Brandon

Many of you know the struggle that Brandon has had in school which began in Kindergarten. In Kindergarten he struggled with his teacher. As a consequence of this Brandon just HATED school!!! He got in trouble almost everyday at school and then again at home. When I volunteered once and saw it was his teacher who didn't understand Brandon, didn't trust Brandon and blamed him for things he didn't mean to do, he quit getting in trouble at home. This helped a little bit, but he still really didn't like going to school. The next year started and 1st grade was good behavior-wise. His teacher was AWESOME!! She totally loved Brandon and didn't let his energy bother her. She was able to help him like school and feel good about being there, but he was still behind in reading. We practiced and practiced and practiced and he improved slowly and steadily but never "caught up". 2nd grade wasn't horrible, but he did get in trouble a lot for his behavior. I would hear parents freak out about how their kid got a warning or their first infraction and think to myself, "Oh please! I would be grateful if my son got his first infraction in March!" (He probably had at least 7-8 by then. On the bright side he always always told us when it happened). In addition he was still behind in his reading. I have always loved my Brandon and always thought he was one of the most awesome kids ever. I knew he was smart and that he was a good boy, but for some reason struggled in school. I tried to stay positive, but every Parent Teacher Conference was more discouraging than encouraging. Well Wednesday I had Parent Teacher Conference and needless to say I was pretty nervous! When I got there, the first thing his teacher told me was, "I just love Brandon." His teachers all have said this (excepting his Kindergarten one... I'm telling you they really didn't get along) so I wasn't getting my hopes up. Then she told me how Brandon is such a hard worker giving 110% to everything he does. She told me that he has such a positive and excited attitude about school which she loves! She said that if she ever needs something done quickly, correctly, and efficiently she knows she can ask Brandon. When she told me Brandon was doing really well in all subjects and was right on grade level for reading..... I got a little choked up. I was so embarrassed, but honestly I couldn't have been prouder than I was at that moment! I told her it had been a long journey with him and I was so glad that he seems to have turned a corner. It was the best Parent Teacher Conference ever!!!! It just goes to show.... don't give up. Even if it takes forever consistency will eventually pay off!

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Last night Brandon was saying good-bye to his friends. They were on their bikes and he was running along side them. He said he was looking down at his feet and "they were a blur I was going so fast!" Unfortunately while admiring how fast he was he didn't see the big ole' garbage can in front of him and ran right into it! That explains the eyeshadow. :)

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These are some drawings Brandon did in art. He said he watched a video that taught him how to draw these cartoon characters. He drew these when he got home. Pretty good, huh?