Parent Lists Reasons She's Thankful for La Cañada Schools

Several times a year, I talk to people who are wondering if they should move to La Cañada. Because they have young children, their biggest concern is finding the best educational opportunities for their kids. Despite my recent post about one particular teacher, I always tell these people that my husband and I have never regretted sending our kids through the , from Kindergarten through 12th Grade. Our kids received an excellent education, were surrounded by peers who were also motivated to learn, and we didn’t have to pay $25,000 a year for it like we would have if we’d sent them to a private school.

It’s unfortunate that because of , all the press about teachers in our city lately has been negative. Here are some of the many moments of greatness I’ve seen from outstanding teachers in our district:

• An elementary teacher took the time to schedule a special conference with me and my son to tell him that she saw greatness in him and thought that he could do much better. He changed overnight.
• Several coaches/teachers visited my son in the hospital after he broke his leg at a football game.
• When my daughter missed many classes in one particular subject since she had to leave before the end of the school day for soccer, the teacher made sure she knew what assignments she needed to make up.
• The principal who teared up when she recounted the dedication of our school’s athletes.
• The assistant principal who kids always knew they could share confidential issues with.
• The elementary school that went out of its way to create a controversial vocabulary curriculum that emphasized basic building blocks such as “they’re” vs. “their”, and “it’s” vs. “its”. To this day, my kids will go on a rant when someone mixes “your” and “you’re”.
• The many elementary teachers who accompanied kids on overnight field trips. Oh, the stories I’ve heard about illness and homesickness…these people should get a medal!
• On a more mundane note: I’m grateful for teachers who teach the same subject period after period, year after year. I’m sure they spice it up and change it each year, but I applaud their patience and persistence.
• Teachers who spend their holidays and weekends correcting papers and grading tests.
• The teachers who go out of their way to apply for grants so that they can bring the latest technology and techniques into the classroom.
• Teachers and staff members who pay to attend the annual La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation Gala each year.
• Teachers who organized to identify and buddy up with kids who they thought needed a little extra support. Our school’s version of No Child Left Behind.
• Administrators who patiently weathered sometimes unreasonable complaints, or who heard parents vehemently defend and deflect the misdeeds of their children.
• The counselor and teacher who helped my daughter craft a life-changing independent study project.
• The teacher/parent who gave up many lunches and extra hours to guide the student PTSA group.
• The English teacher who inspired kids to turn an adjective into a “statue” that they performed before school for passersby.
• The English teacher who inspired my son to achieve”mastery” (his word) and encouraged him to think more critically.

This list could go on much longer, but I think you get the gist.

It’s not a perfect system. There were definitely bumps and bruises (and a few broken bones) along the way. But there are many teachers, administrators, school board members, parents and volunteers who have long been committed to providing an excellent education for our local kids, and who are dedicated to fixing what needs to be fixed. I’m particularly optimistic after the recent school board election. Sure, we still don’t have the funding that we need to provide all the services we’d like. But we’ve got a great school district, and I believe it will only get better.