As a former educator I have ideas about education and parenting. I've learned as a fairly new parent (see signature) what I thought I knew, and what I actually KNOW are two very different things.
Parenting is easily the most humbling job in the world. WOW it's hard!
Some of the recent parenting posts has caused me to think about this -- PLUS one of my friends who I think is an excellent parent is having a really hard time with one of her daughter's teachers. She's asked for my help from the "teacher's perspective."
As a teacher I "knew" the "red flag parents" who had reputations of being very protective, argumentative, difficult or just plain mean where I taught. It was common knowledge what parents you had to be careful with and what ones you could just be fair and let the chips fall where they may. I taught in three different schools during my short career (before I had my own kids) and this theme was consistent with all three schools. I remember making a mental note as a married person without kids -- I did NOT want to be a "red flag parent!"
When I was a teacher, I tried EXTREMELY hard to treat all parents the same -- regardless of reputation -- until I had first hand experience with them.
So here's my question:
When does advocating for your child OR communicating with a child's teacher go from being conscientious to making you a "red flag parent?"
Obviously it depends on a lot of variables. I get that. However, pissing off your kids' teacher is not a good plan and should be reserved for a last resort meeting where an administrator is present.
I have no first hand experience with this as a parent. My kids are young and my daughter has had excellent pre-school teachers so far. I do have experience with this situation as a teacher -- a very different viewpoint than a parent.
Perhaps some of the vetran parents can comment??? I love reading everyone hash their opinions out. It helps me streamline my own views -- and helps me determine if my ideas come from an emotional place or a logical place. :|
Parenting is easily the most humbling job in the world. WOW it's hard!
Some of the recent parenting posts has caused me to think about this -- PLUS one of my friends who I think is an excellent parent is having a really hard time with one of her daughter's teachers. She's asked for my help from the "teacher's perspective."
As a teacher I "knew" the "red flag parents" who had reputations of being very protective, argumentative, difficult or just plain mean where I taught. It was common knowledge what parents you had to be careful with and what ones you could just be fair and let the chips fall where they may. I taught in three different schools during my short career (before I had my own kids) and this theme was consistent with all three schools. I remember making a mental note as a married person without kids -- I did NOT want to be a "red flag parent!"
When I was a teacher, I tried EXTREMELY hard to treat all parents the same -- regardless of reputation -- until I had first hand experience with them.
So here's my question:
When does advocating for your child OR communicating with a child's teacher go from being conscientious to making you a "red flag parent?"
Obviously it depends on a lot of variables. I get that. However, pissing off your kids' teacher is not a good plan and should be reserved for a last resort meeting where an administrator is present.
I have no first hand experience with this as a parent. My kids are young and my daughter has had excellent pre-school teachers so far. I do have experience with this situation as a teacher -- a very different viewpoint than a parent.
Perhaps some of the vetran parents can comment??? I love reading everyone hash their opinions out. It helps me streamline my own views -- and helps me determine if my ideas come from an emotional place or a logical place. :|
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