Mrs. Gartner

Each quarter in Josey's choir class, the students have to prepare their "choir notebook."  The expectations are actually really, really high.  Much to rule following Josey's chagrin, I am not a parent who flips out if everybody doesn't have straight As. In fact, I'm the type of parent that if I think a test is poorly constructed or I don't see the value of the assignment, I don't care how low the grade is.  I don't share that with my kids, because I believe in solidarity between parent and teacher.  But....I am still going to think it.  And yes, as a speech pathologist, I am licensed to say, "that is a load of poorly structured, pointless busy work!"

Mrs. Gartner said the purpose of the folders is to teach students how to present themselves in writing.  Josey spent days worrying about this folder.  She took in every detail of the rubric and applied it with the utmost of attention.  Typically, the extraordinarily high standards of this folder would make me go "hmph" (to myself, of course.)   However, after seeing how exceedingly proud Josey was to receive the highest grade in the class for her choir folder, I have to say:  I AM A BELIEVER!!!!!!!  If she received nothing but perfect scores on every OAA, ACT, PSAT, SAT, and GRE she takes, she could not possibly feel as elated as she does about her choir folder grade. 

Thank you, Mrs. Gartner for setting such high standards for a girl with a curmudgeon of a mama!