Would it be difficult for you to go to a job everyday where you felt unappreciated, underpaid and severely overworked?
While this may actually be a reality for many, there is one group of employees who never seem to get their just due: teachers.
School is officially back in session for all of Central Indiana. With the new semester under way, many of our most valued teachers are still not given the proper recognition, are under-compensated, and have multiple responsibilities that exceed educating their students.
I have many friends and family members who are educators. Time and time again, I hear them complain about a multitude of things in regards to their professions. However, despite their frustrations — these committed individuals return to work year, after year, after year because they’re committed to the students they teach.
While the 2008-2009 school year is still new, I challenge parents to do more to not only ensure their child’s success, but also the success of teachers. At the request of various teachers, I’ve compiled a wish list of items various teachers would like implemented. Hopefully parents will adhere to some of the requests, which if adhered to, would result in a more successful school year.
Request 1: Be involved
One of the main complaints I’ve heard from teachers is that parents aren’t as involved as they used to be. Not only do some parents fail to attend conferences or return teachers’ phone calls, but they also aren’t taking a proactive role in their child’s studies. Teachers urge parents to not only ask their children if they have homework, but also make sure it gets completed. In addition, it’s recommended that parents check their child’s work to ensure it’s as correct as possible. While many parents may feel teens are responsible enough to make sure their own work is completed, nearly all of the teachers I spoke with said they have a harder time getting teenagers to complete their homework assignments than they do elementary and middle school kids.
Request 2: Promote education
Studies show if parents are proponents of quality education and make that point clear to their children, then that child is more likely to work harder in school. Explaining early on the advantages of a good education helps students understand the magnitude of their academic success. Teachers suggest that parents always “talk-up” the importance of working hard and making good grades, even when a child may be struggling in a particular subject.
Request 3: Form an alliance with your child’s teacher
“I’ve had parents accuse me of being unfair and criticizing my teaching methods based off what their child said, without ever asking for my side of the story,” said one teacher of a local charter school.
Parents should understand that sometimes kids can manipulate or stretch the truth regarding certain situations to shift the blame. It’s recommended that parents initially form an alliance with teachers. However, if they feel that teacher is doing something wrong, parents should address the issue with the appropriate supervisor. Confronting teachers without getting the full story is never a good idea.
Request 4: Address problems at home
The role of many teachers has expanded to include security officer and social worker. The teachers I spoke with said they often find themselves spending just as much time “counseling” students as they do teaching them.
“There are so many issues some of these kids have to deal with on a day-to-day basis,” said an elementary school teacher. “It’s almost impossible to teach a child who is more concerned about whether daddy is beating up mommy, than learning their multiplication tables. Parents need to effectively address any unsafe or difficult issues at home so that when their child is at school, education is the only thing on their mind.”
Request 5: Stop being a friend and hold your child accountable
Sometimes parents are so focused on being their child’s friend that they fail to address certain things that should possibly result in disciplinary action. There’s a way to have an open and friendly relationship with your child, while also being an effective parent. Teachers say that many students brag about their “friendship” with their parents and feel confident that they won’t be held responsible for any wrongdoings.
Parents should always assume the authority position with their child and hold them accountable for their actions.
