Teacher Sentiments
teach·er
ˈtēCHər/
noun
a person who teaches, especially in a school.
Yet teachers are so much more. I would describe a teacher as a leader, a mentor, role model, influence, motivating force, friend, comforter, and so much more. In honor of teacher appreciation week I wrote a letter that I would like to share.
Dear Parents,
Do not set your child(ren) up for systematic failure. Many of our kids and the children in our community do not receive adequate help, time and attention they need in school. Schools don't have proper funding and many students suffer as a result of these circumstances. During my first year of teaching, I came in trying to be superwoman. I tried my best to connect with every student and help them to the BEST of my ability. However, I grew tired extremely fast. It was then that I realized there was a bigger issue at hand and I cannot fix it on my own. I understood that I was merely the starting point of the healing process to bridge this academic cap my community is experiencing.
Many, not all, parents are so focused on looks and less on book. Appearances are important but not as important as what's on the inside. The money being invested in $200 shoes would be better spent on a tutor, camps, and any other extra preparation for learning.
Please play an active role in your child's life, inside and outside the classroom. Force them to put down the phones and pick up a book, seriously. Do random check-ins and form positive relationships with their teachers. This is important because your child spends 8 hours of their day with their teachers. We see and hear a lot each and everyday, so do not be surprised if your child behaves differently at school than they do at home. In this day and time the power of influence is unbelievable. Monitor what they are watching on tv, their social media sites, games, music, etc. Hold them accountable for their actions. The earlier they are allowed to get away with things the harder it gets to control and correct them as they grow.
Stress the importance of education, respect and following directions. Teach them how to be kind and considerate in order to protect the mental health of our young kids. The suicide rate is steadily increasing for our children under the age of 18. Stress the boundaries between children and adults.
Otherwise, they fall behind and end to being passed along. That goes back to the systematic issue. It's easier to just pass them along rather than invest more time and energy into pulling them up to grade level. Eventually they become a chronic disruption to the learning environment to cover up the fact that they don’t understand the content because they are not preforming on grade level. They mock and mimic those students making a choice to do the right thing. They have no regards for rules and procedures and they eventually take those carefree behaviors into the real world. They make it harder on teachers to provide them with the assistance they need, ultimately widening the education gap. Remember it starts at home; their education, behaviors, disciple, etc. Teachers can only do so much but you (parents) have to take the initiative.
NOTE: profanity is not okay for KIDS. Kids nowadays are so comfortable using profanity in their everyday language and don’t even realize when they curse in the presence of adults.
Lastly, establish a firm relationship with your kids especially during middle school. They are experiencing so many changes (emotionally, mentally, physically).
Sincerely,
A teacher who cares ❤️.