2/15/12, Facebook in review:
Morning -- posts on APS and news station pages from parents bitching about how APS didn't cancel school. (God forbid they choose to educate our children during bad weather!)
Afternoon -- parents bitching about NCLB waiver and how APS isn't doing their job in educating our children.
I always feel drawn to read these comments even though I know I'll just get upset and regret it.
My bias -- PARENTS!
MY children are successful in school. MY son graduated 4th in his class and is now in college. MY son received numerous academic awards in chemistry, physics, government, and was just barely beat out for the calculus award. MY daughter in the 6th grade took a placement test that put her in the top 10 in the entire school (the same test was given to all students, 6th-8th grade). MY daughter just started high school and is on the Honors/AP track. MY kids were read to regularly and didn't watch a lot of television. MY kids spend their summers in libraries, museums, watching educational programs, taking classes, and doing math and reading activities. MY kids participate in extracurricular activities that promote positive development. MY kids show up for school on time, fed, with homework completed, and cell phones turned off. MY kids see me involved in activities at their schools. MY kids are asked about what they learned in school that day. And, guess what, MY kids did this while on the Free/Reduced Lunch Program.
So what's the problem? Not ME! Well then, it must be YOU!
I know that my tendency when a child is not doing well in school is to blame the parent. I question why the parent isn't doing their job. I see my role as a parent to be their primary teacher. I have told my kids that I have always been and will always be their primary teacher, that school teachers are simply contractors that work for me. This is absolutely how I see MY job as a parent and I expect all parents to think similarly.
I know it's much more complicated than that. I know this on an intellectual level. But my gut reaction says something very different.
During my first classroom observation interview, I talked with the teacher about parents. She shared with me some of the struggles she sees her parents facing that interfere with their involvment in their child's education. It did make me think and we ended that topic with me telling her that this was an area I need to work on. I don't really know yet what this will mean for me once I am in a classroom but awareness is always the first step.
Biased, eh! I am inclined to share that opinion and often look at outcomes based on parental involvement. My kids did well, they grew up in a wealth of culture, sports, literature and discussion. I believe in the idea of fostering learning from the home. They learned how to fish at home, and as such, school was another trout stream to cast their hooks. My biggest bias here is the notion that some parents have embedded in them; the school is the place to learn. I also have a bias toward educators who feel that their ideas and methods are better and right. I suppose I am biased against those with bias.
ReplyDeleteI thought that was the point of facebook to just whine about things to everyone. I agree that sometimes parents are the problem. I think maybe instead of them complaining about everything that we need an outlet to encourage parents to be an active part of their children's education. I joined the PTA this year for the first time, I am amazed at how much these 10 ladies acomplish. But it's just them, out of 400 kids, 10 moms step up. It's hard, but with more involvement the PTA could get things done so much more efficiently. It's something we are struggling with and we are trying to get others involved in the school.
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