Wowza! Who’s ready to go teach today? Teaching IS one of the hardest yet most rewarding jobs on the planet. I speak from experience. And what people say about teachers being underpaid and overworked…Yes it is TRUE! There is no other job where you get to teach the subject you love, be a like a parent to a bunch of kiddos, be a disciplinarian, be stern yet loving, be going a million miles a minute, be entertaining, be challenging, be inspiring, be a shoulder to cry on, be a club sponsor, and the list could go on and on. I rarely had my weekends and evenings to myself when I taught. I was either preparing lessons, grading papers, or at school-sponsored events. Teaching is not a job…it’s a lifestyle. And to be effective, you have to be all IN!
Honestly, the one thing teachers really need from parents is their RESPECT. Gratitude helps too. Pray for your children’s teachers. Get to know them and open the lines of communication. Be thankful to your child’s teacher and volunteer when you can. All teachers have at least four year degrees, and they are some of the most well-trained professionals out there. My father is a doctor and believe me I was in training and continuing education classes a lot more than he ever was. Yea, yea, I know it is not the same as going to medical school, but I don’t think most people understand the amount of hours that teachers spend in continuing education and in keeping up their certifications.
How else can you help your child’s teacher? Don’t ever show up without an appointment or scheduled visit. Because teachers schedules are jam packed, they won’t have time to devote to you unless they know you are coming. Once, I had a student’s parent fling open the door in the middle of me teaching a lesson and say, “I need to speak with you.” It was simply embarrassing for their child who was in my class. It ruined the flow of my lesson for the rest of the twenty odd number of kids in our classroom, and it was disrespectful. In my kindest yet most commanding voice I said, “I really can’t speak with you right now because I am teaching, but I’d be happy to meet with you at a later scheduled time.” Respect a teacher’s time, and they will respect their time with you and your child.
Another simple thing you can do is listen to the teacher’s advice about your child. Teachers go into teaching because they love kids, and they want to help them. I can’t tell you how many mama and papa bears that I encountered over the years who weren’t willing to listen to the advice of myself and other trained professionals. So many parents immediately got on the defensive when something challenging was being conveyed about their child. It was difficult to watch as teachers felt frustrated not being able to speak the truth to parents who just weren’t interested in truly listening. I know its hard as a parent to see through our rose colored glasses because we love our babies so much. But more often than not, an outside observer can speak truth into you and your child’s life. I know every once in a while you come across a teacher who is cranky and probably should have retired already, but for the majority of teachers that’s just not the case.
So, that’s just a snippet of a day in the life of a school teacher. Think differently…it’s not what your child’s teacher can do for you, but what you can do for them. Be kind, respectful and thankful, and you won’t go wrong! Tell that to your kiddos too!
Be Blessed,
Allison D
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