Call me old-fashioned, but I just don't understand parents that don't work with the teachers. There are two, 2-hour parent/teacher opportunites each marking period, and I didn't miss one last year. I was absolutley appalled at being only the second parent to sign in with my daughter's teacher, with only 30 minutes left before the PTA meeting which follows each one.
AMEN AMEN AMEN. I can't imagine not working with parents as a teacher. I am fortunate to have a good relationship with my students' parents, though I certainly wish some of them would respond or contact me more. Sometimes the parents become more or less friends. I believe in "first grade solutions," that most problems can be solved in five minutes or less after a little conversation. Oftentimes, I find that to be the case. If a parent requests his/her child be moved to a different seating spot, I do it.
I guess I am old fashioned too. It seems like a lot of people want to blame the other guy nowadays, but doesn't want to make a sincere effort to solve the problem or take responsiblity.
I don't think the solution to education problems is to dramatically increase taxes or to gut the system. I think working together and being on the same page would go a lot longer way without spending a dime, only a little time.
Exactly.
Do I want the schools to be held accountable? of course I do. But I also believe parents should be held accountable as well.
Education does not end when the bell rings at 3pm, it continues at home. It seems far too many people have forgotten that concept.
Sometimes the parents become more or less friends.
I had to laugh at this comment. We are in the awkward position of actually being social friends with the husband of our daughter's teacher. We drink beer and play NTN Trivia with him a couple times a month, and of course are on first name basis. But any contact with his wife, which is always in her position as teacher, it's all Mr. & Mrs. all the way around. As this is a very small (population) county, it is just a matter of time before we run into them as a couple in a social situation. I already run into her occassionally out shopping.