Reflection #2

This reflection doesn't have anything to do with technology, but I've been thinking about it since I visited King's School in Seattle last week.

The teacher mentioned that one of the blessings of teaching in a private school was the parental involvement. She also said this is one of the most challenging parts of her job because her students come into the classroom with disrespect for the teacher. They enter the classroom knowing that the teacher might not always be right. I witnessed this during my observation.

The teacher was explaining a certain math concept when a student chimed in, "That's not the way my dad told me to do it." The sad part about this is that the dad was telling her the incorrect way to do the problem.

I have been mentally preparing myself, already, for the conversations I will need to have with parents and I wonder if a way exists to be on the same team... it seems like a gigantic double standard in our society: ask anybody and they'll tell you that teaching is a noble profession, but ask a parent about their opinion of their child’s teacher and you’ll get an opposite reaction. I feel like teachers are constantly having to prove themselves, more than any other profession, and are held to an unattainable standard.

I fear that this will be the reason I am fired someday. I dread the day when a parent says to me, “Well you’re not even a parent yet. How do you know what’s best for my child?” To which I will reply, “Tell me sir. How many years did you go to school to become a parent? Because I spent at least 6 years preparing for my profession.” Lord, please don’t ever let those words come out of my mouth, even if I really, really want to say them…

Maybe I am being just as bad as the parent by going into this thinking that all parents will be difficult to please. Maybe I need to change my mindset and realize that they just want what’s best for their student. I can understand that. Perhaps what I can’t understand here is when a parent threatens and belittles the teacher when their child doesn’t succeed. I hear so many stories like that. For a person who strives for the approval of others, avoids conflict at all costs, and can’t stand the idea of somebody not liking her, I am going to have one bumpy ride…