If your child is attacked in any way at school, no matter how minor, it becomes a very personal and hurtful experience for you as a parent.
As an educator, many of us, I will not say all, feel the same way. Yet in so many situations are hands our tied. We watch as situations we feel deserve much more than a slap on the wrist are swept under the carpet so that the school doesn't "look bad" or "get a bad reputation" because a few bad apples.
So does that make it ok to only the publicize situation once they have hit the stage of a "hit list" and homemade bomb. Maybe if more parents knew what was really going on, and how much bullying occurs each and every day in all schools they might take it more seriously.
I chose the name of this blog very carefully. I am not placing blame, I am asking for help.
Each day we walk into that classroom trying to do the best job we possiblly can armed with only so many tools. When those children return home little pieces of what we have done are "undone" because parents truly see the school world so much differently from what it really is.
Take the time to ask. Take the time to dig deeper. Ask your child over and over. Never give up. Ask their friends too. You can never have too much information when it comes to making sure your child is safe. Teachers know a lot, but we don't know everything. We hope we can be that pair of eyes and ears that makes a difference, but children are masters of disguise.
We need you too!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Accountability
Each day as a middle school teacher I ask my students to be accountable. I want them to bring a pen, pencil and paper to class. I also want them to do their homework each evening and return each morning. I do my best to make sure that EVERY assignment that I send home is designed to help the student practice something important and NOT just be busy work.
I AM a parent, but I am not the student's parent.
I don't expect parent's to do the child's homework for them, but I do expect the parent to set expectations for how and where homework is done. It should not be done in front of the television while watching their favorite TV show, while on the cell phone, or while laying in bed listening to music. The kitchen table will do if a desk isn't available, but a proper work environment is necessary.
The parent is ACCOUNTABLE for knowing WHAT their child DID in school that day.
The parent is ACCOUNTABLE for knowing HOW their child DID in school that day.
It is NOT the Teacher's responsibility to call the parent each day to update the parent about how the child is doing. The Teacher has to update grades in a timely manner and notify parent's whenever a student's behavior changes in a manner that is out of the ordinary.
It is fair to expect a Teacher to respond to any parent correspondence in a timely manner as well. I am in no way taking everything away from the teacher, but I am definitely placing much more responsibility and A LOT more Accountability back in the Parent's hands where it truly belongs.
At the middle school level, student's are learning independence and if they want to earn that they need to be held Accountable and reminded that it is up to them to communicate what is going on at school each day if they are going to have a successful relationship with both their teachers and their parents throughout the rest of their School Career.
I AM a parent, but I am not the student's parent.
I don't expect parent's to do the child's homework for them, but I do expect the parent to set expectations for how and where homework is done. It should not be done in front of the television while watching their favorite TV show, while on the cell phone, or while laying in bed listening to music. The kitchen table will do if a desk isn't available, but a proper work environment is necessary.
The parent is ACCOUNTABLE for knowing WHAT their child DID in school that day.
The parent is ACCOUNTABLE for knowing HOW their child DID in school that day.
It is NOT the Teacher's responsibility to call the parent each day to update the parent about how the child is doing. The Teacher has to update grades in a timely manner and notify parent's whenever a student's behavior changes in a manner that is out of the ordinary.
It is fair to expect a Teacher to respond to any parent correspondence in a timely manner as well. I am in no way taking everything away from the teacher, but I am definitely placing much more responsibility and A LOT more Accountability back in the Parent's hands where it truly belongs.
At the middle school level, student's are learning independence and if they want to earn that they need to be held Accountable and reminded that it is up to them to communicate what is going on at school each day if they are going to have a successful relationship with both their teachers and their parents throughout the rest of their School Career.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
What is a Teacher?
A Teacher is defined as one who instructs. This seems pretty simple. If you send your child to school the teacher should be "teaching" the subjects your child receives a grade in on their report card. That means Reading, Writing, Social Studies, Math, Science, Gym, Art, and Music. Occasionally another subject or two is thrown in like Spanish or Technology.
Has your child ever received a grade for Manners or how about for Making Good Decisions? Yet from Kindergarten through Middle School teachers are held accountable, yes I said accountable, by many parents for teaching these skills to their children.
What happened to parenting?
What class in college taught a teacher how to fit in their 6 hour day...Respect 101?
Does it squeeze naturally into a 40 minute class period that isn't long enough to cover the curriculum for the day anyways?
So again I ask...what is a teacher? One who instructs? What do they instruct...just their assigned subjects?
Has your child ever received a grade for Manners or how about for Making Good Decisions? Yet from Kindergarten through Middle School teachers are held accountable, yes I said accountable, by many parents for teaching these skills to their children.
What happened to parenting?
What class in college taught a teacher how to fit in their 6 hour day...Respect 101?
Does it squeeze naturally into a 40 minute class period that isn't long enough to cover the curriculum for the day anyways?
So again I ask...what is a teacher? One who instructs? What do they instruct...just their assigned subjects?
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