Every school year my kids’ teachers become part of the family.
Of all the traits required to be a quality teacher, I would think patience has to be at the top of the list.
That’s the same characteristic when it comes to being sane and successful parents, in my opinion, but after spending some time in my sons’ classrooms of late I truly came to appreciate how teachers’ threshold must be challenged daily.
I have always had respect for teachers. There were several memorable educators who left a mark on me, and I can still recall many of the special ones by their first and last names today. In most cases, I know exactly where they are today — still in the same classroom they taught me some years ago.
However, I think I appreciate them more now than ever before, thanks largely to both my kids now being in school. With that has come an improved perspective and understanding of the reality that teachers face each day.
I am amazed over what these folks endure. They carry a tremendously heavy load that comes with high expectations from their superiors as well as the parents of their students. As parents, we send our kids to school believing they will learn, behave and show the proper respect on a routine basis. That’s at least what we hope.
The reality is that’s not always the case, leaving teachers to don parenting hats quite often I imagine. It’s those who instinctively do this without any hesitation that are the tops in their field in my opinion.
As parents, we possess unconditional love for our kids. It’s immediate upon their birth and only grows and deepens as the journey evolves. However, I must admit mine was challenged this week when the 5-year-old of the house decided to microwave our iPad, which was subsequently destroyed.
That unconditional love and support does not necessarily have to be the case for teachers, but for the best it rings true, albeit on a different and more professional level. Teachers cannot coddle their students, but there’s no question — particularly in the lower school — there is a fine line between parenting and teaching. I think the best teachers do a little bit of both. There are situations that arise when teachers can use their experience as parents in school to achieve a goal with students that might have otherwise been more difficult. I assume the same goes at home when the roles are reversed.
Beckett, 6, has been blessed with special teachers in his early school career. His pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade teachers have had tremendous influences on him, and I know they have played major roles in his social maturation and taught him a tremendous amount.
On a number of occasions, I know he has worked extra hard on assignments and studying for tests because he doesn’t want to let his teachers down or embarrass himself before them. I like that because I remember feeling the same way when I was a student. He wants to do well for himself because he likes high achievements but it’s also to impress his teachers. That’s good leadership on the teachers’ part, and his methodology is fine by me. I encourage him to keep on with that line of thinking. I like that the foundation of high expectations we have laid at home continues in the classroom.
Due to his special needs, Carson, 5, has actually been in school for more than two years already and has also been touched by several teachers as well. Of course, we have to rely on our own observations for the most part because he cannot articulate verbally his perspective on the day.
During American Education Week, we had the opportunity to observe his day as a half-day afternoon pre-kindergartner. We watched as somehow the teachers were able to keep 4- and 5-year-olds in their seats for story time and various other activities. We were impressed with the mind control they seemingly had over the students and how the kids responded well to the day’s schedule and largely following directions. It was impressive even when the kids did get out of line how quickly they were able to get them back in order. There’s that patience thing again.
I couldn’t be a teacher. I barely have success getting my kids to do their homework every night. Kudos to all the teachers out there.
Nothing stops me from getting my boys outside to play.
I believe life is better and a little bit easier when they get to exercise and burn off some of that kid energy.
That’s especially the case in the winter when the weather can bring on cases of cabin fever. However, rarely does Mother Nature prevent us from getting outdoors.
Even on the most frigid of days, we bundle up and get outside. For example, on Wednesday, when schools were cancelled, the kids were antsy to get out in the morning and play in the half inch of snow and slush mix. I’m always game for getting out of the house so we layered up.
It wasn’t quite as they expected though, as freezing and throwing slush balls in the pouring rain was not exactly fun for them or me. That was one of the rare occasions I can ever recall Beckett saying let’s go inside without me having to force the issue.
Here’s to looking forward to spring.