Maybe this is a vent session, but I just came back from our school's open house and I'm exhausted. The principal and parents were congratulating me on how well everything was...bla bla bla...getting to the point. Why are some parents so consumed on thinking the teachers are wrong. I had ONE parent tonight that told me off in front of all of the other parents and students. She wanted to know why her daughter didn't have better penmenship. I teach 6th grade, not elementary!! That made me feel worthless especially all the back breaking work I did to make this night special. If you are a parent, please be appreciative of your teachers and all they do for your children. They are your children's second parents because they not only have them all day long, but they actually care about them and want to see them succeed just as much as you do.
2007-03-08 16:34:54 · 8 answers · asked by lala D 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Thank you all so much for your wonderful words of advice. It is very much appreciated.
2007-03-09 02:17:27 · update #1
I'm sure the same thing happened tonight that happens when some jerk is showing his/her butt at a store- all the other customers are looking at the jerk, not the sales clerk having to deal with the jerk. The same can be said of the parent you dealt with tonight. All the other parents are thinking, "What a weirdo! Why didn't that mom think of this a long time ago?" Or even better, they're remembering how rude she was LAST year, and the year before that, and the year before that...
The mantra I keep having to repeat to myself this year is that I'm not teaching the parents- I'm teaching their children. When the parent proves to be an idiot beyond repair, I scrape 'em off.
2007-03-09 14:57:42 · answer #1 · answered by elizabeth_ashley44 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You seem to have the kind of attitude teachers should have--and it's a shame that you were made the burnt of this parent's anger when you obviously were not to blame.
But the cold hard truth is that schools--and thus teachers--are failing our young people. And however good you may be personally, as a part of "the system" you are going to feel some of the heat.
The most recent "National Report card" released a few weeks abo showed continuing--and worsening performances in basic lverbal and math skills. That doesn't suddenly appear in the 12th grade--it is evidence of a general failure of the educational process.
Again--I think you are one of the (unfortunately all too few) good teachers. But until schools start doing the job of teaching children better, you are going to catch some of the criticism, whether you deserve it personallly or not.
2007-03-09 01:25:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
After you vent, and rightfully so, take a deep breath and then remember all the other parents who were supportive and appreciative of the efforts you make to be a great teacher.
It is a bummer that one negative person can outweigh a whole group of good ones. Don't let that parent get you down. You are human, you do the best you can and apparently you do it pretty well by most people's opinions.
We can't please everyone, so don't beat yourself up when you know the criticism was out of line.
2007-03-08 20:11:56 · answer #3 · answered by szivesen 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you 100 percent. I, too, had a parent belittle me in front of other parents over something that should have been learned 4 years earlier. Parents get the words 'education' and 'schooling' mixed up. Parents forget that practicing these skills are done at home, hopefully, with the parents. Parents need to blame someone, and it won't be them, so they blame us. Don't let that person ruin the experience for you. Remember, she gave you the 'schooling' of chewing you out. What you learn from it is the 'education'. Good luck.
2007-03-08 21:14:52 · answer #4 · answered by wilsonmatthewf 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just consider the source and ignore the parent who wants someone to blame for her own inadequacies. Unfortunately, teachers have never gotten either the appreciation or the pay appropriate for all they do (and even sadder, they probably never will). Few people who have not been teachers realize the incredible amount of time that most teachers spend outside of the classroom doing plans, decorating the classroom, grading papers, etc. They also do not realize that most teachers spend lots of their own money to buy classroom supplies.
2007-03-08 19:27:43 · answer #5 · answered by Lillian L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That parent deserves a kick. Penmanship is only taught in elementary school, and even then, it's the responsibility of the parent to ensure that penmanship stays good and consistent. A teacher can only do so much!
2007-03-08 16:39:07 · answer #6 · answered by Chocolate Strawberries. 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I understand you, and feel your sorrow. I used to be a teacher. I can tell you, by experience, that many parents throws on the teachers theirs own fault.
I something like this happen again, I suggest you to say:
Very good you noticed. But the matter can't be discussed publicly. Please, call me tomorrow to set a date.
Probably this girl needs medical attention.
2007-03-08 20:23:19 · answer #7 · answered by diamond 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope you told her that you work on teaching a whole classroom 6th grade material. So she should address her own daughter's "special needs" or "remedial issues" at home.
2007-03-08 16:44:08 · answer #8 · answered by contemplating 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋