PD for DS and his classmates...they lost a teacher

[momsgoofy]

Please keep DS (13) and his classmates in your prayers...they lost one of their teachers suddenly. The school doesn't have any information as to cause of death or funeral arrangements, but after speaking with one of the secretaries, I was told they suspect it was a heart attack. The teacher, Mr. A, as he was called, was maybe in his late 30s or early 40s, married with 3 very young children...the oldest was perhaps kindergarten or first grade and the youngest was perhaps one or two. He was DS's favorite teacher this year and understandably so...I worked with him for 2 years when I was an interpreter in the public schools. He was a great teacher...made science fun for the kids so they would want to learn. He was a stern teacher when the need arose, but usually very laid back, which made for a great learning environment.

I'm just glad that I happen to have been home when DS arrived...the first question I ask is, "How was your day?" or "Did you have a good day?" and today the answer was an adamant, "NOT GOOD." He couldn't even tell me...just dropped his backpack and handed me the letter sent home from the principal. I'm still stunned with the news. DS has been laying on his bed just watching tv for the last hour...I think he's letting it still soak in for now. The school has counselors available and all that, which is fantastic. I know the school will handle the situation fine.

It's just 2 things that concern me for DS...death isn't new to him...he was 8 when my mom died and we dealt with it well and other people he has known have died, but they were all "old" in his eyes or were very ill. This is the first person who has died suddenly that he has known, so I'm not even sure how or what to say...I do know that the words will come when needed and it will help when I know what happened. But, Mr. A was near to my and DH's age...and DS has been getting onto DH for not following all of the doctor's orders lately...so I'm worried DS might start to have some problems there...just pure speculation right now. And I guess I should hear my own momma's voice..."We'll cross that bridge when it comes." The other issue is academics...DS loved science this year, which is a first, and I know it's because of Mr. A. DS had a 100% for the first 2 quarters and I know his school work, particularly science will be affected. What concerns me most here is who will take over to teach science for the remaining half of the school year...I'm sure it will be a sub, but I am wondering if they will be able to find a sub who has a specialization in science...they need to for the kid's sake. One thought did occur to me...Mr. A's father was a science teacher at the same school until about 5 years ago, when he retired. I wondered if he might do it...he's still qualified, but not sure if it would be wise with both of them having the same name. (When I worked with them both the kids called the father, Big A, and the son, Little A to keep it straight. It was funny...Mr. A's (that would be little A, who just passed away) his second child was born during the time I worked there and the kids all teased both Big A and Little A that the new baby (a boy) would be called "Tiny A" and it stuck with the kids.

Well, thanks for letting me get this off my chest and please do keep DS, his classmates, and Mr. A's family in your thoughts and prayers as they all deal with his death.

 

[piglet too]

My condolences go out to his family, and all that are touched by his sudden death. I am sure that the school is going to be prepared with grief counselors, not only now, but later this year.

 

[mommytotwo]

 

[kdibattista]

Wow... how heartbreaking. Thoughts and prayers to the family

 

[glass-slipper]

I'm so sorry for your ds, losing a teacher like that is not easy. My dd's old Kindy teacher passed away of colon cancer when dd was in the 3rd grade and it was so difficult on the entire school.

 

[mrsv98]

DD's preschool teacher died this past June and it is so hard to deal with feeling sad but also wanting to take the sadness away from your child. Let him talk or not, I will bet that the school will have some counseling sessions for the kids and it may be easier for him to share in that situation than with you.

for you, DS and the family left behind

 

[MinnieM3]

Oh how horrible! I'm so sorry for all involved.

 

[Mishetta]

No advice....but I'm very sorry for the teacher's family & for all the children who don't know what to feel or how to express their loss right now.

 

[momsgoofy]

Thanks! DS is doing good...he opened up a bit more last night. It seems the students were held in the gym while the teachers/faculty had an emergency meeting then the kids were sent to first hour where the teacher told them. DS said they just went to the health class instead of science and that the counselor team was in the school for the entire day.

He felt up to going to his music lessons, which I'm glad he went. While he's at the lesson I run errands and ended up at Walmart where I saw a recently retired teacher from the school...we spoke. She told me her husband works at the hospital and was there when Mr. A came into the ER...complaining of pain in his back...apparently that is not uncommon for a certain heart attack, which is what is suspected to be the cause of death, but an autopsy is being performed. When I told DS what I learned, he said that maybe Mr. A had a small heart attack before and never knew it because he'd overheard some of the teachers saying Mr. A had complained of back pain last week. (DS also remembers that my dad's doctor told me Dad, being diabetic, may have had mini-heart attacks and never felt them due to the diabetes.)

Today when DS arrived home, he said the teachers corrected some of the info the kids were told...school said he died at home and they now know he died at the hospital. DS said the counselors were still there and they went to the health classroom again today and would probably do that for the rest of the week. DS still hasn't said if he want to go to the visitation and pay his respects, but I told him we could go if he wanted...I'm probably going anyway since I used to work with Mr. A.

We'll see how it goes, but so far things are working themselves out. I understand from the retired teacher that Mr. A's church family has been there to help and I know the family is close knit...not sure if he had any siblings because I don't recall any ever mentioned in conversation, but I know that they will pull through...the community is very close and supportive as well...Mr. A's wife worked in the bank in town and everyone knows them.

Thank you all for you thoughts and prayers, please continue to keep them as the family and friends that have been affected still need them.