Guest Comment: Open letter to parents with schoolchildren

As we get into the month of August and the ubiquitous Back-to-School ads bombard us, many of you are making plans for your child’s next academic year.

Of course you want the very best education for your son or daughter, which includes not only book learning but the finest teachers available, who will bring out the best in students. And where do we find the latter? An expensive private school? A move to a new school district or even a new community?

I know an easy way to avoid any of these major changes, and it won’t cost you a dime: Show some appreciation to your child’s teacher.

There’s an old saying amongst us teachers: no news is good news. By that, we mean that a parent will practically never take the time to show appreciation for the many things that teachers do above and beyond the core curriculum to make things special.

But if there is the slightest misunderstanding, they are quick to complain, and not just to the teacher. Perhaps enjoying the power trip that their position as consumer carries, they rush to the principal, who is clueless about the situation and is caught in the middle of a “he said she said” scenario.

Maybe the problem is that the educator’s role has changed. As one colleague put it, the former profession of “teacher” has been replaced by a new job title: customer service representative” where we are expected to be of service at all time to two customers, parent and child. And as we know, the customer is always right.

Thus, the tiniest infraction on the teacher’s part (actual, perceived or totally fabricated by the student) could be followed by: a nasty letter to the teacher, equally nasty phone call laced with profanity and threats, unannounced visit to bawl out the teacher while class is in session, or the above mentioned power trip, the call to the principal complaining.

The result is that many good teachers today are leaving the profession, not from burnout, but from “rageout.” I am one of those teachers.

Among a few of the indignities I have experienced recently are hearing that the mother of one of my students, who was failing my class as well as several others, had called the counselor threatening to beat me up. When reminded by the counselor that this constitutes a threat and she could be prosecuted, she backed down entirely and said she was just kidding.

Incidents such as the above do nothing to enhance teaching. In fact, the energy and enthusiasm with which we start the school year are quickly replaced by cynicism and a quick phone call to Human Resources to find out when we are eligible for early retirement.

So, parents, what can you do to make sure your son or daughter has a successful school year 2008-2009?

1. Become a partner with the teacher and student in your child’s education. Instill a love of learning and a respectful attitude towards the teacher. Provide a safe, peaceful environment for students to do homework. Help with reading, take an interest in projects and papers and check to see that all assignments are completed before TV, video games and hanging out with friends begin.

2. Be quick to appreciate the good that is done and the extras so many teachers do to make the year memorable for the students. The rare compliments that teachers receive inspire us to do even a better job.

3. Encourage your child to discuss any problem with his/her teacher. If it remains unresolved, a friendly call on your part to the teacher asking for clarification might be in order.

Good teachers are everywhere, and a little appreciation can bring out the best in them all.

Barbara Elaine is a former educator in Tucson. She welcomes comments at Babette2@comcast.net The views expressed are the writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of this newspaper.