Being a teacher sounds good, right? You get your summers and holidays off.  You work Monday through Friday from 8 am to 3:30 pm. Great hours!  Pay is okay and there are lots of perks for teachers. Yep, I think I'll be a teacher.

Whoa. Not so fast! Being a teacher is so much more than just thinking you'll be a teacher. In fact... What Are You Thinking?!?!

Being a teacher is a passion. It isn't something you think you'll do. It is something you have to do. I would equate being a teacher to having a calling. You teach when there is nothing else in the world that you can imagine yourself doing. You teach not because you get summers off, but because summers are time to rest, recharge, and prepare for next year's kiddos, AND further your own education and attend workshops. You know that the pay is lousy and that doesn't matter. You aren't in it for the money anyway.   Holidays off?  Well, that is true, but.... you are the last minute shopper at Christmas and the one falling asleep during Easter Sunday because every spare minute before and after school is spent planning and presenting lessons, contacting parents, and readying your room. Great work hours? Well, not so much. Don't forget about early morning bus or playground duty (in any kind of weather) and after school meetings or tutoring. And, what about conferences and evaluations that take place after hours. And about your perks.... Parents have you on speed dial and, in some cases, administrators are unlisted and unavailable.  Kids recognize you in any disguise on Saturday in the grocery store. Take my advice, Don't go to the store thinking you won't run in to anyone you know. Trust me on this. You will.  Not only will the kids recognize you, but they drag their parents over to your cart and, yes, they will scrutinize everything in it.

So, to the young girl I met tonight (and anyone else) that is thinking around the edges of becoming a teacher. Don't. Not unless you are prepared to be passionate and dedicated with every breath you breathe.  Not unless there is no other place in the world you'd rather be than in school. Not unless you are tough enough and strong enough to handle it. Teaching isn't for the faint of heart or the weak. Teaching is one demanding profession. It isn't something that you Think you'll do. It is something that you Have to do.


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This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on June 5, 2015. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

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Parenting doesn't end with birth. Once a child is conceived parenting is a lifelong commitment. The old saying, "It takes a village to raise a child" is only true if the child doesn't have dedicated parents. Sure, we all need help sometimes and it sure is nice to take a day off and enjoy some 'me' time, but this popular saying has become an excuse for parents to let someone else raise their child. That someone is usually the school system. It is awfully convenient for a parent to pass judgement on everyone but themselves. I posted a quote on my FB page this week about parents blaming the teacher when they didn't get their child to school. Since when did it become my responsibility to call the parents to wake them up and remind them to bring their child to school?

Here are my top five responsibilities of parenting (I'm sure you can think of many more):

1. Love your children unconditionally. They will make mistakes. You did too.   Teach them to learn from their mistakes, but always love them no matter what. Sacrifice some time to show them how much you love them.  Material possessions have a price. Time is priceless. Childhood only lasts for a short time.  

2. Discipline them. No one thinks a temper tantrum is cute. No one is amused by the behavior of a brat (sorry I couldn't think of a nicer word). No matter how adorable or precious your child is, they need to be lovingly disciplined. They need to learn that there are expectations and boundaries that are meant to be followed. You know what those cute little spoiled brats grow up to be? Annoyingly entitled adults.

3. Meet their physical needs. A hungry child can't come to school to learn. They come to school to be fed. A child that comes to school in shorts on a day when the windchill is below freezing will not be ready to learn. If your child is sick, please don't send them . As an adult, you may have to go to work when you don't feel good, but don't you want to stay home. Some employers are not 'parent-friendly'. They may not appreciate you taking a day off to take care of a sick child. I understand that you need to work. I understand you might not have anyone able to watch them and you might not be able to afford childcare.  But, please develop an emergency plan to deal with this. It may take a sacrifice on your part, but that is part of being a parent.

4.  Don't play the blame game. You overslept and your child is late to school. They missed the math lesson. Don't blame the teacher. Find out how you can help them at home. Find ways to work with your school system and teacher. You will find that we really do love kids and will be willing to help. However, we can't work miracles. And, next time... set your alarm.

5. No matter how much you hate your child's teacher, don't tell them. Your personal opinion of the teacher should never be discussed with your child. Have a private conference and try to find some middle ground.  If you 'bad mouth' the teacher at home, the child loses all respect for them. If the child and teacher are struggling to 'get long' negative comments made by a parent just make it worse. Look for a solution instead of a sounding board.

Hang on! Only a few more days left until Christmas break!

Have a Very Merry Christmas!
I'm taking next week off, but I'll be back on the 30th of December.

Check out my Facebook page, Chocolate 4 Teachers
Take time over your Christmas break to look through my pins at:  Chocolate 4 Teachers.
If you are looking for reading resources to help out during the hectic holidays go to:   Chocolate 4 Teachers

Still in school next week?  Look at the gifs of these fun games and reading resources to make the days race by!

Story and Board Game

       

The Christmas Flower

Christmas Trivia PowerPoint Game

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This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on June 5, 2015. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

Your child doesn't bring home the note from the teacher. Whose fault it is? Your child is failing a class. Who is to blame?  Your child is hungry. Is it the schools' responsibility to feed them? Too often the answers come back: 1) the teacher  2) the teacher 3) yes
In summary, schools and teachers are being held accountable for more and more as parents continue to shirk their responsibility  Now, before you get upset because you were a room mother and very active in your child's education, this is not about you. This is about the parent that turned their parenting responsibilities over to school districts and teachers. This is about the parent that believes there has to be someone to blame and it must be the teacher. This is the parent that never answers their phone or attends a parent conference. In fact, they never contact the school unless there is something wrong. Then they contact the school flinging out their accusations about a callous teacher and impersonal school system that doesn't care about their child.

Why is it that the kids who are doing well and not having behavioral issues are always the kids that have involved parents? Why is it that the kids who are struggling with behavior and academic issues have parents that only want to complain? They don't want to be bothered with their child's needs, but when they are contacted about an issue they are ready to cast blame anywhere but on themselves. The truth of the matter is..... it should't be a blame game that no-one will win. It should be about taking responsibility for the things that you are responsible for.

Some parents don't feed their children before school because they know the school will provide breakfast and lunch. Some children rely on school programs for their food, even week-end snack packs. This makes me furious.  Not that schools are providing meals for needy children, but that parents are not taking care of their kids. I do realize that there are special circumstances where parents need some help, but too many have come to rely on and expect it.  I often wonder who really eats the meals that are sent in the week-end snack packs? Does the food actually go to the child that needs it? What about children in the home that are not school age? Are they also going hungry?  Too many adults are standing around with their hands out expecting a donation while the rest of us are working long hours just to keep everything going.

Some parents neglect their child's educational needs. They don't get them to school on time or they pick them up early. Sometimes they don't even bother making them come to school. Then it becomes the teacher's/school's fault that the child is struggling academically.  It is a little hard to teach someone who isn't present. You want me to educate your child? Bring your child to school ready to learn. Not worried about where they are going to sleep tonight or if mom and dad are going to have another fight. Not hungry because no one bothered to fix them something to eat and they are tired of cereal. Don't bring your children to school with the attitude that all the work to be done is the teacher's responsibility because the hardest work will be done by them. Don't drop them off at the door and expect the teacher to work miracles. Don't tell them that the teacher can't do anything if they misbehave. Don't ignore the teacher's calls or notes. Be a participant. Be involved. Accept some responsibility. Be a parent.


Just an ending note*
This is one of my 'hot buttons'. I love kids. All ages and sizes.  I can't stand to see anyone neglected or hurt. This cycle of uninvolved and neglectful parents needs to be broken. Too many innocents are becoming statistics and growing into adults that continue the cycle of abuse.

Check out my Facebook page, Chocolate 4 Teachers
Take time over your Christmas break to look through my pins at:  Chocolate 4 Teachers.
If you are looking for reading resources to help out during the hectic holidays go to:   Chocolate 4 Teachers

Check out my Seasonal/Holidays Category for all of your holiday classroom needs!

Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on June 5, 2015. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

Read more »

Chocolate 4 Teachers