If you are a parent that the teachers like, and are friendly with. Please tell me your secret.

[Anonymous]

As a teacher, I really don't understand this thread. I expect parents to parent - to review homework, to check out grades on line, to model respect (and self-respect), to trust that I am a professional, and to treat me as one when I call regarding an issue.

Furthermore, I don't want you to make excuses for your child, as I doubt he's "directionally impaired," thus making it difficult to arrive to my class on time. (nope - not in his IEP either) Oh - and I'm sorry that I cannot excuse your daughter from homework b/c you've decided that the family vacation must take place in September.

So just be a responsible parent! That's all I ask. It's simple - no brown nosing necessary!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another teacher here.

I don't really need, nor do I expect, you to be concerned about my personal life, although I'm *not* offended if you ask about my kids or my weekend. More importantly, I appreciate it when you are professional, courteous, and patient when you have an issue you'd like to discuss. One of the most difficult things about communicating with parents is that when they have an issue, they want you to discuss it right that very minute, often during transition times or at another unscheduled moment. Everyone thinks their question will only take a minute, but, in reality, they often want to talk longer. I'm always happy to discuss your child's issue with you, in person or on the phone, at length. Please, though, make an appointment first, preferably by email (and give us a day to get back to you, not an hour) so I can be prepared. It's polite and professional and really, the number one thing you can do that would help me do my job well.

This I can appreciate as a parent, but if I may there needs to be another time besides right after school that parents can get feedback or discuss issues with teachers. I have always longed for teachers to have "office hours" say ever third Tuesday of a month in the half hour before school starts so that I knew of an appropriate time to say hey I have a question about. I have a child with an IEP and teacher communication has been one of the ups and downs of the last 4 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher, I really don't understand this thread. I expect parents to parent - to review homework, to check out grades on line, to model respect (and self-respect), to trust that I am a professional, and to treat me as one when I call regarding an issue.

Furthermore, I don't want you to make excuses for your child, as I doubt he's "directionally impaired," thus making it difficult to arrive to my class on time. (nope - not in his IEP either) Oh - and I'm sorry that I cannot excuse your daughter from homework b/c you've decided that the family vacation must take place in September.

So just be a responsible parent! That's all I ask. It's simple - no brown nosing necessary!

Wow. What grade do you teach?--you sound like a real bitch--I hope my kid isn't stuck with you.

[Anonymous]

I NEVER want any teacher or administrator to CALL ME ON THE PHONE FOR ANYTHING. This is what email was invented for.

[Anonymous]

And is the teacher sniping at "September vacations" making some veiled reference to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? Because if so, wow to that, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And is the teacher sniping at "September vacations" making some veiled reference to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? Because if so, wow to that, too.

Where do you see the phrase "September vacations" in this thread?

[Anonymous]

This I can appreciate as a parent, but if I may there needs to be another time besides right after school that parents can get feedback or discuss issues with teachers. I have always longed for teachers to have "office hours" say ever third Tuesday of a month in the half hour before school starts so that I knew of an appropriate time to say hey I have a question about. I have a child with an IEP and teacher communication has been one of the ups and downs of the last 4 years.

Hi, PP, I'm the teacher you quoted in your post above. I think the idea of "office hours" is a really great one and I think I'm going to institute it this year. I'm kind of surprised this has not been brought up to me (nor has it occurred to me) before now because it is such an easy solution. Thank you for sharing it and know at least one classroom might have a smoother process this year because of your idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher, I really don't understand this thread. I expect parents to parent - to review homework, to check out grades on line, to model respect (and self-respect), to trust that I am a professional, and to treat me as one when I call regarding an issue.

Furthermore, I don't want you to make excuses for your child, as I doubt he's "directionally impaired," thus making it difficult to arrive to my class on time. (nope - not in his IEP either) Oh - and I'm sorry that I cannot excuse your daughter from homework b/c you've decided that the family vacation must take place in September.

So just be a responsible parent! That's all I ask. It's simple - no brown nosing necessary!

Wow. What grade do you teach?--you sound like a real bitch--I hope my kid isn't stuck with you.

You couldn't think of something more original than that?

Call me a bitch if you like. After teaching high school for years, I'm not easily rattled. I am a professional, however, often in disbelief over how some parents treat us. To the poster who said to treat us like "real" people? What are we? robots?

And yes, parents will pull their kids out DURING the school year for vacations - and then expect US to catch them up after they've missed instruction for a week. (Hawaii in October comes to mind.)

Jewish holidays are factored into the school year. Furthermore, being in a diverse school, we're very familiar with Islam practices - particularly during Ramadan. (And FWIW, my son attends a Jewish preschool even though we are Christian.)

Again - just be a responsible parent. Office hours? If you're willing to come it at 6:30 am to meet with me before 1st period, by all means - drop by. But I may be busy writing my objectives and preparing my materials.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher, I really don't understand this thread. I expect parents to parent - to review homework, to check out grades on line, to model respect (and self-respect), to trust that I am a professional, and to treat me as one when I call regarding an issue.

Furthermore, I don't want you to make excuses for your child, as I doubt he's "directionally impaired," thus making it difficult to arrive to my class on time. (nope - not in his IEP either) Oh - and I'm sorry that I cannot excuse your daughter from homework b/c you've decided that the family vacation must take place in September.

So just be a responsible parent! That's all I ask. It's simple - no brown nosing necessary!

Wow. What grade do you teach?--you sound like a real bitch--I hope my kid isn't stuck with you.

You couldn't think of something more original than that?

Call me a bitch if you like. After teaching high school for years, I'm not easily rattled. I am a professional, however, often in disbelief over how some parents treat us. To the poster who said to treat us like "real" people? What are we? robots?

And yes, parents will pull their kids out DURING the school year for vacations - and then expect US to catch them up after they've missed instruction for a week. (Hawaii in October comes to mind.)

Jewish holidays are factored into the school year. Furthermore, being in a diverse school, we're very familiar with Islam practices - particularly during Ramadan. (And FWIW, my son attends a Jewish preschool even though we are Christian.)

Again - just be a responsible parent. Office hours? If you're willing to come it at 6:30 am to meet with me before 1st period, by all means - drop by. But I may be busy writing my objectives and preparing my materials.

I should correct myself and write - Islamic practices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher, I really don't understand this thread. I expect parents to parent - to review homework, to check out grades on line, to model respect (and self-respect), to trust that I am a professional, and to treat me as one when I call regarding an issue.

Furthermore, I don't want you to make excuses for your child, as I doubt he's "directionally impaired," thus making it difficult to arrive to my class on time. (nope - not in his IEP either) Oh - and I'm sorry that I cannot excuse your daughter from homework b/c you've decided that the family vacation must take place in September.

So just be a responsible parent! That's all I ask. It's simple - no brown nosing necessary!

Wow. What grade do you teach?--you sound like a real bitch--I hope my kid isn't stuck with you.

Sorry to whoever wrote this, but YOU sound like the bitch. I am a teacher as well and it is important to remember that we have a life outside of school, we have ups and downs and sometimes we have bad days. I do everything in my power to not bring my personal life into school, but when a parent like YOU comes in with an attitude, it can make my day that much worse. I agree with the other poster who wrote that teachers hate gossips. I had several parents who would go to the birthday parties on the weekends and say some unflattering things about me, my co-teacher, and the school we work at. Of course, all of this information got back to me, as it ALWAYS does. I never let it affect my relationship with the student, but it makes it awkward continuing a professional relationship with a parent when I know they are gossipy. Just my two cents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I NEVER want any teacher or administrator to CALL ME ON THE PHONE FOR ANYTHING. This is what email was invented for.

I simply do not understand this. If your child is sick, do you want the school to email you? If your child needs extra help in a particular subject, do you really just want an email from the teacher?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher, I really don't understand this thread. I expect parents to parent - to review homework, to check out grades on line, to model respect (and self-respect), to trust that I am a professional, and to treat me as one when I call regarding an issue.

Furthermore, I don't want you to make excuses for your child, as I doubt he's "directionally impaired," thus making it difficult to arrive to my class on time. (nope - not in his IEP either) Oh - and I'm sorry that I cannot excuse your daughter from homework b/c you've decided that the family vacation must take place in September.

So just be a responsible parent! That's all I ask. It's simple - no brown nosing necessary!

Amazing you were able to turn this thread so negative. Shame on you pp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher, I really don't understand this thread. I expect parents to parent - to review homework, to check out grades on line, to model respect (and self-respect), to trust that I am a professional, and to treat me as one when I call regarding an issue.

Furthermore, I don't want you to make excuses for your child, as I doubt he's "directionally impaired," thus making it difficult to arrive to my class on time. (nope - not in his IEP either) Oh - and I'm sorry that I cannot excuse your daughter from homework b/c you've decided that the family vacation must take place in September.

So just be a responsible parent! That's all I ask. It's simple - no brown nosing necessary!

^^September vacation reference from a teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I NEVER want any teacher or administrator to CALL ME ON THE PHONE FOR ANYTHING. This is what email was invented for.

I simply do not understand this. If your child is sick, do you want the school to email you? If your child needs extra help in a particular subject, do you really just want an email from the teacher?

Obviously, in a health emergency, a phone call needs to be made. But academic or behavioral concerns that are not immediately threatening and are more systemic, yes, shoot me an email and set up a meeting with me--don't sandbag me with a phone call while I am at work. It is really unnecessarily disruptive and incredibly upsetting to get such a phone call. It immediately puts the parent on the defensive and sets up an adversarial relationship. A politely worded email is much more likely to result in a helpful resolution of the problem.

[Anonymous]

As does using bolded, all caps...