Some Parents Just Don't Understand...

The Background: As a reflective piece, my assistant teacher thought it would be great to provide parents with a sort of "Customer Service Survey". I think it would be a great idea. So to get the ball rolling, I asked a parent that I've had in my class for two years "whada ya think" after one of the traditions at our school...

The Situation: As a tradition, my school brings all of the preschool families together to make a Feast for Thanksgiving. The parents provide the food; they set up and join their children for a lunchtime feast. In all honesty, it was chaotic last year. It wasn’t very organized, there wasn’t enough food and it was overwhelming for my children and their parents who are new to the school... So this year, it was organized better, there was enough food and it was cute for our children and their parents. Lots of planning on the teacher’s part made sure that this was enjoyable for everyone.

The Answer: So after this activity, the question was put to this parent "What did you think of the Feast" They were here for both years and I just wanted a simple comparison... Well that is not what I got... He though that there is no reason for us to do this type of activity. As a parent he feels that we "require" them to show up for too many activities and if he didn’t have a flexible schedule he doesn’t know what he would do. He also thought that it was un-necessary for this activity because it went over the children’s head and they have no idea what we were trying to get them to understand.

This is how I think he doesn’t understand:
1. In asking his opinion, we asked a simple and direct question and he never really gave us an answer too it.
2. The reason behind this "type" of activity is to bring the parents and children together for a time of fun, food and "fellowship". Also at three and four years old children learn by doing. They are visual and hands on learners and this activity helped them understand it a little bit more.
3. If you don’t want to come then you don’t have to come. All of our activities are voluntary. I don’t like it when parents come to participate in activities and instead of being there and enjoying the moment they stand back with a grumpy face judging and criticizing and that isn’t fun for anyone (except that parent).

Here is what I learned:
1. You can’t please everyone. No matter what you do there is always the possibility that somebody isn’t going to like it or will be unsatisfied and that’s ok!
2. When you open yourself up to criticism that is exactly what you will get and not necessarily about what you are asking; there could be something that has been on a persons mind for quite a long time and they unleash it on you, the person asking. There is a reason why people don’t offer customer service surveys and that is precisely why. The customers are obviously satisfied enough to continue using the service, so don’t push it!
3. Parents aren’t teachers and if you really want them to understand, you have to teach them too! It’s a lotta work on the teacher, but maybe it will produce great results in the end.

Teacher vs. Pediatrician-who wins?/who's advice do you take?

As a Teacher I know the wealth of knowledge that I have and I trust in the wealth of knowledge that my team has. However being a parent you have no choice but to entrust your child, their care and their learning into what you expect to be and just plain old hope to be "capable hands" on a day to day basis. However, for a doctor/pediatrician you entrust your childs care to them on a appointment basis. And with both you expect that they will give you and your child exactly what he/she needs or what you think they need. There are so many differences and yet very little (but one or two) similarities. So with two capable people giving you two different opinions on the same subject matter, who do you listen to?

Feeling that your child may be different in any way is difficult to process and to handle. However, if you feel that your child is different in any way seek help immediately! Please don't wait. There can only be two senarios. 1. You were worried about nothing because there were test and nothing came of it. OR 2. Your worries were correct, something was found and now your child is on the road to receiving help to correct or to recover what went wrong.
BUT IF YOU WAIT only one thing can come of that: the child misses the opportunity to correct it, you continue to wonder and now someone else has to point it it because it is interfering with learning.

This blog post is in honor of a family that trusted a pediatrician that encouraged mom to wait. The child is in my care so naturally I had to bring it up and try to deprogram the parents about getting their child help. This child had never been in school so mom only had the pediatrician to listen too. I am sorry that this happened. The parents now have the info to get some help and prayfully soon mom will contact them and they will be on the road to getting the help that this child needs.

Check In Time...

As the year progresses, seemingly way too fast, it is time to check in! As a teacher I am happy to chat with parents, I enjoy corresponding with them (unlike some teachers). I think I provide way too much information but because the parents are away from their children for so long, they like way too much information!

But this time of checking in is a time to discuss parental concerns about school, home life, ask questions etc. But it is also a time for teachers to do the same: discuss concerns, progress thus far and to brainstorm with the parents if needed.

So parents, please do not be alarmed when a teachers requests a "check in" meeting. This is for your benefit alone!.
As a side note, here is this months bulletin board:
Its a combination of teacher work and student work!

Off and Running Really FAST!!!

You are most likely aware that the school year has already begun. For me, the title describes it best, it is off and running really fast! Once the children's feet hit the carpet of their new classroom for the first time, it doesn't slow down until after Christmas...

Growth:
Change and growth as an individual is tremendously important to me. But as a teacher, I feel like it keeps me current, renews my passion and it keeps me going with all of the things that are on my to-do list. So this year, my change or growth is that I am starting community outreach for my preschool classroom. I have been taught that you always give back, so I would like for my classroom and prayerfully the school that I am at to have a presence in the community. Now by the definition of community, we are reaching far beyond that. However, things in our community are not exactly age-appropriate for my class. However, we are still in our state and we are doing wonderful things. We have 3 community outreach projects for this school year; 2 that we rotate by month and one we complete monthly.

Rotating monthly, we will send either cards or banners to John Hopkins Hospital the children's cancer wing or to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Our one true "community" outreach project will be monthly and that is making lunches for the Light House Shelter.

For my three year olds, this will build the foundation that they will need to the thoughtful individuals that will grow up to be adults that will seek opportunities to give back to their community.

My hope for the school is that more people will see that although this is a big commitment, it is worth it. There are people who need our help, especially now with the state of the American people help is needed more than ever.

4 Weeks and Counting...

Excitement. Nervousness. Jittery. Ready to get started!

These are all of the emotions that I am feeling with four weeks left of summer vacation. As a Teacher I get this way. But even as an Assistant Teacher I was the same way. I don't like this haze period of waiting to get into the classroom and get things moving.

Again this year I am moving into a new classroom.(this is not my classroom)

So I have to get in that classroom and move things around 1700 times before they are in a semi-permanent position. However, that never lasts long because I am always self evaluating and reflecting which is portrayed in my classroom and hopefully in my children. I am constantly asking the WHY? questions that teachers have been urged and educated not too.

However, I think the reflection piece is so important for young people. The ability to think within yourself, to recognize mistakes, to question yourself of "why did I do that?" or "Why did that happen?" AND more importantly "How can I fix it?" or "How can I overcome this?" is an important life lesson that should be taught and learned.

Unfortunately, the alternative is generations of little people, growing up to be big people without the ability to:
1. Look within themselves to evaluate their other possibilities
2. To learn from what went well and to produce more of it
3. To peel away the layers of actions that didn't go so well and to believe in yourself enough to try out similar situations to gain different outcomes.

BUT I DIGRESS!

Getting back to the subject at hand...

Praise God, this year I will have the only 3 year old classroom and the classroom is already FULL! That is such a blessing. It is so hard to establish routines in the classroom only to have 2 or 3 more children to come in and need those routines established. But thank God the classroom is full, I have Mrs. Linda as my Assistant and I believe all will be well.

Hard Truths...

Tough love is about to commence in 3..2..1..

Unfortunately developmental, physical and emotional delays are apart of the global misfortunes that people become victims of. I, in no way, shape or form would ever wish any of these ailments on anyone.

However, God has placed capable people in your path to provide parents and other family members guidance and insight on things that seem off, awry, or things in need of fine tuning with your children.

In English: Teachers are trained and equipped to recognize areas of concern withing your children. They are with your children -in most cases- for more hours than the parents are during the week, definately during the day. They have built relationships with your family (or they should be or should have)and are well-educated with the age and developmental stages of the age groups that they are teaching.

The Bottom Line:
Teachers are parents' first line of defense. They are on the front lines in each families war on the best education for their children. So seek the information that they have for you. Pick their brains, discuss anything that you may find questionable and be proactive about the situation; prayfully before there is a situation.

Please, if you feel the need, seek the professional expertise of a second opinion however, please do not disregard the professional opinion of the teacher that has worked seemingly tirelessly with your child as well as your family for some one who evaluated your child through either a series of one on one test or though five minutes of adult interaction. Dig deeper and resolve the deeper issues not just dissolving the debris on the surface.

**My sincere prayer is that this ranting really helps a parent, another family member or even a friend of the family find the answers or even some resources to put them on the path to the answers that they need.**

**Continuing that same prayer, I pray that this ranting renews the passion within that weary teacher that is short on patients and big on issues, that is questioning the zest that he/she has for the job that they do so well** Keep on keeping on!!!

What do Teachers do in the summer?

Teaching three year old children you learn not to be surprised by the questions that you are asked as this age group is naturally inquisitive.

As a circle time conversation, I asked the children "What will you do during your Summer break?" After they supplied their fun answers a child turned to me and said "Ms. Tomika what will you do in the summer?" -I had to construct a fun answer (which I will include at the end) but this is what a Teacher does during the summer.

Hopefully most Teachers are enjoying lots of down time. Fun at the beach, fun with the family etc. However, in my experience, it is not always fun and games for teacher. Here are a few things that I will be working on during my summer break.

1. Organization:
During the school year I try to stay organized but the days fly by really fast. So during the summer when you have some down time or for me, before my true vacation time starts, I organize.

2. Clean
Organizing and cleaning are similar but very different. In a classroom, cleaning means sanitizing, removing unwanted items, recycling other teachers unwanted items into my classroom.

3. Planning, Planning, Planning...
I am a planner. So I am always thinking what to do ahead of time. Getting a head start on my planning will help me once the school year creeps closer and closer. I try to plan The First 6 weeks of school which will allow me plenty of time once school starts to plan ahead.

4. Execution
Weeks before children arrive, Teachers are arranging the classroom and rearranging to make the space perfect for the children and their families that will be arriving soon.


Now as you know I didn't tell the child who asked me about my summer break plans all of this so I stuck to the fun plans of hanging by the beach, in the pool and with my family- which are all in the plans but the not so fun stuff is the more pressing info for me.
As a teacher or educator, how do you handle all of your teacher responsibilities and summer time fun during the summer?