In many places around the country, school is already in full swing. Here in California, at least where we live, we are still part of the “school starts after Labor Day” crowd. So, though we’ve still got 21 days of summer left, this is what was going on in my house this morning:
We’ve got the backpacks packed and the first-day-of-school outfits picked (is it weird that my son and daughter want to be matching the first day??). All these preparations have got me thinking about how strange it still is to be on the parent-side of things. If you’ve read the story behind Throne of Grace (you can find that here), then you know that I used to be an elementary school teacher. Year after year I anticipated the start to a new school year and worked to establish good relationships with new families. The majority of those relationships were fabulous from the start, some required a little amount of massaging, and then there were those that I felt I was never able to win over! Now I’m on the other side of the fence and I pray each year that I can be the blessing to my children’s teachers that so many wonderful parents were to me.
If you are preparing to entrust your children or grandchildren into the hands of a new set of teachers this year, take a few minutes to make a make a plan. Whether attending public school, private school, or homeschool, you and your child will have interactions with other adults who will be a part of the process of training and guiding. It may be a classroom teacher – or it could be a Sunday school teacher, music teacher, or coach. Here’s Molly’s list of
As usual, Molly, this is terrific advise for parents. As a teacher, I so appreciate the emphasis on staying off the “complain train.” So much damage is done through gossip, and it always gets back to the teacher! I would remind parents to be careful what they say about their child’s teacher in front of the child, because your child WILL repeat it in class!!! Always show respect for the authority of the teacher, even if you disagree with him/her. And if a problem arises, be prepared to give the benefit of the doubt and to show GRACE. Always take complaints directly to the teacher first, rather than the principal. Then. if you don’t get a satisfactory response, seek help from the principal.
You have gotten me excited about returning to find out who my new kiddos are this year!