From the Teacher's Desk

With schools around the country starting back up, I thought I'd lend you my teacher perspective. Without further ado...

1. Just stick with the supplies on the list. (He or she made a list for a reason.)

2. Feel free to ask (anytime or all the time) if there are things you can send in to help in the classroom. Often supplies like hand sanitizer, wax paper, new crayons, glue sticks, Kleenex are NOT provided for teachers by schools (gasp!) and a lot of times teachers end up replacing them out of pocket. (States do not under any circumstances pay teachers enough for this!)

3. Don't call during the day. Chances are it's not a good time. Think this one through-- if I'm on the phone with you about so-and-so and such-and-such, who do you think is watching/teaching your kid?! Think before you call.

4. Give your child the benefit of a home routine. They should be in bed at a decent hour, they should have breakfast before coming to school-- and have them pack their book bag each night, so homework and other important things aren't "forgotten" in the morning.

5. Let your child be responsible for their own things. If they leave homework or something important at school, even though it might break your heart to not turn around and get it, it will help them so much in the long run to learn this lesson early! (Unbeknownest to your child, call and let the teacher know that you know that it got left, but you're working on a lesson in responsibility-- the teacher will understand!)

6. Know what's going on in your child's school day. They would probably love to tell you, have you ever asked?

7. Keep in mind that family secrets have a way of coming out at school-- one time I had a seven year old student saying words that would need symbols for me to convey... the mom's response? I have no idea where he would have heard that! Hmmm, you keep telling yourself that, lady!

8. Think about what your child is wearing before they go to school. In most elementary classes, students will sit on the floor during some part of the day-- skirts aren't very easy to sit in properly on the floor. Most schools have PE or outside play time each day-- do you really want your daughter hanging upside down on the monkey bars in her Sunday best? Yea, she will do it.

9. The teacher is just as worried about what you think of her as you are about her opinion of you! Realize she is human. Yes, she has a degree in education, but she probably watches Dancing with the Stars too, be human with her!

10. Give the teacher a break. One of the most heartbreaking trends I've seen in education lately is the way parents will jump all over a teacher because "My child said..." This poor teacher is under-paid to handle a group of twenty (or more) kids. She ends up taking work home because there's not enough time in the day, she scarfs down lunch in fifteen minutes and tries to make her students eat the veggies the cafeteria has served. She is constantly watching your student (and nineteen others) to see how they learn and what they're having trouble with. She often does janitorial duty when a kid barfs in her room, and band-aids more boo boos than you could imagine. She has to keep clear, concise records of every kid in every subject along with portfolios, a grade book, and probably turns lesson plans in to her superior regularly. She is the disciplinarian of the class, trying to elicit good behavior long enough to teach the kids something new. While teaching she has to keep in mind that Jane has a learning disability and Suzie is labeled "Academically and Intellectually Gifted" and must have an extra challenge. She tries to see everything happening around her at every moment, but it's just not possible. Please give her the benefit of the doubt. She is not picking on your child if he comes home in trouble. Are you really going to take the side of a seven year old (who has told you a few lies in his day) over a respectable, hard-working, qualified professional?