Ode to Mrs. Richter

I immediately knew I was going to like Joel's 2nd grade teacher when on the first day of school I asked if I could get a picture of Joel and her together and she leaned over and put him in a headlock. This is the picture. Joel's huge smile told me he was going to like her too.

About two weeks into school Joel told me that Mrs. Richter is his favorite teacher so far because she reads to the class. She has told the class and the parents that she is an avid reader and hopes to instill the love of books in her students too. Yahoo! She also has a great sense of humor (sort of sarcastic) and loves science. What more could a boy ask for?

In case I didn't already love her, she said something last week that just "sealed the deal":

On Monday Joel got a brace for his left leg that helps him walk better. His gait isn't awful, but his left heel doesn't touch the floor and he kind of slaps his left foot when he walks (from a brain bleed caused by being born three months premature). Anyway, this brace, or "AFO," isn't really obnoxious, it's just a simple brace that fits in his shoe and goes up just below his knee. I wasn't going to make Joel wear it to school until it was "long pants" weather so that he wouldn't be embarrassed, but the next morning he just got up, put it on and went to school. I later asked about the kids' reactions to it and most kids just wondered, "What happened? Did you break your leg?" It wasn't until the next day that I got more of the story.

The next day Joel didn't wear the brace and I thought nothing of it, but when I picked up Joel from school he was standing with Mrs. Richter waiting for me. As he got in the car, Mrs. Richter said, "Joel, don't forget your special tool tomorrow, you didn't wear it today so make sure you wear it tomorrow. She then looked at me (sort of trying to explain what she was talking about) and said, "We talked yesterday about how many people need tools to help them, but Joel didn't have his on today." I immediately started crying, quickly thanked her and drove off. Joel filled me in on the story saying that when the kids asked "what happened to Joel's leg?," Mrs. Richter explained all about special tools (i.e. glasses, braces, etc.). How wonderful that a teacher, instead of ignoring the obvious, takes the time to truly educate children and to make Joel feel special that he has a "tool."

Don't you love her too?!