As a middle school Spanish teacher, I bear witness to a vast variety of children’s behavior. Some good, some bad. I’m always amazed though when I call home and a parent seems shocked by what I tell them. Like I’ve dialed the wrong number. Like the child they’ve raised is nothing like the child I and other teachers see for a period each day.
That’s when I started thinking, what would I want their parents to know about the side of their double lives that I see? What do I wish they could impart to their child before they show up at my door? Yes, I am a teacher and yes, it is my job to help them become better people in addition to learning Spanish. But I get 43 minutes a day. You get their whole lives. What you don’t get is an insight into how they behave when they aren’t with you. What they need your help with so desperately. So, maybe I can help.
As parents, you have a lot of expectations for your child’s teachers. As you should. But you already know what you want me to teach them. Here’s what I wish you would teach them.
Maybe together we can impact a generation.
That’s when I started thinking, what would I want their parents to know about the side of their double lives that I see? What do I wish they could impart to their child before they show up at my door? Yes, I am a teacher and yes, it is my job to help them become better people in addition to learning Spanish. But I get 43 minutes a day. You get their whole lives. What you don’t get is an insight into how they behave when they aren’t with you. What they need your help with so desperately. So, maybe I can help.
As parents, you have a lot of expectations for your child’s teachers. As you should. But you already know what you want me to teach them. Here’s what I wish you would teach them.
Maybe together we can impact a generation.