Yesterday whilst waiting between interviews at parent teacher night I read this great piece of writing from ‘The Age’: ‘Show respect, don’t demand it’. There is so much accuracy in this article that I would recommend you to read it and reflect on it.
A colleague gave it to me for a read and as soon as I read the headline I agreed. I guess the bottom line is really that as teachers we can demand all we want, yet from experience, both personal and observed, the only way we are ever going to get it, is if we give it. Not just as teachers either I would suggest, as parents, partners, employees, even bloggers I imagine.
My parent teacher interviews were wonderful. I met with mostly very loving, supportive parents who have great kids. It was a pleasure to be able to share with them my observations about progress and personal gratitude for their young people.
MSN & Joanna Newsom
Years ago (probably 10) I had MSN and I used it occasionally. I found it a little invasive to be honest. The way it would pop up whenever I logged on to the Internet was kind of annoying. My kids used it a lot, so I stopped altogether and when I got my own laptop, I didn’t put it on. It was kind of part of the freedom of having my own computer.
I have re-installed it this week. It’s changed. It’s great!
Finally now I have friends and people I know on MSN that I can chat to with it. I like that. I am not that much into chatting to random people.
I am loving Joanna Newsom this week. Especially this song:
Parent Teacher Interviews
Today I asked a kid to get his parents in for an interview. I have taught this young man for 3 years. He is the only student I have ever taught for three years in a row. It has been a pleasure to teach him. I have never requested an interview with his parents. I have never felt any need to see them. He has usually worked well, behaved well and been caring and compassionate with other students. I realised today, this would be the final parent-teacher interviews I would have a chance to meet them. I really want to tell them face to face, what a wonderful job they have done with their son.
Positive Calls
Our principal asked us last year to make a positive phone call home. She suggested that instead of focusing on negative behaviour and phoning parents to let them know what the child was doing wrong, that we chose someone who was doing the right thing and phoned the parents and let them know their child was doing great. I took the challenge and phoned a parent of a kid I’d been quite impressed with that week. The parent was delighted and the kid was my friend for life. I still get a huge smile every time I see him, he’s left our school now.
Good Intentions
After that experience, I thought I ought to do it once a week. It made me feel so good as well. I haven’t done it since though. I’m setting an intention to make at least one of those calls this week before school finishes. I hope that those parents do visit me at parent teacher interviews too!