What would teachers like for Christmas?

I read a post on a social networking site this morning from someone in education who asked, "Education friends, what would you like for Christmas?"

Those in education sometimes get some unusual gifts from students.  As far as I know, the person posing the question hadn't received any red thong panties from her students, nor has anyone gifted her with a home-baked pork chop.  

I can't say I've received anything that truly made me go "hmmm". 

I enjoyed the responses from participants of the unofficial poll, which ranged from items banned from school property like "alcohol," to the immeasurably intangible such as, "another snow day," to the practical, as in, "school supplies.

Here's an idea.

Dear Parents, Guardians, Loved Ones, 

Thank you for the gift of your child, who spends the bulk of their day with us.  It is a leap of faith on your part to entrust your child to our care in the hopes that your child will learn and grow and become a productive member of society.

Budgets are tight, and I'm sure your gift list is long this year.  I understand you may want to "do" something for teacher this year, and I thank you for that.  Truly, I appreciate the thoughtfulness.  If it gives you any relief to be "off the hook" for yet another gift, be relieved - no spending need be involved.

There are a few things on the wish list, though, and I put them out there for your consideration.

Please consider, throughout the year:

1)The pressure that is on educators to educate every single child to his/her fullest potential.  This is a tall order.  Not only do individual schools set standards, districts set standards - and your state government and federal government also set standards.  It's a lot to live up to, it's a lot to execute on a daily basis. Teachers and classroom aides do their best to work together to meet and exceed these expectations.  

2) You are the first teacher your child will ever have.  Please, can we be partners in the education of your child?  Trust that I may see a side of your child (for better or worse) in the classroom that you may not see at home.  I will trust the same, for you.  I know you have a job and other children to care for, other responsibilities. I know, because I have those same responsibilities, too. Please, if the flashcards come home with spelling words or math facts on them, it's important, and your child needs you to help him/her review that information.  

If your child comes home with homework, please encourage your child to complete it to the best of his/her ability.  I'm certain that you know long division, and that you have excellent scrap-booking skills - but the homework (and the grade) is a reflection of your child's learning, not yours.  

Let your child do the homework.  I understand that extra-curricular activities are also a part of a student's learning too, but please don't allow sports or dance or video games to take precedence over your child's academics.  

I'll do my part by not pretending your child has nothing better to do than complete 8 hours of long-division and read ten chapters of the class novel.  

3) I promise not to believe everything your child tells me about his home life, if you promise not to believe everything your child tells you about his school life.  If you ever have any questions or concerns, call me. Email me. Text me. Come see me and we'll talk face-to-face.  Really.  Come to a conference now and then.

4) School supplies.  Every kid needs them, not every classroom has a ready supply of community and/or individual supplies.  If you're having difficulty getting your child what he/she needs, you can let me know.  I'll do what I can to see to it your child has what is needed.  

5) Yes, your child could have done/said that.  Believe me, if I'm standing right there and witness it being said, or being done, and it came out of your child's mouth, it definitely happened.  And if it warrants contact with you, it's something that needs to be addressed.  All of us have different ideas about what is acceptable behavior. At school, the rules may seem very strict and sometimes even silly.  Whatever my personal feelings may be, I have to support those rules for the safety and well-being of the other children in the class, as well as for your child. Sometimes, whatever happened is not always someone else's fault.
  
6) I'm not in this for the money.  I know, I know.  Summers off, holidays off.  We hear it all the time.  I really don't get rich off this job.  Many teachers spend their own income on school supplies for the classroom as well as for individual students who are in need.  They purchase books for the classroom library.  They purchase educational materials to enhance the curriculum that is in place.  They purchase and provide items in the classroom to make it a welcoming place for your child (stuffed animals? comfortable places to sit during reading time? posters? rugs? the list is long).  

Like many of you, teachers also have student loans, typical household expenses, and this thing called "continuing education" which requires college classes every so many years in order for us to keep our state certificates current so we can remain employed in the field of education.  Oh, and we also pay for those state certificates, just as many of you pay for the licensing for your employment.  

So no, I'm not in it for the money.  Many of us have had our pay frozen (not even a "cost of living" increase) while our expenses have increased, just like other people's have.  

Some of us really are in this for the kids - to help them learn, to encourage their growth in so many ways, to support them where they need it, when they need it.

7) I do my best to educate your child.  No, really, I do.  Yes, there are days when I wish I'd gone to be a Walmart greeter.  But there are more days where I see the light bulb go on in a child's eyes and know they've grasped a concept that was hard for them.  There are more days when a child takes a few positive steps forward than many steps back.  

Yes, I understand your experience with education wasn't always the best, and maybe that's true for your child, too.  I'm sorry you experienced the lazy and unconcerned educators.  

On the flip side, and yes, I'm going to say it, I've experienced the lazy and unconcerned parents.  This is where the partnership comes in.  We can support each other at home and at school by being strong adults and good role models for the kids entrusted to our care either by biology, law, or the strictures of a school day.  

Do your best to be a parent to your child.  I'll do my best to support that on a daily basis in school - along with the education part.  It may not always make me popular with you or with your child, but it's part of the territory. 

8) Please be on time.  I'm required to be on the job at a certain time every day.  The start of the school day is not a "suggested" time for me, nor is it a "suggested time" for your child.  I understand that there will be days (my mother always said so, and it's true) . . .the dog gets out, the alarm doesn't go off, the power goes out, somebody is sick - but please make an effort to help your child start the school day on time.  

It sends a message that school is important, and that your child's presence and participation are also important.


So many of these things go hand-in-hand.  However, if you're in that holiday spirit, you might consider trying just one of the above items.  See how it goes.  Even if we don't see eye-to-eye on everything, it doesn't mean that we can't have a successful partnership in the education of your child. 

Happy holidays.

Sincerely,
A Former Teacher