This school year was a struggle. It almost feels the more I grow as an educator, the more kickback I receive from parents. No matter what I did this past year, it felt like I could not make parents happy. Parents want their child to be challenged, but will resent you for “giving” their child a “C.” When you explain to a parent what you are observing about a student’s performance, and back it up with data, they claim you have painted an unrealistic picture of their child. And the trials go on, and on, and on. (Now, I need to take a moment to state that not all my interactions with parents were bad. I had some parents who went out of their way to help and support my teaching efforts, and for them I am grateful.) The constant firing from parents made me question, can I really stay in this profession? I LOVE my job! I LOVE my students, school, and team! However, when you are constantly facing the parent “firing squad” it becomes a “joy sucker.”
This week at NCCAT, and being part of a Kenan Fellowship, has reignited my fire for the classroom. With everything I am learning through my externship, the relationships I made this weekend, and the new tips and tricks I have to try in my classroom, I am looking forward to the fall. I am going to keep pushing forward, because I have another 120 darling faces awaiting me in the fall. They deserve a restored and renewed teacher, and this NCCAT week has helped me get there.
The Viking Princesses and our fearless guide, Zack
“On particularly rough days when I’m sure I can’t possibly endure, I like to remind myself that my track record for getting through bad days so far is 100% and that’s pretty good.” ~ Unknown
I would love to hear your story. How have you gotten through years when you were faced with difficult parents? What keeps you motivated to come back each year?
I understand your frustrations with parents. Some parents will never be convinced that I am on their team and want similar things for their child. This year, I had a parent try to convince me (and, more importantly, herself) that her 11th grade son plagiarized a paper in an AP course because he didn’t know the difference.
I’m very grateful for supportive parents and that I never have to go through my first year of teaching again. I’ve learned to frontload expectations so that parents and children know what they are. Rubrics, policies, and consistency seem to make all the difference with parents who resent Cs!
I’m glad you were honest in your post…and that Kenan has reignited your fire!