So I got a call today...

And it was the headmaster of the school.  Usually that's for 3 reasons 1) all school message; 2) injury; 3) kid is in BIG trouble.

When I heard the headmasters actual voice (not his recorded voice) I was surprised and curious.  He would call if T was hurt... and Tristan... well - he doesn't get in THAT kind of trouble.

He called...VERY humbly... possibly in tears to thank me for this letter:

___________________________________________________________________

December 9, 2016

Jim Clarke

Grace Academy of Dallas

11306A Inwood Road

Dallas, TX  75229

Dear Mr. Clarke,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you and your staff at Grace.  Our family has been there for 5 years now and looking back, I can see God’s grace on our family.  Little did we know that Tristan would be diagnosed with dyslexia, but if I’m honest, I always knew something wasn’t right all the way back when we entrusted him into the loving hands of Joyce Molet and Ms. Mary!!

I spent Tristan’s Kindergarten year speaking to Brenda Galimore about my concerns and suspicions.  She supported Tristan and encouraged him in ways I could never have dreamed.  Little did I know, she would spend her time “saving me” as well.  The tears she has seen me cry, the encouragement she has given has truly changed my family.  To this day, she is a constant support to our family.

Going into 1^st grade we had a diagnosis and accommodations were asked for.  Adair Smith – she helped us understand the accommodations and helped us navigate within Grace.  We put a lot on Mary Katherine Hill – A LOT. She and Jean Fortune began the miracle working process of finding a way to reach and teach Tristan.  Mid-year, we added Anna Matheny on as a reading tutor and things finally started to click.  Tristan was far behind his classmates in reading but his teacher and tutors did everything to show him he wasn’t different, he just learned differently.  His friends in class never made fun of him, never questioned why he didn’t have to do things they did, they just knew Tristan needed help and that was ok.

I knew 2^nd grade would be harder, he was reading for comprehension, not just learning letters and words.  I prayed and begged God to choose someone that would love him and push him to be all he could be.  Lindsey Pettus was his chosen teacher and what a blessing she has been.  She loves him, she cares about him and mainly, she pushes him to believe in himself and be great.

Everyone I have mentioned about has changed Tristan’s life.  But it doesn’t stop there.  Sarah Blauser - constantly encouraging him and praising his work.  Beth Criner - Tristan’s love of sports (and his hyperactivity because of that) is something she embraces, not something that annoys her.

Tristan’s circle of people has made him who he is.  He isn’t perfect, he is 100% boy and can be wild some days but they still love and believe in him.  He is loving corrected and told to be respectful.  Expectations at Grace are set, I love that the bar is high and I love that he LOVES Grace.  Thank you for having resources like Heather Harvey for families like us that might need that extra support.  Thank you for Martina Sebecke, Jen Jackson, Amy Carwile and Shelly Burns for always smiling and helping you find your way in whatever request you may have.  THEY ALL MATTER and they all make Grace what it is.

So there is no real reason for this letter other than to thank you.  Thank you for employing a staff that cares.  That goes the extra mile.  I don’t know what God has in store for Tristan or when he’ll be an avid reader but I do know that my son is loved, protected, challenged and shepherded and for that I will forever be grateful.

Sincerely,   

Julie Barber

___________________________________________________________________

He said "Mrs. Barber, I kept waiting for the "but...." in your letter

and instead... he said "I'm just humble and grateful that you took the time to write that AND that our school has meant that to your family. And I really wish I could share that with my staff but there is confidentiality issues that I would never disclose"

I told him... and I meant this wholeheartedly... Tristan's education is the most important thing in the world to me along with his faith and Grace Academy has blessed him in both.  He would not be who he is OR where he is today without them.  And I told him he could absolutely share anything he wanted with the staff.  I'm an open book, there are not secrets revealed in this letter.  If this makes ANY of the teachers understand how critical to they are to our children, then it served its purpose.

I love you Grace Academy, I really, really do!