Search results matching tags 'communication' and 'teaching'

What does it mean to care about a student?

Anonymous — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:33:25 GMT

A student left me the following comment on our class website: Mr. Isero, you know that I cannot go online because I do not have [the webcam] but obviously you do not care due to you have not given it to me yet. The details of the story don’t matter. What matters is that a [...]

How to talk to teachers / How to talk to students

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 06:42:56 GMT

I have four students not passing my AP English class right now. It’s not too bad, actually: They will all pass at the semester (unless they miss a major assignment). I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about why they’re not passing. Yes, their reading and writing skills need improvement. Yes, they sometimes miss assignments [...]

How to talk to teachers / How to talk to students

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 06:42:56 GMT

Not in class? You’d better text me.

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:48:56 GMT

Maybe my students think I’m crazy. “No, really,” I say. “If you’re ever not in class, you have to tell me. You have to text me.” For some students, this seems like a reasonable request. Mr. Isero expects me to be in class, so if I’m absent or late, I should let him know why. [...]

Not in class? You’d better text me.

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:48:56 GMT

Tackling the problem of information transfer in schools

Anonymous — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 03:11:42 GMT

A student e-mailed me this morning. “I don’t know when school starts,” she wrote. There’s some good news here: This student cares, understands that I’m a resource, and takes initiative to answer her question. But there’s so much more bad news: She didn’t receive the school mailing. Her home number has changed or doesn’t exist. [...]

Tackling the problem of information transfer in schools

Anonymous — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 03:11:42 GMT

Why don’t I call parents more often?

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 06:01:50 GMT

Every August, I have the same goal: This year, I’m going to call more parents. The benefits are huge, right? Calling home means showing that I care, which builds relationships and contributes to student success. I get it. And calling home is much more effective than [...]

Why don’t I call parents more often?

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 06:01:50 GMT

Why don't these parents care about their kids' education?

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 03:19:00 GMT

Ms. Dorothy,
Is it fair to expect parents to show up on time for meetings? I'm trying to offer some after-school support to students who really need it, and I'm trying to get the parents on board with my plans. Is it unreasonable that I expect these parents to be at the meeting I scheduled for them? Am I crazy?
-Frustrated teacher

This is obviously a rhetorical question. Of course you aren't crazy.

However, sometimes the children with the greatest struggles in school are those with the greatest challenges at home.

While expecting parents to come to a meeting is not unreasonable, being shocked that they are not timely, forget, or refuse to participate might be.

For some parents, school is where they expect all the educational issues to be "handled." They are not interested, or even willing, to be a partner in their child's education. This may not be the best thing for the child, and it may go against everything you, as someone who values education above all else, believe in, but it is the case for many parents.

Having children, and parenting children are not always the same thing.

It is frustrating to have other people's values and priorities get in the way of what you believe is best for the children in your care. Unfortunately, as educators, we need to continue to do our level best with or without the support of those who entrust their children to our care.

It is cruel and unfair that you care more about these students' success than their own parents do, and it is very understandable that you are frustrated.

So breathe deeply, center yourself, and then go give those children the best you have to offer. It may be unsupported from home, but it is needed and appreciated by those kids - if not now, then it will be.

They are lucky to have you!