A few weeks ago we had a parent teacher conference for Sammy. This was a night I will always remember.
Sammy has struggled in school. At the beginning of this, his 3rd grade year, we were told his reading level was at a 1.8. First grader in the 8th month of school. He was a third grader. I knew he struggled and reading was hard for him; however, I was not prepared to hear how far behind he really was. My heart broke for him as his teacher told us that there was a possibility of him being held back in 3rd grade if things didn't improve greatly. He has a sister that is just one year behind him in school and she excels. He would be demoralized if he was held back and had to be in the same grade as his younger sister. That night I cried for him, a lot. We prayed for him and we set up a plan, with the teacher to help him.
When we talked to Sammy I told him right out where he was and that I knew he would get better. I knew he could do this. It was going to take a lot of work from him and us and we would do all we could to help him. I know he was hurt when we told him how far behind he was...but Sammy didn't let this hurt stop him. I think it motivated him. Thank goodness for the competitive spirit Heavenly Father blessed him with.
He began receiving reading help each day with a Title I teacher. He had extra help with his teacher daily. We set up a routine for him to read to us each evening. It was painful to sit and listen to this after a long day when I was already tired, but we did it.
We saw glimpses of improvement...slowly yet surely. I started to notice him reading on his own...just picking up a book and reading it. I never thought that day would come. I saw him fluency improve. His comprehension improved. He would remind me that he was waiting for me to come listen to him read at night instead of hoping I would forget.
Then, in November his teacher told us his reading level had improved to a 2.6! He improved an equivalent of 8 months in just 3 months of school. We were so proud of him. When we told him he just beamed. He knew he still was behind and needed to keep going. But, he had the witness that came after his faith. He had faith to do what we asked him to do each day and the witness came to him when he saw it was working.
Fast forward to a couple weeks ago when we went to his conference. These conferences are only held for students that teachers feel a conference is needed. I wasn't surprised one was scheduled for Sammy because he is considered "at risk" this year academically. As Joel and I went to the conference I was nervous. I wanted to know how he was doing, but I didn't want bad news. I thought he was improving and I was hesitant to hear differently.
As we sat down with Mrs. Kahook she said to us, "I love Sammy! He is such a sweetheart!" Then she told us she scheduled the meeting to let us know how much Sammy has improved. She went on show us that he had improved his reading level to a 3.9! That is over 2 years growth in a little over half a school year! That is incredible!
She then told us that she has seen such an improvement in his behavior in class. At the beginning of the year she would constantly be reminding him to sit down, get back to work, finish his work, pay attention. She said at recess and gym he was this happy, funny, outgoing, energetic kid; however, in the classroom he was quiet, reserved, sullen, and tried to be as "invisible" as possible during instruction time. Now, she said, he is the same kid during class as he is at recess. He participates, raises his hand to answer questions, pays attention, and on task. He's the same kid at recess as he is in the classroom. It's amazing what a little bit of confidence can do for a kid. His Title I teacher told us that he is a leader in their small group instruction. He makes correlations in the texts they are reading, he comes to group prepared, he helps the other kids remember to be prepared for instruction. She said he is a natural leader.
I have never before been to a conference when I felt so grateful. Grateful for an amazing teacher that has turned Sammy's life around. Grateful for Sammy's hard work even when all the odds are stacked against him. Grateful for answered prayers. Grateful for the peace and comfort that we have been given. Grateful for the miracle that is happening before our eyes. When we got home I found Sammy on his bed reading. I climbed up to his top bunk and told him how much I loved him. I told him everything we had been told at his conference. I thought his face would crack from the smile that filled his face. And his eyes, they sparkled. I held him and tears ran down my face. As I left his room he said to me, "Mom, you were right. I can do hard things!"
Yes, Sammy you can do hard things and you do hard things amazingly well!
