Today on The View, the ladies talked about young teachers not being trained in how to keep control of their classroom. They learn how to teach the subjects, but not how to gain control over their class. Joy felt class size is a huge factor in teachers keeping control. Elizabeth felt it begins at home and a lot of children are not getting the discipline they need at home.

I agree with both of them. Class sizes are getting out of control. If a teacher must handle a lot of children during the day, they spend more time chasing and less time teaching. I’m not a teacher but I’m the product of two teachers. My mom still teaches preschool today. I’ve volunteered in my daughter’s classroom. This doesn’t make me an expert, but it has opened my eyes to the difficulties teachers face.

In a class of 20 children, you are going to have 20 different personalities, disciplines, home lives, places in their learning and maturing. Different learning styles and different personalities. When my daughter was in kindergarten, the class always hinged on out of control. Her kindergarten teacher was in her first year of teaching and kept the children in line. But she spent a huge amount of time getting one to sit down, another to focus on their book, another to listen and so on and so on.

So much of the class time was spent keeping control, the learning felt secondary. There were three to four of the children that took the greatest amount of the teacher’s time. These were also the students I could see falling behind later in school. Being brushed aside because they didn’t focus or learn as quickly as the others. They weren’t bad children, they didn’t get enough of what they needed at home or they had a learning disability or they just weren’t maturing as quickly as their peers. They just needed more time and energy from the teacher.

This of course was kindergarten and now in second grade, the same children still need an extra push, but fortunately my daughter’s school does a great job at giving extra attention to those who need extra attention and those who need extra challenges. They look at every student’s learning style and work to teach to it. Not something that happens at every school.

I agree with Joy in that class size is a very important factor in keeping control in the classroom. The more children a teacher must focus on, the less time they have to actually teach. Children need discipline, respect and boundaries at home that will transfer when they are out in the real world.

“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will  receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my  review.”

I love Valerie Bertinelli. I’m not exactly sure why. Maybe it’s her likeable and down to earth personality. Maybe it’s because I’m fascinated with her Hollywood lifestyle and marriage to a rock star. Maybe it’s because she starred in One Day at a Time and I identified with her character. Either way, I’ve always been a fan of Valerie’s. (Yes, we are on a first name basis now).

I had to watch her guest co-host on The View today.

The ladies were discussing Barbara Walter’s final pre-Oscar celebrity special. On it she interviews Mo’Nique and Sandra Bullock. Both said their husbands were very important forces in their lives. Mo’Nique said she believed in open marriage. I can strongly state that I don’t believe in open marriage for myself. I can’t see how allowing others into your bond, your partnership, your family could possibly strengthen it over weaken it. But hey, if it works for Mo’Nique, I’m not judging.

As for having a supportive, life changing husband, I agree with. Mine is my rock. He is my best friend, my shoulder to cry on, a partner to laugh with. He above all, supports me in everything I do, even if he doesn’t agree with it. He will tell me the pants I have on make me look fat or if I have a booger. This is all good. I’d rather look ridiculous in front of him, because I know he loves me, even with a booger in my nose, instead of in front of the harsh public. I definitely don’t need people laughing at my atomic wedgie behind me in the mall.

I only hope I come close to being as strong for him as he is for me. I’m not sure I will ever attain that status. I will, however, always let him know he has a booger. Snickering included.

Thanks D for being my wonderful, dear husband. You have brightened my life in countless ways since we met and I don’t know what I would do without you.

If you missed my BFF Valerie on The View, you can watch the episode on ABC.Go.com.

I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my review.

I am so excited to announce that I was chosen by Mom Central to be a Brand Ambassador for The View. I love The View and try to sneak it in when I can. I don’t get to see every episode due to my work schedule and children, but I watch snippets when I can and keep it recording on my DVR.

I have always enjoyed Joy Behar and her insightful comments. I haven’t had a chance to check out her new show, maybe I should put that on my DVR too.

The View made it’s best decision by bringing on Whoopi Goldberg. I have always been a fan of Whoopi, but find her voice of reason on The View so refreshing, positive and most importantly true. Whoopi speaks not to politics, politicians or what’s polite. She says it as it is, doesn’t hold punches and puts it out there. Maybe Whoopi should run for public office.

Joy and Whoopi are my favorites, but I love all the girls, their Hot Topics and guests. I can’t wait to hear what will be discussed each day on The View.

Now you can win a trip to New York City with a friend to watch a taping of The View. Fill out the Mom Central survey by February 28th for a chance to win.

For a schedule or more on The View, check out their website.

I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my review.