After Georgie was born, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania taught me a lot about how to be a good parent—and a better person. We were lucky to meet so many wonderful teachers along the way, people who offered invaluable guidance through simple, everyday lessons I could actually put into practice amidst the chaos of family life.

When Georgie was about to start second grade, his classroom teacher was Mr. John Hoover. Before school began, Mr. Hoover invited us to visit the classroom and get acquainted. Georgie and I were both excited and a little nervous. Honestly, I had hoped Georgie would get Kyle’s old second-grade teacher, whom I considered “the best!” So I wasn’t sure what to expect from Mr. Hoover.

That day, Mr. Hoover welcomed us with warmth and ease. He showed Georgie where he’d be sitting—right next to a few of his best friends. Georgie beamed as he named them and pointed to their desks. Mr. Hoover had clearly done his homework; he’d read Georgie’s file and noticed that one of his IEP goals was to learn the days of the week. And he had a plan.

Each morning, Mr. Hoover began class with a song on his guitar. There were five songs on rotation—one for each weekday.

• Monday: This Land Is Your Land
• Tuesday: BINGO
• Wednesday: Puff the Magic Dragon
• Thursday: We Are Family
• Friday: Country Roads

Georgie would be his helper. Every morning, as Mr. Hoover took out the guitar, he’d ask Georgie, “What day is it? And what’s our song?”

“If you could reinforce it at home,” Mr. Hoover told me, “He’ll pick it up quickly.”

And he did.

Each morning, as I rushed all the kids to the school bus, I’d call out, “Georgie, what day is it?”
If he got stumped, I’d give him a hint: “Country Roads?”
And he’d shout back, “FRIDAY!”

Just like that, Georgie learned the days of the week.

But we both learned something else, too. I saw how tying learning to something Georgie loved—like music—could turn a challenge into joy. Mr. Hoover reminded me that the best teaching meets kids where they are and moves forward with play, warmth, and a little guitar.