Hello...this is Maxine...are you there?

 The class looked so intent; as if they were actually connecting with whatever I was attempting to teach them. Then I noticed that they were trying not to look to my right. I was moving around the room like a good teacher should when I noticed Maxine Smart. Maxine is one of my special students who often seems like she is in her very own orbit, around her very own star. She had a plastic bag on her head and a shoe in her ear. “Hello…hello…is anyone there? Can you hear me?” Maxine spoke softly into her shoe phone. I looked around to see if anyone was answering the call. No one seemed to be on the other end. I told her to hang up the shoe and get back on task. Maxine tried one more number but, no one seemed to respond. She hung up the shoe, took the plastic bag off her head, put her shoe phone away and slowly got back on task.

Learning happens…

*All names are fictional to protect…someone…maybe me…

On The Parent Side of the Conference

The most difficult part of being on the parent side of the parent – teacher conference for me is the uncontrollable need to be nice. After “conferencing” with my daughters’ teacher I am left knowing that my daughter will receive little more help than she is already receiving.

I believe the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher is that a great teacher observes, questions, and probes until they are sure that the student truly understands.

I asked my daughters teacher to occasionally check to see if my daughter really understands the concept being taught by maybe asking her. She told me that a lot of the students struggle with the concept and she suggests that they seek help from other students and adults. The sad part is I don’t think she was trying to brush me off, she actually thought she was being clever and helpful.

My wife and I am our children’s first teacher, and you are yours.  

Needs Adult Help

The other day I received a note from my daughters’ fifth grade math teacher. In the margin of test paper was written, “Needs adult help.” My first thought was to write back, “Aren’t you an adult?”

As a veteran educator (20 plus years) in a large urban school district I have a basic philosophy: To the best of my abilities, treat and teach each student how I would want my own four children to be treated and taught. Sort of the golden rule applied to the teaching profession.

Now, does this teacher assume that we do not help our daughter? Does this teacher think we are not aware of our daughters’ struggles? How would she react if the very first communication she received from one of her children’s teacher was, “Needs adult help?” I am looking forward to the parent teacher conference with my daughters’ math teacher.

I will let you know how things go after the parent conference. I would love to hear from other teachers and parents about the many interactions that happen on a daily basis between teachers and parents.