So...the other day I was at work putting some files away at my old grade school and what do you know...I found my file. Needless to say, curiosity got the better of me. I found one piece of paper that is from ever parent-teacher consultation during my time at the school and what was discussed or observed. You have to check this out.

PRESCHOOL
Michelle gets along well with the other children, but does not actively participate in the games. She depends quite a bit on her friend Taryn. She seem to enjoy the bible storie. She usually cooperates, but is still learning.

KINDERGARTEN
Michelle is one of the youngest kids in the class. She seemed to struggle to get her work done at first, but is improving. Her mother would not object to Michelle repeating the class if that would be to her advantage.

FIRST GRADE
Michelle picked up reading easily. Her writing shows immaturity. She prefers using a crayon to a pencil. She's not always prompt in finishing her work. She has a cheerful personality and likes to "mother" others.

SECOND GRADE
Michelle loves reading- math is somewhat harder, but she is handling it nicely. She needs to be neater in her work and stay on task. She is a loving child.

THIRD GRADE
Michelle is starting to work a little faster. Parents help about 1 hr at home each night. She has a peer tutor 3 times a week to help her stay "on task" and get organized. She needs to take responsibility for her work.

FOURTH GRADE
Michelle is improving at staying on task and will be encouraged to do so. Math facts knowledge will be worked on at home. She is getting better about not worrying about other people.

FIFTH GRADE
Michelle is concerned, considerate, polite, and confident. She is getting beter at getting started and finised with her work promptly. She seems to have a heavier load of homework. She has had much imcomplete work. She alwas has a smile to share.

SIXTH GRADE
Michelle loves attention. She gets it by asking millions of questions. We're working on lists of 10 questions per day. Lates were a problem, but haven't been lately. Communication w/ home is critical.

SEVENTH GRADE
Michelle is doing well. She spends hours on homework, but she wanders often. Mom likes the progress, but understands how it may takea  toll on Michelle. Her only extra curricular is cheerleading.

EIGHTH GRADE
Michelle is an outgoing young lady. She works slowly, but pretty much to her ability. She always has a smile. She should do well in life.

Now isn't that just peachy. Theres nothing like looking in your file to see what your teachers really thought of you in gradeschool. I am still as shy as I was in preschool. I love meeting new people, but find it hard to just go and talk to people. One of my ex friends from college and I were super close, but it took me a good 3 weeks to introduce myself in art class. I admit, I don't find making new friends easy. I find it terrifying and nerve wracking, but I love having more friends.

As for the whole thing about me doing homework slow....did anyone even think that I might have a learning disability??? I guess not. I found out end of highschool. Yeah...ADD and something else. My mind does tend to wander and I STILL prefer crayons over pencils!! Who wants boring old gray when you can have whatever color fits your mood that day?? NOT ME!

I love my 6th grade teachers comments about me always wanting attention and therefor asking soooo many questions. HELLO!!! When you are in school and learning something...aren't you supposed to ask a bunch of questions. Especially when you have been documented by every teacher in the previous classes as being a slower learner. I would think so, but then again...what do I know. I'm not a teacher that thinks they know all. I still can't believe that no one figured out that I had a learning disability before highschool. The fact that I picked up on reading is a nobrainer. I need something to really entertain me and captivate my mind in order for me to actually be able to concentrate on it for a longer period of time. Thats part of the reason I left college. Not just cuz I could not pick a major, but because I can't focus. I can't sit there in a classroom and listen to someone in a boring monotone voice talk on and on and on about something boring. I just can't.

Anyways.....reading my file at school helped me learn a lot about myself. According to my teachers' disses and compliments...the only 2 things I have going for me are the fact that I LOVE to read and that I have a great and open personality. Well...I wish I had known this a loooong time ago. I wouldn't of kept trying so hard. I am sooo screwed.

I guess reading my file wasn't such a good idea after all.....