As a teacher, it’s always interesting to be a spectator at my children’s Back to School nights. (much more relaxing than being up front too!) It’s odd how our opinions sometimes differ on the teachers; I realize that my children spend a lot more time with them than the seven minutes I do, so I concede that. Our older daughter and I usually have exactly the same impression, but I am more understanding of annoying mannerisms, speech patterns, etc… probably because I have them myself! Alison’s Honors English teacher is VERY young; I didn’t tell her this, but I don’t think she’s making the students read and write enough. (a journal is great, but let’s do some literary analysis, please) My child is very crappy at it and needs to be able to pass the dreaded WASL next year. I was impressed by the Life Issues teacher, whereas Alison is annoyed by her and the fact that she has a huge gap in her front teeth. My little Alison is not spatial, but is doing fine in Geometry so far according to her teacher, with whom I used to do aerobics. My children think I know EVERYONE in the whole district, and I’m beginning to believe they may have a point;I wonder, do they feel the pressure of being a teacher’s KID?
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6 responses to “School Daze”
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I think that being in education, I was always a bit more critical of the teachers that my kids had, than other parents were. My kids hated it when I pointed out to them WHY a teacher did something, they said, “How come you always take HER side?” I teased them and told them that I always liked the teacher better than them!
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They may feel pressure at times, but it pales in comparison to your insight into their schooling ~ that they will some day greatly appreciate!
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My mom was a fourth grade teacher in our county for the first 14 years of my school career and then a principal for the last four, and about a million years after that. I only went to the school she taught at briefly in fifth grade. I never really felt any pressure though. She stayed out of my scholastic life pretty much, but always backed the teachers whenever there was a problem. (Which wasn’t often, come to think of it.)
I tried pretty hard to be a model student, whether out of fear of my father or respect for my mother, I can’t remember. But some of my fondest memories as a child were going to school with my mom right before the school year started, helping her with getting the room ready. There was always so much glue, paper and other pretties to experiment with. And I’d always end up with presents from the other teachers. I haven’t thought about that in years!
Now my mom is retired, but still works half days as an assistant administrator at the school Sydney will attend next year. (Although it’s not the school she is districted to attend.) She wants to stay until Sydney enters first grade so she can pick her teachers those first two years. I think she will be much more hands on with Sydney then she was with me. -
I would think they may be a little annoyed as they grow up but will really appreciate it when they are older. I think it’s tough being a kid no matter what your parents do with regards to their careers. 🙂
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I wasn’t a teacher’s kid, but I have been the kid of youth leaders; that was annoying. I HAD to be the role model (though it wasn’t very hard,) and on campouts, it seemed that no matter how far my tent mates and I tried to get away, OUR tent became grand central station. That bugged me.
And, because my brother and I were D.K’s, we weren’t eligible for good citizen awards, or attendance awards, or stuff like that because “It wouldn’t be fair.”
I was SO glad when my parents stepped aside, but then I was off to high school anyway….
I do know that I am not planning on being a director while my son is involved with such activities. That doesn’t mean I’ll be out of the picture; it just means I’ll be behind the scenes. -
My kids were “teacher’s kids”, too. They thought I knew everybody, and I did know a lot of people, or could find out a lot about anyone if I wanted. It was nice bringing them to school with me when they were small, and all through HS I had friends who were in the same school with them so I could get “the inside scoop” on teachers, kids, and school things.
I was the child of a school superintendent. I never thought the teachers even knew who I was until I got older and started teaching. I didn’t do much, but when I did, I never got caught, although my friends did. Duh!
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