the good & bad about kids getting older

I really enjoy watching Jake going through school and all of his grades and learning new things and him telling me about them. Jake is now in 5th grade. Which we have begun to learn this is the year where the nice, cutesy teachers end. These 5th grade teachers are about business and then some fun. Jacobb probably has a pretty cool teacher, but we have learned he is a tough love kind of teacher. And if any of you know anything about me.... I am a MAJOR softy. I do not like to have my kids (or any kids) upset, crying, hurt, frustrated, etc. It KILLS me. Which is really not a good thing. I have to learn to be mean (well probalby more strict then mean). Thankfully, I have pretty good kids so it hasn't been too much of a problem.
Anyway, Jacobb tells me yesterday, through tears, how much he hates his teacher...I ask him what happened?? Jacobb tells me he was trying to finish up his homework from another class and his teacher was showing pictures up on the board. Since Jacobb wasnt paying attention to his teacher, his teacher told him to bring up his paper and the teacher, I guess, ripped it up into tiny little pieces! I was running about 15 minutes late, so I told him when I get home, he needs to get in the car and we are going back to the school. I was PISSED ! Jacobb didn't want to go back to the school, he didnt want me to call his teacher and he said he had what he needed to re-do his assignment.
So, I call the teacher and left a voicemail asking him pretty much what the hell? Nicely of course. I was wondering was he at his wits end with jake? I mean what cause him to do something so harsh?!?!?
Well, his teacher called me back this morning. He Said "No, I wasnt at my wits end with Jacobb, but i had asked him to put it away and he turned right around and started working on it again." This sounds like something jacobb would do at home because we ( I mean Me) are pushovers ! So, after talking with the teacher, I thought his harsh actions were certainly something Jacobb could learn from....though rippping up his homework like that , in front of the whole class, was certainly over the top. Thankfully it was an assignment that only took Jacobb a couple of minutes to re-do.
Now if only I could get the teacher to do the "tough love lesson" and have it carry on at our house. NAH, I cant handle my kid crying in class!