Parents, Keep It To Yourself

It’s funny.  As an educator you see and hear so many interesting things.  Sometimes all it takes to make a positive difference is a parent who really wants their child to excel.  If there is a problem and the teacher comes to you, whether you believe it or not, at least hear the teacher out.  You may learn something about your child you never knew.  Or you may find out something about the teacher you should know.

 Years ago I knew a teacher who really wanted to make a difference.  I know many great teachers but I’m making a point with this particular teacher.  She was having problems with three students in her class.  She went through all the appropriate channels to get them resolved.  She talked to the students themselves, administrators and parents. All to no avail.  She received no help from administrators and no cooperation from parents.  The bad behaviors escalated as the year progressed.  Finally, I heard something interesting.  One of the students was telling another student how her parents hated the teacher and wanted to beat up the teacher. The student was speaking in a passionate way.   Ah ha!  Obviously, I don’t know the whole story but now I realized why this student was carrying on a war campaign with the teacher, she heard what mom said.  Maybe I am wrong but I do know that this hate campaign was being fueled by mom’s anger at the teacher

Parents, ask any teacher, your kids bring their home issues to class very often.  What you say or do at home does not always stay at home – TRUST ME.  Private, intimate, illegal, damaging information comes right to the classroom.  I had a student not too long ago who had an issue with me.  Not at first, but after I met mom the student/teacher relationship went downhill.  He later admitted to me mom did not like me.  I saw him a year later and he greeted me warmly.  I don’t know what changed, I’m just glad it did.  His mom and I did not have any disagreements.  So I don’t know what that was about but it came to the classroom and made problems when there should not have been any problems at all.

Parents, if you don’t like your child’s teacher share that information with anyone except the child.  It can be detrimental to the child’s educational experience.  Talk to the teacher, believe it or not, we love to see parents.  You may be able to resolve the issue before it gets out of hand.  Your child’s coming to school should be a great experience for parent and child.