A Wonderful Teacher

My youngest heads out into the world tomorrow morning giving her all to land the job of her dreams. She is now considered HQT -  highly qualified teacher - a designation given to teachers deemed fully qualified to take on one of the most important jobs in America. She will bear the full responsibility to be not only a teacher, but a developmentalist, a social worker, a psychologist, a friend, a family counselor, a front line against abuse, neglect, and so much more. She'll use acting skills, art skills, reading and writing skills, dance skills - all in the sometimes thankless job of educating our Littles.

Her dream job is a home room teacher for middle school. But not just any middle school. A Waldorf-inspired middle school that is also a charter school. The synchronicity here is that Waldorf is the education I have my eye on for my grandson when he starts school next year. A Waldorf education is one that is hand picked by many of the movers and shakers in the Silicon Valley for their children. It doesn't come cheap - the average tuition is $12,800 per year for a middle school student. But this school is special - it's free. At least it's free to the students - it still receives federal funding. 36% of this school has students that qualify for the free lunch program - an indicator of need. When asked in the first round of interviews why she wanted to work in their school, her answer was that it offered a Waldorf education to everyone - even those that could not afford it.

Social justice is very important to her.

So off she goes - I know she will give it her all, just as she did in the Master's program. Graduating with almost a 4.0 will not hurt her chances, but there are many HQTs out there that are just as qualified to land this wonderful position, many with more experience.

My hope is that they will see the heart of my girl. She really loves those children, but more than that - she sees them. Each and every one.

Good luck, Jilly.

Keep Her Safe, World!

Terra Galleria Photography - Thailand

The hardest thing for me to do is to let my children go off into the world. I know I have to do it. But it just wrenches me in a way that is impossible to describe. We spend our lives protecting them. Then at some point we're pushed out of the equation. We are no longer in charge. And while we know, on a deep level, that we've never really been in charge, we have at least had some idea of where in the world they were at any given time. Not so when they hit a certain age. That's when they make their own decisions to expand their universe.  Off they go, and we have no idea where they are. We know what country, but that's about it.

They'll travel in their own way, without benefit of knowing exactly where they will sleep that night. They will meet people without benefit of their parent's spidey sense, hopefully depending on their own. We did our best to develop it in them, after all. We paid for the inoculations, made sure they were carrying "Deet," sent them all the State Department updates, warned them against carrying their passport where it could be lost or stolen. We assure them we will pony up money if it looks like they will run out (and maybe make a poor decision about where to sleep, what to eat.) But after that? We have to let them go...

We ask the world to watch out for them. Keep them safe. Return them to us, please.

So I'm sending it out there -  Please world, watch out for my little girl. She is sweet, kind, a humanitarian. Her mother often learns from her. She's worth protecting. And if I come across yours? I'll be happy to return the favor!

Extinct Bridezillas

Has anyone seen the reality television program "Bridezillas"? It's about the total obnoxiousness of some brides. These young women wreak total hell havoc with their outlandish demands and desire to outdo other brides on their "big day." Many end up screaming and crying and not enjoying any of the preparations, not to mention breaking their parent's bank accounts in the process. I have only watched the program a couple of times, and I'm not even sure why. Maybe because human nature, in all its extremes, is always interesting to me. Anyway, on one episode I watched a bride-to-be scream that she hated the groom! Just hours before the wedding. If I was that guy, I'd have run for my life!

We attended a wedding tonight where the bride and bridegroom had exchanged vows on a mountain top, after climbing and rappelling a rock, earlier this week. Her mother had fashioned a veil on her helmet. Tonight they exchanged vows in front of family and friends and had a wonderful and simple evening. Pictures of their mountain top wedding flashed on a giant screen. The centerpieces were vases with rice and pictures of them in various activities and travels. They are very athletic, and their wedding mirrored their values.

Her mother told me her daughter had done all the planning. Absent were all the expensive trappings. It was very modest, but still very nice. She was stunning in her dress that was under $300, and the groomsmen wore flip flops. The parents of the bride were having a great time the whole evening.

It reminded me of my daughter's wedding two years ago. My daughter was adamant that only people who really cared about her be there. Without all the guests that are invited because it's obligatory. It ended up being just beautiful, with 65 guests.

Perhaps it is becoming unfashionable to have the Bridezilla weddings. Maybe all the pomp and circumstance that was so popular just a few years ago, is becoming passe. The celebrations we have attended have all been lovely, but not outrageous. Maybe we are getting back to a more realistic view of what is the most important aspect of a wedding - love and respect for everyone involved.