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
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!!
