The Year of Parents.

As of this coming Monday, I will have 22 students. And this is not due to moving for once. According to one parent, it is because I am quote, too timid, unquote. When the principal told me that I was losing a student due to my "timidity," I almost bursted out with an "are you kidding me?!" laugh. Thankfully, common sense and professionalism killed that desire on the spot.

On Friday, Mrs. F came into the computer lab as I was setting up my students and told me LS was going to be going to Ms. R's room on Monday. This was the first time I heard of this, so naturally I was confused. She explained that she met with the parent that morning, and the parent had concerns that I was too timid to tell her "like it is." She apparently didn't think looking and perusing through LS's work (clear and straightforward evidence) at conference day was bold enough.

Well, to tell this parent "like it is" would be to say, "You need to motivate your child at home because I am here to teach not to stand over her shoulder to make sure she does her work."

The principal went on to explain that I need to not be bullied by parents which I appreciated her acknowledging that. While I didn't directly feel bullied this time, I did feel overwhelmed by this parent's constant "concerns" (refer to Parent #3) over and over about her daughter. Yes, I would have concerns about my daughter, too, if she were struggling to adjust to second grade. But when it's a home problem, the teacher can't enter that arena. It's not her place.

To sum it up all nice and tidy, Mrs. F then said she told the parent that if she wanted a firmer hand, then she was going to get it. And this will be the first and last time to honor her request. With Ms. R as LS's teacher, she will get firmer all right. I hope overall this will be an enlightening experience for LS and the mother. I mean no illwill towards the two. The mom is nice and concerned, but she needs to realize that she has a major part in her daughter's education. It's not just up to the teacher to perform "miracles." And screaming at her daughter hasn't really been working obviously, so she needs to find another way.

I certainly appreciated Mrs. F sticking up for me, too. She said, "My teachers aren't mean and won't scream at the children. That is something you work with at home. You have a responsibility to motivate your child to do their work; my teachers are here to teach, not babysit."

So, yay, point for the principal!

I won't lie and say I'm not thrilled that I have one less (needy) student. Now I have an even number and that sooo works better for group activities. Unfortunately, the numbers fare lesser for my girls though. 5 girls. 17 boys.

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On a related note about parents, my dad's wife (CJ) has been really concerned over my brother's (CE) kindergarten progress and the parent-teacher relationship. First off, CE's teacher seems like an inconsiderate space cadet.

As a teacher, if you don't put down any grades on a progress report and solely put "Conference Needed" on the comments line, that insinuates that the student is not doing well. That's what this teacher did. It worked CJ into an emotional frenzy and thought it was due to her outspoken concern about the teacher losing CE's homework folder. I reassured her she wasn't turning into one of my Psycho Parents; she had every right to express concern over the teacher's lack of communication. There are other tidbits that aren't really necessary to this story, but it bubbled up all the same.

They had the conference and CE is doing fine, but needs some extra assistance with typical kindergarten stuff (which all kids need). The real thing they (unfortunately) got out of the conference was confirmation moreso that the teacher is a space cadet times two by leaving Dad and CJ waiting for 45 minutes OUTSIDE. She forgot them.

Dad has a temper, too, so whoa, I wouldn't want to be the teacher of those parents. And from all the other stories of this teacher, I wouldn't want my child in her classroom. (Side note-- I fear I will one day be one of those picky moms because I already know toooooo much about the education world and what happens. :P However, I know I will never reach the ranks of Psycho Parent. Thank Heavens! Whew.)

It's just really interesting to be an observer to both sides of the educational world. Parent-to-teacher and teacher-to-parent. At least I'll know how I would like to be when I become a parent someday.

All right, enough musings for now, but I will leave you with two adorable stories that made my heart all fuzzy.
1. Mr. R sent me flowers to school the other week, and all the kids were excited about it when I explained to them what a fiance was. After, M shouted out that he had a fiance, too. Then Z replied, "A chicken strip is my fiance!" I don't think they understood what a fiance was. :P

2. D's Army dad was coming home. She lives with her grandma and doesn't know her mom, so she was sooo excited all week and kept telling me about his coming home. She saw him last at the beginning of the year. Well, he came to school on Thursday to see her, and she was so happy to see her daddy. It warmed all my little heartstrings. :)

-- Miss Chelsea :)