How (not) to Pick a Pre-School

December of 2006, Jason and I happily/nervously/prayerfully signed papers to build a house in Lebanon, Ohio. It seemed like all the cards fell into place...We were 5 minutes from my parents and 10 minutes from Ridgeville Christian - the private Christian school I attended kindergarten through 12th grade. While I can't say I always LOVED the school, but looking back, I know those wonderful people helped shape me into the person I am (and I like myself :) so we decided that would be a great place for Julia and any more babies we would have.

May of 2007, the school announced is was closing. After 40+ years, they close 5 months after we signed our life away to build this house...nice...leaving a HUGE gap in the 16 yr plan I had for my child(ren).

So when the time came, we went with our very distant 2nd choice. Putting our smiley faces on over-drive, we were certain Julia would hit the floors of mini-acedemia running - and then I met her teacher...She was pleasant, I suppose, but when I saw her, there were no warm fuzzies...I kept telling Jason "She's just not a pre-school teacher" - and he had no idea what I meant until 4 months into the school year, she quit to be an office manager at a dental office. Here's to mommy-intuition! Julia's new teacher was amazing. She hugged the children and just seemed happy to be there...She was a pre-school teacher...but retired after the year was over...

So we started a new year this past fall. Another nice, but no warm fuzzy teacher. She didn't say "hi" to Julia when she came in. She didn't say "good-bye" let alone hug Julia as she left. The few times she acknowledged me were to inform me Julia wasn't using scissors right or Julia hid under the table when she couldn't be line leader. Now I don't expect a parade every time my child enters a room, but I like/expect manners and want to leave them with a smiling teacher who appears happy that she's there.

The day of the Christmas program, her teacher came up to me and said that she didn't know what to do with Julia who was sitting against the wall quietly while 3 boys stood in the hall hitting each other and 2 other girls were crying for Lord only knows what reason....and the teacher is outing Julia. Later the teacher told me she thought Julia was upset because she wanted a solo and the teacher didn't think Julia could do it. I should have ran out the door with Julia in tow at the moment...My degree is not education. It is not in child psychology, but I know you don't put limits on a 4 yr old like that, right? Even if the song was totally botched, I for one, love children singing for that very reason! They are cute and precocious.

After another similar incident, we decided we were done. I know it's just pre-school, but I just couldn't have my child told she couldn't do something, when we tell her the world is hers. If that's their philosophy, we fold. We are out.

We are starting a new school on Monday. Her teacher, coincidentally, went to Ridgeville. Julia met her on Friday. I am happy to report Miss Angela was smiling, welcoming and just a complete 180 from we had experienced at the other school. I gave her a little back ground of our reason for moving and my heart jumped when her mouth dropped as I recounted the teacher's dismissal of Julia's potential. Vindication!

I know this is another ramble of a blog, but I just thought I get the story out there and say...Moms, go with your intuition!