Thank You Teachers!!!!

As the school year comes to a close, I just want to Thank Teachers. Most of them are not appreciated, paid or given enough credit for what they do for our children on a daily basis. 

I have been lucky (and I know this) that my first son has been a breeze and it was smooth sailing so far as he finishes up Middle School and heads to High school in the fall. He has never struggled or been in trouble, so I do realize and maybe don’t fully understand some of the run ins other parents may have had in those categories with teachers. I also realize that ALL teachers are not GREAT teachers, but the ones I have been lucky enough to deal with so far have been and this is the kind of teacher I am referring to. I have several friends that are teachers and they have wanted to be teachers all their lives. These types of teachers love our children and it’s not just their “job”, it’s their purpose in life to educate, inspire, motivate and make a difference in our children’s lives. 

Too many people send their child off to elementary school, oh free daycare. They are educators not Nannies. They also see a different child than you do or the same child but in a different light. They give advice and too many times parents don’t believe them, well please believe them, trust them and consider it like as you would if you were talking to their pediatrician. 

Teachers deal with so much and are trying to make a difference in classrooms across America that are filled to capacity. So I think sometimes we need to step back and take another look……..

Behavior, Your child misbehaves in school. Parents are immediately on the defense. They turn to the child and say “Is this true?” No dumbass the teacher called you in for this conference to lie to your face. Of course it’s true. Don’t be demeaning, doubtful or talk negatively about their teachers in front of them, that is not going to help anyone.

Stop making excuses for them. They know the assignments, they know how they are expected to act, they know the dress code, they know they can’t play sports if they fail, they knew when the test was; they know when the homework is due.  Some parents will make excuses regardless of the situation, and they are raising children who will grow into adults who turn toward excuses and do not do what they should but expect things to be given to them anyway.

As a parent I know it's OK for children to get in trouble sometimes, it’s normal; it builds character and teaches life lessons. As a parent I know if a child is given a 70 on a project/test, then that is what they deserved. As a parent I also know you don't have to set up a time to meet every time the child misbehaves or does lousy on a test, maybe you should take the time meet with your child and hold them accountable. 

This day in age a Teacher is more than an educator. They play mother, father, psychologist, friend, and adviser every day. Plus, they are watching for learning

disabilities, issues at home, peer pressure, drug abuse, and bullying. Hell, in today’s world they are risking their lives to save them or even dying saving them, from intruders with guns, bombs, students that take their own school hostage and laying their own bodies over your child to save them in a natural disaster. These teachers love your children.

Teachers don’t arrive at school 10 minutes before your child does and leave the minute they get back on the bus. Many of them put in extra hours before and after school, to plan, tutor students, grade papers, have meetings and just to make themselves accessible at a convenient time for you and your child.

I love my children as much as you love yours. I think as a parent we need to trust, support and work with the system not against it. Respect your children’s teachers and their school, in return they will too. Parents and teachers really are on the same side. 

I think the students teachers remember most are the happy, respectful, participating, well mannered and the ones that give 100%; it’s not necessarily the ones with the highest grades.

As a parent the teachers I LOVED in elementary school were the ones with big ideas, the ones who went out of their way to help my child, and the ones who had full on and great communication skills. Now as a parent of a teenager who is heading to high school in the fall, I remember the ones my boy comes home and talks about. The classes he tells me about. I know they must be the kind of teacher that deserves appreciation and recognition.

Again, I realize not ALL teachers live up to this but for the ones who do THANK YOU!!