Teachers do you notice this...

[tnkbl]

When school is out for summer and you see parents of kids who will be coming into your grade, do they break their neck to come and wave and talk. These are the very same parents who would not give you the time of day a couple of weeks before.
Has anyone else noticed this?

This is not intended to start a debate between teachers and parents, please do not flame me!

 

[WendyDarling]

No, I've never had that happen. Sorry that you have.

 

[paigevz]

One of the secret reasons I teach is for the fame!

Honestly, anytime I see a kid of any grade from my school the process starts: Kid whispers to other kid (there are ALWAYS more than one)"Is that Mrs. X? I think that's Mrs. X!" Kid 2: "It IS Mrs. X. Mom! It's Mrs. X!" Mom: "Oh, yes, it is." Kids: "Can we say hi, please?" Mom: "Sure." Kids come up to say hi, then mom (or other adult chaperone) comes up looking sort of shy and says something to the effect of "We so wish Jimmy could've had you in 2nd grade" or "I'm so sorry about that incident with Jimmy when he had you in 2nd grade" or "We sure hope Jimmy gets you in 2nd grade".

The only change in summer is that right after that, there's a bit of a smile and "Do you happen to know which list Jimmy might be on for this year?" To which I have to respond, "No one really knows until just before the lists are posted."

The lists being posted day is a day to witness. For those who haven't had the pleasure, in our school the lists are posted two hours before Meet the Teacher begins. The entire neighborhood comes out about an hour before that. We are told to duck and cover when they put out the lists, as those in the crowd on your list will begin waving and asking to come in.

I also always get requests to try to see that Jimmy gets on a certain list in summer..........and at Meet the Teacher night I get requests to see if Jimmy can be changed. I've been in that school the 3rd longest of any teacher, so I guess they either think I have power or I'm just a familiar face.

I don't mind any of it. It's all part of the fun of teaching.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

See I do not like the fame. I teach in the same city in which I live and parents think that they can run into me and have a consultation about little Johnny while I am shopping.

I know this sounds mean but I have a life and when I am out for the summer I do not want to hear how their kids will not read or practice math. I got my own kids to do it by myself so why can't they? I send home packets to practice and i " lead the horse to water" by offering prizes in the fall even though the kids I have will then be in middle school. It is up to the parents to " make them drink".

If I am buying tampons or birth control, I do not want a student hanging over me...I am funny that way.

 

[paigevz]

Well, I was trying to be funny, but I do know what you mean. We did live in the same neighborhood as my school until about this time last year. I really don't mind most of the time, but there are times that I do.

Today we were going to garage sales, and I did ask my husband to go to a different neighborhood for that very reason. Then I saw one of the kids anyway! But they are just so thrilled to see me, that I can't resent it too much.

One of the reasons I like living further out from the city, is that I have closer grocery stores, Targets, restaurants and same distance malls that are not the ones our neighborhood kids go to.

My biggest problem used to be the sports fields. That's where they wanted to have conferences and tell me to tell their kids to do things. Not so much at the stores. Now my children play ball for another league, so that's better.

 

[milkabum]

I've asked that question one to many times, but I was wondering, after you do see the lists do you have control over changing them (ex. switching students)?

 

[paigevz]

Yes, I can change a list.

I don't do it often (if I did, I suspect I'd not be able to after a while), and I do have to have it approved, so I have to have a good reason for the request.

 

[Sherri]

Well believe it or not as a person who works for an elementary school near where I live, I get put on the spot quite a bit. Everyone wants to know the dirt. I give the same same answer each and everytime.
I go to work at 9am, I leave at 12pm and I mind my own business while I am there. It amaes me what people feel comfortable asking.

 

[lillygator]

hmmm..........OP does this effect the way you teach/approach the child/parents?

 

[lillygator]

I got my own kids to do it by myself so why can't they? I send home packets to practice and i " lead the horse to water" by offering prizes in the fall even though the kids I have will then be in middle school. It is up to the parents to " make them drink".

well obviously they are not a teacher! You studied this and you know how to "teach yor children" right? I guess I feel choosing a career in "public service", well that speaks volumes!


Will pack this away for future advice....upon seeing teachers in public do not speak to!

 

[tnkbl]

hmmm..........OP does this effect the way you teach/approach the child/parents?

No, I still try and be friendly.

 

[Laz]

I teach at a Catholic HS, and it is like a family. I am always stopped by parents and students, many times just to say Hi (Look! Its Mr. Laz! Lets go say hi!) Its not really a bother.

 

[nataliz]

To the OP, I didn't notice "next year's parents" being overtly friendly and talkative at the end of the year. I think that they are just curious about the teacher who may have their child next year. I don't really blame them for that- I'm the same way with my children's teachers.

I love running into my students and talking to them out in the real world. I teach 1st and 2nd grade, so they are always confused when they see me outside of school (most think that I live in the school building, I think ). To me, it helps to build our relationship (students and parents).

I've asked that question one to many times, but I was wondering, after you do see the lists do you have control over changing them (ex. switching students)?

I'm guessing this must vary, but in my school we have no control in class lists. Our principal spends alot of time making sure that the classes are evenly distributed and trying to meet parent requests (our principal takes requests and recommendations on learning styles, but will not take requests for specific teachers).

 

[tnkbl]

I must not have explained myself very well...I am not saying that I don't like to be stopped and talked to, I am a pretty friendly person who will talk to anyone who will listen. Every year there are parents who ask about next year, etc and these may be parents that I don't normally talk to, but this parent I am talking about inparticular got mad at me this year b/c I would not let her into the building with the library b/c she had not checked in at the office and she told me she did not have to check in and she would just wait until someone else came along and get in. I have smiled when I have seen her throughout the year and she just has a blank look on her face in return. Now that her child is going to be coming into the grade I teach she comes up and starts a conversation everytime I see her. I am not holding a grudge, I just felt a little strange at first.

 

[paigevz]

well obviously they are not a teacher! You studied this and you know how to "teach yor children" right? I guess I feel choosing a career in "public service", well that speaks volumes!


Will pack this away for future advice....upon seeing teachers in public do not speak to!

As I said, I rather enjoy speaking with kids and parents most of the time, so if you see me out there, come and say hi!

For the record, I am asked for and give advice on everything about when to talk to the kids about the birds and bees to how to help them concentrate on homework to what to do if they won't eat their veggies. I have no problem with that either, but occasionally I get frustrated because often the parents will give me every reason that my advice won't work after they asked me for it.

One of the biggest ones that I'm successful with is the veggie one, when I explain that a small child's portion size is just a few tablespoons........they are always amazed by that and usually say their child does eat that much.

My biggest non-success is my advice to turn off the television during homework time........they just do not want to do that because the father is watching or they are watching or the younger sib is watching. I always respond then that I don't know what to do for their child as I myself can't do work with the television on.

OT: My dh is very interested in Siesta Keys. He wants to know if you can post any pics of your area? How much for a 2-3 bedroom and how many availabilities are there (if you know, if you've seen for sale signs or whatever)? Thanks!

 

[Disney Doll]

well obviously they are not a teacher! You studied this and you know how to "teach yor children" right? I guess I feel choosing a career in "public service", well that speaks volumes!


Will pack this away for future advice....upon seeing teachers in public do not speak to!

Oooh... a little "testy", no?

Would you think of going up to your doctor at the beach and begin discussing your recent gall bladder attack? No.

Why would you think that a teacher wants to hear about the issues you are having with your child during their summer vacation?

It's "public service" not "public slavery".

 

[lillygator]

Oooh... a little "testy", no?

Would you think of going up to your doctor at the beach and begin discussing your recent gall bladder attack? No.

Why would you think that a teacher wants to hear about the issues you are having with your child during their summer vacation?

It's "public service" not "public slavery".

no more testy than the OP~~~~!!!

In all reality...my girls go to "school" - they are "graded" (not the correct verbage I am sure) on certain things in their respective classrooms. Now Sarasota is not huge and we have seen teachers from all the classes at DD's school out and about. Personally, have never asked about progress, etc....but I could see how it may come up. As a full time working mother who may not be able to schedule appointments during the teacher's workday I would hate to think that my children may suffer because I - as a concerned parent - chose to ask about my child during the teacher's "off duty" hours.

ETA: when we've seen DD's "teacher's, we never say more than a "greeting".....I would never - NEVER expect a conference outside of school...that would be up to the teacher - or the parent to schedule.

and even moreso now - we will simply smile and wave!!

 

[paigevz]

Okay, now that's a bit different. I won't hesitate to chat with you and even offer general parenting advice, but I will not conference outside of school. I will not discuss progress or specific school issues (beyond homework questions). First, if you see me out I probably am doing something and I don't have that kind of time generally. Secondly, I don't have all the information (grades, daily work examples, various tests) there that is generally necessary to have a conference.


Edited to say though, of course I would never hold it against a child that their parent asked about their progress outside of school. I don't think any teacher would.

 

[paigevz]

Oh, with both of our edits, I see we agree!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Hi, fellow teachers!

I teach high school in an inner city, so my experiences are of course different! I actually get former or current students who stop by my room at the end of the year and ask what grade I'll be teaching. (I've taught freshmen, sophs and seniors)When I tell them I don't know, they'll reply "Request juniors so you can get me next year!" or "Teach seniors and request me!" Little do they know I have no control over what grade or which students I will be teaching.

If there were a student that had previously failed a class of mine, or who had been an extreme discipline problem, I could request to have them removed when we get the lists (first week in Sept. usually 2-3 days before school) but that would be a production and I haven't had the need to do that yet.

As far as teacher conferences/grades, etc. my boss instructs us to *never* discuss grades/behavior etc. with a parent/guardian outside of a conference or a supervised phone call for our own protection and professionalism as well as the students' privacy. We are not to discuss grades where others can overhear. Parents are not permitted to enter the building to speak with a teacher without an appointment. Once I called a parent back from home out of courtesy and he must have had caller ID and called me probably hundreds of times after that. I learned my lesson!

I certainly think most people understand that teachers are humans, too and do not want to/ should not have conferences when they are trying to pick up dinner, a prescription, play with their kid in the playground, etc. For quick questions like "When is the final exam?" or "Will you be going to prom?" I of course don't mind, but I would not discuss grades without my gradebook in front of me, or with others around.

That comment about not wanting students to see you buying tampons and birth control is hysterical. I am so paranoid about students seeing me. I hate when I get *caught* all sweaty in sweatpants coming out of the gym, or buying personal items. I get my prescriptions filled, film developed, etc. in a separate town. I won't even use local liquor stores. I just don't want students knowing any information about me that they might misconstrue (I saw Ms. Lulu buying Malibu, she must think it's ok for me to drink, too! Uhhh no- I'm 26, you're 15) or that they could use against me/exaggerate. (Ms. Lulu's an alcoholic.)

Ahhhh! The joys of teaching!