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I had a fascinating conversation last night with two teachers who were mad because I gave props to my son for handing in a blank assignment. It was strange because knowing nothing about the kid they assumed...
He wasn't being held to high standards, that he wasn't stressed out, his learning needs and style were being met (even after repeatedly saying this wasn't working), suggested a home visit, that I was *just* a parent & my thoughts weren't guided by my own professional practice/exp
Which was kinda weird given they knew nothing about me or my kid.
Their anger was centred around their stress. But you have *no* idea of what is going on at home and with a kids mental health and to assume anything right now in a pandemic is reckless at best.
Their anger was centred around their stress. But you have *no* idea of what is going on at home and with a kids mental health and to assume anything right now in a pandemic is reckless at best.
I've been lucky as a parent to have mostly respectful relationships with my kids teachers. Some are even mutuals. But at work, I've seen so many educators who have been pretty shitty and it's no wonder so many parents have a mistrust of schools.
It's funny, I mentioned this thread to a bunch of CYCs and what my kid did, they first laughed and commented on his skills, acknowledged how brutal learning is for some students right now and then asked the most important question. WHY.
I mentioned it to my educator friends, they raised some thought provoking questions more based on practice, but again, all centered around the question. WHY.
If a kid isn't doing their work, there is a reason why. (Like a pandemic???) They're not being disrespectful or trying to piss you off or make your life harder. Even if you do everything in your power you still may come up short. That's okay.
What's not okay is transferring that onto the kid and family. Education is failing so many in the best of times and even more right now, systemically, on the individual level and it's our job as educators to understand why and make it better.
Most of the fellow educators who are mutuals do above and beyond and ask WHY and for that I thank you. The rest of y'all...feel free to unfollow or get mad in the mentions because I'm not here to centre the egos of adults vs. kids.
