My job started the moment your child entered my classroom for the first time. They were already eleven years old, and already had an educational foundation given to them by five other teachers. Your job started the moment that beautiful child came into this world and took their first breath. Their eyes were full of wonder and hope, and you were the person they looked at to guide them on this journey called life. The first time they smiled, you were there to witness it, and the first time they felt pain, you were there to comfort them. Every decision you made since they were born has affected them, and every decision you make from here forward will affect them.
Every parent wants their child to grow up with the world at their fingertips, and has aspirations that they will become strong, independent adults, capable of anything. There is just one problem, they can't do it alone. They need YOU. Lately, all of the Common Core talk has been about teachers and the educational system getting kids college, career, and life ready, but what about the parents? What part do you play? I'll tell you what, I can be the very best teacher that ever was, and I can spend every hour of my day teaching your child what they need to know to be successful in life, but it only goes so far. My job becomes almost impossible if you haven't been educating your child at home. I'm not talking about math, world history, or science. I'm talking about character skills. Life skills.
In order for the educational system in our country to improve, the biggest thing that needs to change is parent involvement. We need people to step up, and start being involved, effective parents.
How many of you actually take the time to look through your child's backpack every night, or sit down with them on a daily basis and really talk about their day without a phone in your hand, or a TV buzzing in the background? Being an effective parent is much more than checking the online grade book every day, or providing a safe home, clothes, and food for your child. It's about teaching them manners, and the value of being polite to others. It's about giving them chances to mess up, and then learn how to pick up the pieces on their own. Let them know that failure is a part of life, and that it's necessary in order to grow and learn.
It's about putting responsibility for their education on THEM. They only way they will learn to value their education is if they learn to OWN IT. If they are missing assignments, or have low test grades, have conversations with them, and do not put blame on the teacher. Ask them why. Work with them, and their teachers, to find a solution and get them back on track.
Being an effective parent is about modeling appropriate behavior. If you do not want your child going to school and solving their problems with profanity and violence, then do not demonstrate those behaviors yourself, at home. It's about being there for them when they need you the most, no matter what. It's about being involved with their schools. Go to parent teacher nights, go to basketball games, go to the Fall Carnival. Show them that you care about what happens in their lives.
Stop thinking selfishly, and start thinking selflessly.
Let's face it. Nobody is perfect, and there is no such thing as a perfect parent. We will all make mistakes at one point or another, but the important part is that we evolve from those mistakes and use them as learning opportunities. I'm not asking you to be a perfect parent, and I absolutely am not telling anyone how to raise their child. I'm just a teacher at a small town middle school. I don't even have children of my own yet. But what I have done is look at your child's bright face as they sat in my classroom for the first time. I've helped dry their tears after they found out their father lost his job, I've celebrated success with them as they come in beaming with pride after winning a baseball game, I've seen them hide report cards in fear of bringing them home, and I've witnessed pure elation when they aced their last spelling test and couldn't wait to go home and put it on the fridge. Every single day, I see the effect you have on your child. For many, it shows through as bright and vibrant as the sun, but for others, it sends me home in tears as I realize there isn't much more I can do.
I am asking you all, please, be an advocate for your child. If we have any hope of turning the educational system in this country around, it begins with you. Please teach your children to be proud. Teach them to be gritty and tenacious, and to keep going even when they feel defeated. Teach them to be knowledge hungry, and to never stop being curious and wanting to learn more. Teach them what the true meaning of respect means, and how to not only respect others, but also themselves. Teach them to take ownership of everything they do, and how to crawl their way back if they fall behind. As teachers, we need you to step up. We need you to get involved, and we need you to help us build the foundation your child needs in order to stand on their own two feet someday.
My job will end the day that your child walks out of my classroom for the last time. As a parent, your job will never truly end. You are blessed to guide your child all the days of their life. Even when you aren't there physically someday, they will still keep in mind all the things that you have taught them through the years, and they will still draw upon the values and morals that you have instilled in them. Your child needs you. My job title is that of a teacher, but so is yours. In more ways than one...you are a much greater teacher than I could ever be.
Respectfully Yours,
A Desperate Teacher
