The Tapestry with Dr Deb Herodes - Teachers-The Touchstones of Life

Be thankful, not critical

As Taylor Swift backpacks fly off the shelves, and new sneakers are purchased for the work of their play, moms and dads tuck in their children for their last nights of summer vacation.  There is a certain sadness for parents, as they watch their children fall off to sleep, because the summer went so quickly and so much of what they wanted to do with their children went undone.  Some of these sleeping heads are excited about the opening of school, because they get to see their friends; it had been a long summer without them. But some, are just as depressed as their parents about the beginning of homework, schedules and responsible bedtimes. While both emotions are real, the truth is that an education is important and henceforth, it represents one of the best things you can do for your children.  Encourage them about a brand-new year.  

If you remember back to your days in school, they are probably a wonderful memory in your life. Yes, there were bullies. Yes, there were tests you didn’t do well on. Yes, the homework was grueling, but the benefits far outweighed the negatives.  Learning social responsibility is imperative in education.  Children are a huge part of society and must learn how to get along with other children, must understand that rules must be followed and must understand that education opens many doors to their futures.

It might surprise you to know that most of the problems that teachers deal with, concerning their students, are their parents; those who care and those who don’t.  Often, caring parents insert themselves into the daily routines of their children and to be perfectly honest, the teachers can truly deal with these daily demands.  Allowing a teacher to do his/her job is important; I cannot imagine another livelihood that is more under the microscope.  Of course, if there is an issue, speak up, but do it kindly, because your child’s teacher, no doubt, has the child’s mental, physical and educational needs firmly implanted in their hearts and minds.  Remember, teachers are not the enemies; they are the people you rely on to keep your children safe, happy and educated.  It is always best to inquire before accusing and it is always best to believe the teacher (believe it or not, children can misrepresent the truth.)

While many summer days saw teachers attending workshops and readying their curriculums and classrooms for a new year, there are those who scoff about the summer break teachers enjoy.  My only wisdom on that “scoff” is to let non-teachers know, it’s necessary, in order to tie up loose ends from the year, begin to prepare for the new year and continue to educate oneself for the sake of your children.

Many teachers become the one reason a child wants to go to school; special connections are formed, a certain safety zone has been developed, and as long as the child must be away from home, there is at least one adult or in many cases many adults, who he/she can share the day and his/her life with.  Many others need the everyday pat on the back from these touchstones of life known as teachers.  Their smiles, their special notes on corrected papers, their attendance at student events and their approachability are all crucial parts of a good educator. Pair this with a supreme knowledge of their subject matter and devotion to THE WORK, (and there is much of it,) ensures a wonderful learning environment for your kindergartener, your middle schooler and your high schooler.

We are incredibly blessed in our little corner of the world, because our faculties of educators are some of the best.  I know this personally! I was proud to serve as an educator for three plus decades and I, for one, applaud those who take their jobs, as educators, seriously.  The little sleepy-heads or the cranky teenagers that you will yank from their comfy beds very soon, will be well taken care of in the hands of our teachers. Be thankful and breathe a sigh of relief knowing that your most precious Earthlings are well-loved in their school districts.