By Jeanni Ritchie
Dear Parents,
It’s been a while since I welcomed kids on the first day of school, squeaky clean desks and full size pencils signaling the beginning of a fresh start. But I haven’t forgotten the excitement of a new year.
Or that by Christmas, most of those pencils will be nubs, running about as short as our patience. We are human too.
But we went into this field to make a difference. We love children. Well, most of us do. Trust me when I tell you we aren’t fans of teachers who don’t like kids either.
Here are a few other things you won’t hear us say. But I think most with degrees in education would agree.
*We really want to be on a team with you. If we present a united front to your child, misbehavior goes down and learning goes up. It’s a win-win for all of us.
*We understand that each child has different needs. We try our best to accommodate different learning strategies, use positive reinforcement, and help students make connections to the materials we teach. If you believe your child’s needs aren’t being met, talk to us. We are truly solution-oriented.
*Sometimes our principal is our biggest ally; sometimes our biggest enemy. That’s luck of the draw. Please don’t make a bad situation worse or try to create a problem where there is none.
*It’s hurtful when you accuse us of not caring. We buy supplies out of our pockets, snacks for kids who arrive at school hungry, and pay for field trips so students don’t miss us because of money. Most of us have kids too. We care.
*Our jobs don’t end when the school day does. We must write lesson plans, grade papers, prepare activities, and gather materials on our own time. We often sacrifice time with our own kids for yours.
*A kind word goes a long way. A smile from a parent or simple thank you on a note reminds us that we are valued.
*Most children generally act better at school than they do at home. If they are disrespecting authority at school, we find it hard to believe that they don’t act that way at home.
*Before you come after us for something your child told you, pause for a moment. At least come with an open mind that your child may not be telling you the whole story. We don’t begrudge anyone advocating for their child, but we do have a problem when the truth is twisted.
*Consequently when you speak disrespectfully about us at home, your child thinks it’s okay to do so at school. It’s not. We truly want to work with you, not teach your child around you.
*Most of our schools operate on Positive Behavior Systems. Most of our classrooms do as well. We’d be happy to work with you on similar incentives at home. We don’t stop caring about your child’s needs when the dismissal bell rings.
*We are here to make a difference in the life of your child. We aren’t here for summers off. We aren’t here just for a paycheck. We are here because we want your child to learn and be the best possible version of themselves they can be.
Isn’t that what you want as well?
John C. Maxwell popularized the phrase Teamwork Makes the Dream Work. Let’s work together to help your child achieve all of their dreams.
Signed,
Someone Who Loves Your Kid
Jeanni Ritchie has a Masters in Elementary Education and taught for 20 years in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Washington, and Mississippi. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
