Sometimes I wonder how much of a pest I am.
Why ask myself this question, you say?
Well, it is because I just got off the phone with one parent and plan to call another.
Why?
Because their students consistently refuse to follow school and classroom policies.
I’ve been fortunate in that parents are usually very supportive. However, I’ve heard, more than once, that, “You’re the only teacher I ever speak with.”
Every time someone tells me this, I pause and wonder what kind of pest I’m being.
I’ve got to admit that I am a bit surprised as well…especially when, during conferences, teachers are all in agreement about certain behaviors that I have already spoken to the parents about.
Why aren’t more teachers picking up the phone and calling home?
Do elementary and middle school teachers call home more often than high school teachers?
At a time when our children need even more accountability, parents aren’t being updated regularly on their children’s behavior…behavior that oftentimes negatively affects their children’s success, not to mention the success of every other child in the class.
I really do feel like I’m annoying parents by calling…especially when it’s the same parents EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
Am I tough?
Yes.
Am I fair?
I try very hard to be.
Am I consistent?
Most of the time.
How do I know this?
Because 98% of my students follow protocol, and I’m not having to call their parents.
Grrr.
I constantly question myself…every reaction I have to students’ behavior…every phone call home I make.
I hope that when all is said and done, my students will understand that I was a pest because I cared so much.
Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: teaching | 2 Comments »
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