Oh, Michelle, I know you must be stressed out. I know you were hoping and praying that his first day would go well. I've worked as a regular classroom teacher and as an inclusion teacher (special ed teacher that goes into the regular classroom to assist with students who need extra help). And I will tell you from my experience that the teacher doesn't expect everything to go smoothly the first day, not even the first several weeks. It just takes awhile for a routine to be established and everyone to feel settled. Even the most-laid back kids (and teachers) find their lives in a topsy-turvy the first week or so. I can imagine in Luke's case that he was very stressed because he was in a new environment with an adult he didn't know. From what you've told us, he needs structure. The only way this will be established is with a very firm but loving teacher who quickly gets him into a daily routine. This will just come naturally with repetition. Each day it will get a little easier for him. He may really struggle with it for a week or two, and then all of a sudden, things will "click."
I understand what the teacher was saying about establishing herself as the lead teacher, and this was definitely her call; however, I don't think she anticipated his resistance to change. Now he will have to make another adjustment when the special ed teacher(s) are added to the picture. In hindsight, it might have been better for Luke to have them there on the first day so that he won't have a change in routine again. Hopefully, she can schedule the special ed teacher(s) to come soon.
As upset as you may be because you think he's been labeled as the "bad" kid, I'm sure that's not the case. At least not with a loving, experienced teacher and she sounds like she is. I always adored the "special" kids because they were such a challenge. I could not wait to see them the next day to see if I could bring them out of their shell. I had one little girl in first grade who was so shy that her mother warned me she wouldn't speak to anyone or answer a question when called on. I discovered that she just didn't have a lot of self confidence and when I found out what she was good out, she was more than eager to raise her hand and share with us (even if it was in a whisper!) That's been 7 years ago and every year when school starts, I think about that little girl and wonder how she's doing.
A good teacher will adore Luke and will soon bring out his special qualities. He looks so adorable in the pictures you posted! I would consider it a privilege to have him in my classroom! Of course, I'm partial to little boys!
I'll be praying that your conversation with the teacher goes well (don't worry if you cry) and that the two of you can work together to figure out what's best for him. Hang in there! It will get better. Pretty soon she will be seeing a smile out of him!
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Re: Luke's first day didn't go well
