, but the truth is that these three women are largely responsible for much of what Graeme has gained in terms of many of these attributes. For the past two years they have worked with Graeme through play-based learning to instill the virtue that learning is fun. That the process is fun. That sometimes you go through the process and don't succeed but it was still worthwhile, and fun. That working hard at something and achieving the goal or end result is fun. That helping others is fun. That exploring is fun. Basically, that learning is FUN! I couldn't think of a better result culminating after two years in this program. Working with a toddler and trying to get them ready for Kindergarten is not an easy task. I'd say that if you can accomplish just one thing with them before sending them off, it is that learning is fun. Well, these three ladies accomplished that with Graeme and for that we are forever grateful. They used every ounce of their professionalism, experience, and (most importantly) love.
It wasn't an easy year for his class. There were challenges and hurdles, but all along they persevered and steered these kids down the correct paths so that they are ready to take on the next step. I had the chance to stop in his class this afternoon to watch him read a book to his classmates that he wrote himself. He wrote a book (about a pigeon having to go poop of course), sat in front of his peers and presented it. This wasn't a class assignment, just something he wanted to do on his own. No less impressive then his presentation was the attentiveness and respect that his fellow classmates showed him (even after the word "poop" was spoken). Seventeen 4/5 year old kids sat silently and watched and listened as their classmate and friend shared something because he thought they might enjoy it. That is impressive.
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| Graeme's first presentation |
So today, Thursday June 9th 2016, Graeme's last day in the EC Program at SSIS, I am not writing about how we cannot believe Graeme is going to be in Kindergarten, how he got so big so fast, where did the time go, etc. Today I am writing to thank all of those who helped and guided Graeme these past two years. Those who have helped make him the little man he is today and the man he will be in the future. It took Art Teachers, Music Teachers, PE Teachers, Principals, Assistant Principals, Bus Monitors, Gardeners (hey, someone has to keep the snakes off the playground!), Cleaners...it took a lot of effort by many. So Thank You Dr. Keller, Ms. Reynolds, Ms. Barton, Ms. Jennifer (and Mr. Elvis), Mr. C, Ms. Loan, Ms. Chin, Ms. Andrea, Ms. Emily-Kate and everyone else who helped along the way.
Especially Thank You to Ms. Tina, Ms. Vi and Ms. Thao. We are so thankful that you have been a part of Graeme's life the past two years, building a rock-solid foundation at the very start of his educational career. To say you have set him up for success would be an understatement and for that we are grateful. Next year I am sure your ears will perk up as his voice wafts over from the Kindergarten area once in awhile ;)
Ms. Tina says that learning is fun. Then so it shall be.
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| Ms. Tina's SSIS EC Class of 2016 |
Next stop for Graeme? Disneyland Tokyo then onto California on the 13th. Hope to see you all on our American journey this summer!
Hoa Binh,
The Hawken's in HCMC
#thetaoofgraeme
