My children have been back in school for about 2 weeks now. They were kind of done after that first day and began asking when the next vacation was, but luckily with the help of great teachers we are coming into the groove of things.
This last week my husband and I attended a back-to-school night where we were given a tour of our children’s classrooms and had the opportunity to hear the curriculum plans for the year. As we were sitting there and listening to each of our children’s teachers, hearing their enthusiasm and seeing all of the work and preparation they had put in before school started, we started wondering if there were some things these teachers really would like us as a parent to know, but couldn’t share in such a setting.
So I hit Facebook and asked if there were any teachers who could share with me some of the things they would like parents to know. Messages came pouring in all day via text, private messaging and some replies on Facebook to my question. I was touched by their thoughtful and honest answers, but most importantly by the love that all of these teachers shared for their various students.
So here are some things your child’s teacher wants you to know:
“It can be hard for a teacher to give individual attention to each child, even though they really want to.”
“It is so very important to read at home everyday!”
“Every child is different–even siblings. Even twins. Parents need to stop putting so much pressure on their kids. I’ve had kids sob over B’s because they knew their parents would be mad.”
“It’s hard when you have varying abilities in your class. You want to challenge the high kids and give extra help to the kids who are struggling. It’s hard to find a balance.”
“I want parents to trust me and to know that I am really good at what I do and to trust that I will do good by their kids.”
“Sometimes there are those parents who suffer and make everyone else suffer, with “not my child” syndrome. Even if you try to tell the parent with the syndrome with compassion about a negative behavior or choice, some have blinders on and literally will not accept what their child has done. This is sad because as a parent you cannot help your child if you refuse to believe they are misbehaving! You also are not able to help the teacher work with you as a team. I would encourage all parents to say after hearing a teacher deliver some bad news to talk to their child at home in a safe non-condemning way, ask questions like: Tell me what happened with Johnny today? Or how do you feel you handled talking to Mrs. Jones today, do you feel comfortable with the words you chose to use?… No parent is perfect, no teacher is perfect, and absolutely no child is perfect either. As a parent you should be your children’s champion, but you can’t be if you get into the “not my child” syndrome and refuse to accept the truth about their misbehavior. The opportunity to help, and be united with the teacher in helping this precious child is missed.”
“If your child is struggling, a new school is probably not going to make a difference, especially not an advanced, accelerated one.”
“Please keep communication open with us so that we can know any personal struggles going on with your child. It makes a difference!”
“Please feed your children breakfast and send a morning snack–it really does help them.”
“Kids should have some extra-curricular activities but I feel it’s getting extreme. They are exhausted!”
“Teaching is like conducting a full orchestra. You have to be aware of so many things all at once. And you have to adjust the section that’s out of tune, and slow down the one that’s racing through the music, and help the one that’s lagging. You have to keep the audience happy and the boss. And you have to let every musician feel special, smart and loved. It’s quite exhausting but when kids have those ah-ha moments it’s totally worth it!”
Happy Back-to-school season!
Stay Happy! Stay Informed!
Love,
Jen
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