Teachers How Many Overbearing Helicopter Parents do you have

[Anonymous]

Its only the first day of school and they are swarming

[Anonymous]

all of them

[Anonymous]

There's also the snow plow parents who want to clear any obstacle that might stand in their DC's way. It might explain why so many students struggle with resilience.

[Anonymous]

The week teacher assignments came out one parent emailed to discuss her child. I agreed to do so but now it’s turned into emails daily if not more than one a day. I typically respond at the end of the day but that is not enough as her employer expects a prompt response from her therefore she expects the same from me. I reminded her that I teach throughout the day and don’t have access to email. She then went as far to request my daily schedule so she could “better time her correspondence to ensure a prompt response.”

I’m not a new teacher so this doesn’t rattle me as it would have 15 years ago. I spoke to the child’s teacher from last year and there was eventually an intervention with the assistant head of school.

Her child has no special needs that have been publicly disclosed so it’s not even related to accommodations, just touching base on how I am supporting learning needs, offering challenges specific to the strengths of her DD, etc. Less than a week of school and my inbox is already full!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The week teacher assignments came out one parent emailed to discuss her child. I agreed to do so but now it’s turned into emails daily if not more than one a day. I typically respond at the end of the day but that is not enough as her employer expects a prompt response from her therefore she expects the same from me. I reminded her that I teach throughout the day and don’t have access to email. She then went as far to request my daily schedule so she could “better time her correspondence to ensure a prompt response.”

I’m not a new teacher so this doesn’t rattle me as it would have 15 years ago. I spoke to the child’s teacher from last year and there was eventually an intervention with the assistant head of school.

Her child has no special needs that have been publicly disclosed so it’s not even related to accommodations, just touching base on how I am supporting learning needs, offering challenges specific to the strengths of her DD, etc. Less than a week of school and my inbox is already full!

That just boggles my mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The week teacher assignments came out one parent emailed to discuss her child. I agreed to do so but now it’s turned into emails daily if not more than one a day. I typically respond at the end of the day but that is not enough as her employer expects a prompt response from her therefore she expects the same from me. I reminded her that I teach throughout the day and don’t have access to email. She then went as far to request my daily schedule so she could “better time her correspondence to ensure a prompt response.”

I’m not a new teacher so this doesn’t rattle me as it would have 15 years ago. I spoke to the child’s teacher from last year and there was eventually an intervention with the assistant head of school.

Her child has no special needs that have been publicly disclosed so it’s not even related to accommodations, just touching base on how I am supporting learning needs, offering challenges specific to the strengths of her DD, etc. Less than a week of school and my inbox is already full!

Oh lawrd! You have my sympathies. I can't even imagine how she feels that is appropriate. Hopefully the assistant head of school jumps in quickly this year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The week teacher assignments came out one parent emailed to discuss her child. I agreed to do so but now it’s turned into emails daily if not more than one a day. I typically respond at the end of the day but that is not enough as her employer expects a prompt response from her therefore she expects the same from me. I reminded her that I teach throughout the day and don’t have access to email. She then went as far to request my daily schedule so she could “better time her correspondence to ensure a prompt response.”

I’m not a new teacher so this doesn’t rattle me as it would have 15 years ago. I spoke to the child’s teacher from last year and there was eventually an intervention with the assistant head of school.

Her child has no special needs that have been publicly disclosed so it’s not even related to accommodations, just touching base on how I am supporting learning needs, offering challenges specific to the strengths of her DD, etc. Less than a week of school and my inbox is already full!

This is so telling. There’s always a subset of parents who seem to think you are their employee. I hope your admin nipped that sh*t in the bud.

[Anonymous]

Wow. We've never remotely considered complaining about class assignments or anything else, for that matter. Who wants to develop that kind of reputation with the school(s)?

[Anonymous]

I do wonder if teachers appreciate parents who mostly keep quiet except the rare occasion something important comes up (maybe once or twice a year). Sometimes I feel like we are overlooked and the whole squeaky wheel thing. But still, it’s not my personality to badger teachers and I wouldn’t send my kid to the school if I didn’t trust them to handle most things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The week teacher assignments came out one parent emailed to discuss her child. I agreed to do so but now it’s turned into emails daily if not more than one a day. I typically respond at the end of the day but that is not enough as her employer expects a prompt response from her therefore she expects the same from me. I reminded her that I teach throughout the day and don’t have access to email. She then went as far to request my daily schedule so she could “better time her correspondence to ensure a prompt response.”

I’m not a new teacher so this doesn’t rattle me as it would have 15 years ago. I spoke to the child’s teacher from last year and there was eventually an intervention with the assistant head of school.

Her child has no special needs that have been publicly disclosed so it’s not even related to accommodations, just touching base on how I am supporting learning needs, offering challenges specific to the strengths of her DD, etc. Less than a week of school and my inbox is already full!

Dear Mrs. Smith,

I am so glad that you are so invested in Larla's success in the classroom. I appreciate your desire for prompt and regular communication from me, but unfortunately with 25 students, a full-time teaching schedule and all the administrative duties, I do not have time to have daily communication with every parent. Please continue to send your messages to me and I will review them and respond as my other duties allow. When there is an urgent need, I will communicate with you promptly. Thank you for your understanding.

Mrs. Jones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The week teacher assignments came out one parent emailed to discuss her child. I agreed to do so but now it’s turned into emails daily if not more than one a day. I typically respond at the end of the day but that is not enough as her employer expects a prompt response from her therefore she expects the same from me. I reminded her that I teach throughout the day and don’t have access to email. She then went as far to request my daily schedule so she could “better time her correspondence to ensure a prompt response.”

I’m not a new teacher so this doesn’t rattle me as it would have 15 years ago. I spoke to the child’s teacher from last year and there was eventually an intervention with the assistant head of school.

Her child has no special needs that have been publicly disclosed so it’s not even related to accommodations, just touching base on how I am supporting learning needs, offering challenges specific to the strengths of her DD, etc. Less than a week of school and my inbox is already full!

I think the school administration should handle this and put an end to it. Seems unfair to the teacher to have to manage parents like this when it’s a known issue and wastes time and energy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do wonder if teachers appreciate parents who mostly keep quiet except the rare occasion something important comes up (maybe once or twice a year). Sometimes I feel like we are overlooked and the whole squeaky wheel thing.

It matters a lot if you're at a school that ends in 2nd/3rd/8th because, all else equal, the recommendation letters (whether from the HOS or a teacher) will likely "go to bat" for DC if your family doesn't have a PITA reputation -- and even more so if you're known to be kind and friendly. Admissions committees want to know if you're someone they want in their community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The week teacher assignments came out one parent emailed to discuss her child. I agreed to do so but now it’s turned into emails daily if not more than one a day. I typically respond at the end of the day but that is not enough as her employer expects a prompt response from her therefore she expects the same from me. I reminded her that I teach throughout the day and don’t have access to email. She then went as far to request my daily schedule so she could “better time her correspondence to ensure a prompt response.”

I’m not a new teacher so this doesn’t rattle me as it would have 15 years ago. I spoke to the child’s teacher from last year and there was eventually an intervention with the assistant head of school.

Her child has no special needs that have been publicly disclosed so it’s not even related to accommodations, just touching base on how I am supporting learning needs, offering challenges specific to the strengths of her DD, etc. Less than a week of school and my inbox is already full!

Dear Mrs. Smith,

I am so glad that you are so invested in Larla's success in the classroom. I appreciate your desire for prompt and regular communication from me, but unfortunately with 25 students, a full-time teaching schedule and all the administrative duties, I do not have time to have daily communication with every parent. Please continue to send your messages to me and I will review them and respond as my other duties allow. When there is an urgent need, I will communicate with you promptly. Thank you for your understanding.

Mrs. Jones.

NP Seems simple doesn't it? Doesn't work. Trust me. You have no idea.

Thankfully 90% of parents are not like that. Teacher's do appreciate those parents a lot, but they are just appreciating you for being normal and reasonable. That's kind of a low bar but some parents can't reach it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The week teacher assignments came out one parent emailed to discuss her child. I agreed to do so but now it’s turned into emails daily if not more than one a day. I typically respond at the end of the day but that is not enough as her employer expects a prompt response from her therefore she expects the same from me. I reminded her that I teach throughout the day and don’t have access to email. She then went as far to request my daily schedule so she could “better time her correspondence to ensure a prompt response.”

I’m not a new teacher so this doesn’t rattle me as it would have 15 years ago. I spoke to the child’s teacher from last year and there was eventually an intervention with the assistant head of school.

Her child has no special needs that have been publicly disclosed so it’s not even related to accommodations, just touching base on how I am supporting learning needs, offering challenges specific to the strengths of her DD, etc. Less than a week of school and my inbox is already full!

Hello Janice,

I will never have time to respond to emails during the school day as I am ... teaching your child and all the other children in the class, then grading their work, then prepping for the following day of teaching. I will respond to all emails that require a response, at my discretion, within five work days of receiving them. Kaleigh has no special needs that have been disclosed to us, so as an average student i don't expect to have weekly, let alone daily communications with you. Please manage your expectations to meet mine. Our school has a waitlist and nobody will miss you if you leave. I will reach out if I note any issues. Please stand down. I already strongly dislike you and would not want to take that out on your daughter.

Smiley faces,
Stacey

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The week teacher assignments came out one parent emailed to discuss her child. I agreed to do so but now it’s turned into emails daily if not more than one a day. I typically respond at the end of the day but that is not enough as her employer expects a prompt response from her therefore she expects the same from me. I reminded her that I teach throughout the day and don’t have access to email. She then went as far to request my daily schedule so she could “better time her correspondence to ensure a prompt response.”

I’m not a new teacher so this doesn’t rattle me as it would have 15 years ago. I spoke to the child’s teacher from last year and there was eventually an intervention with the assistant head of school.

Her child has no special needs that have been publicly disclosed so it’s not even related to accommodations, just touching base on how I am supporting learning needs, offering challenges specific to the strengths of her DD, etc. Less than a week of school and my inbox is already full!

Dear Mrs. Smith,

I am so glad that you are so invested in Larla's success in the classroom. I appreciate your desire for prompt and regular communication from me, but unfortunately with 25 students, a full-time teaching schedule and all the administrative duties, I do not have time to have daily communication with every parent. Please continue to send your messages to me and I will review them and respond as my other duties allow. When there is an urgent need, I will communicate with you promptly. Thank you for your understanding.

Mrs. Jones.

NP Seems simple doesn't it? Doesn't work. Trust me. You have no idea.

Thankfully 90% of parents are not like that. Teacher's do appreciate those parents a lot, but they are just appreciating you for being normal and reasonable. That's kind of a low bar but some parents can't reach it.

Yes, I do understand that the overbearing parent will push back on this. The trick is to actually follow-through. She sends emails and you respond when you can. If that's once or twice a week, so be it. And under no circumstances do you give your phone number or your schedule to her. If you do need to call her, you call from the school phone, even if it means you have to walk all the way to the office to make sure that you only use a phone that gives the school main office number (in our school, all of the phones in the school have caller ID that is the school main office number, so there is no callback number other than the front office).

If she has a problem with your response, then she is welcome to raise it to your school principal. Hopefully your school principal has your back and will support you. If not, then you ask the school principal which of the mandatory meetings/training or state mandated reports you are allowed to delay in order to spend the time giving this parent daily feedback on her snowflake.

In this case, with limited communication means (e.g. only the school number and only email for direct communication with you), there is a limit to how much she can push back on you without your permission or without the concurrence of your school administrator.