Dear Parents: 

Here’s what I know about you:

I know that your child(ren) are the most important thing in the world to you.  I know that you want the very best for them in every way.  I know that you constantly wish you could do more for them financially or emotionally or academically.  You are their biggest cheerleader.  Every day they do something that you think is truly wonderful.  They are hilarious and gifted and special.  You want to fight for them… but not too much.  You can only be as happy as your saddest child is.  You are their advocate.  You KNOW that NO ONE could ever possibly care about your child as much as you do.  Now, if  you are forced to tell the truth, you will admit, at least to yourself, that  your child ALSO can be the most disappointing person you’ve ever met.  They do things that you have no control over; you KNOW they should know better.  They don’t follow through when it would be so easy for them to do so.  They lie to you when telling the truth would be easier.  They give you attitude that you don’t deserve.  All you have ever done is your best for them, and they need to show you that they know that.  I know all of this about you.

Dear Teachers:

Here’s what I know about you:

You have the best interest of every single student in that room in your heart at all times.  You go out of your way to get to know them… even that quiet one in the back… even the one that doesn’t smell so good.  You learn what video games they’re in to.  You listen to their tales of woe.  You care about each of them so much that you lose sleep over them.  You neglect your own kids sometimes because of what you need to do for the kids in the room who are “your kids,” too.  You cry tears of joy at their pep rallies.  Your heart sinks when you know that they worked hard on something and weren’t successful.  You are the epitome of tough love, so nothing is more important to you than to get them ready for life AFTER your class.  When they leave the room,  you want to know that you have done your very best to get them to succeed.  But what I also know is that some days you are so frustrated and tired all you can think is, “I just need to show a movie.”  I know that you are overwhelmed by the amount of obstacles in  your way..  You are tired of talking to parents about students to whom you have given 110 chances yet a parent is asking for 111.  You are sick of students asking for “extra credit” when they didn’t do what they needed to in order to get ACTUAL credit in the first place.  All you have ever done is your best for them and they need to show you that they know that.  I know all of this about you.

Dear Students:

Here’s what I know about you.

You know that your teachers and your parents have your best interests at heart.  You know that they really want to see you reach every bit of potential you have.  You know what they say about your needing to grow up and stand up for yourself is right.  You know that you need to work hard and be prepared.  You know that a 9th grade education isn’t going to get you the house you want, the car you want, the family you want.  You know that if you paid more attention in school, went to tutorials, did your homework that you’d be more successful.  You know that, in the long run, most everything adults are saying to you is correct.  But, the truth be told, it’s all hard and scary and overwhelming.  And you’re a kid… and it’s so stinking hard for you to think about life beyond today… and Netflix and Instagram and Snapchat pull you in… and before too long you’re so far behind that you can’t see how you’ll ever catch up.  You KNOW you could do better… and sometimes you care, and sometimes you don’t.  You find yourself making up stories and hiding things and telling half truths far more often than you tell full truths.. and you just hope that none of us see through the facade.  You know that all of your teachers and your parents have done their best for you and they want you to show that you know that.  I know all of this about you.

Parents, teachers, students:

We’re in this together.  I swear to you we are.  We’re just coming at it from all different ways and we have all different roles.  We need to understand that about each other. 

Parents:

Please think back to your own education.  Realize that it was a RARE teacher who had it out to get you…  And if they did, it probably had something to do with you.  Please believe that teachers were not drawn to the profession for the paycheck or for the hours.  It is a labor of love…  They are professional people who want the best for your children.  You may have two, three, or even seven children.  They have had THOUSANDS… and as unique, and amazing, and wonderful as your child is, they HAVE seen similar situations, similar circumstances… Trust them when they tell you something.  They really may know a few things about raising kids to be adults that you don’t, as hard as that may be to hear.  They are on YOUR side… remember?  They want what’s best for your child.  Maybe you disagree… but maybe, just maybe,  the teacher is right.

Teachers:

Please don’t blame parents for fighting for their babies.  You are teaching a student whom you love… but you only have him for a few years at most… you haven’t TRULY seen everything that has gone on in that child’s life.  Be understanding when a parent can’t be.  Try to educate the parent instead of being an adversary.  Remind them that you are on their side.  Realize that over your years of teaching that MOST parents are reasonable, supportive individuals.  It can’t be an “us vs. them” mentality if  you truly want what’s best for all kids.  Be as united as you can.  Be as understanding of differences with parents as you are of differences with students. Really take the time to listen to a parent.  Maybe you disagree… but maybe, just maybe, the parent is right.

Students: 

Be honest.  That’s all I’ve got for you.

Be honest with your parents, be honest with your teachers, be honest with yourself.  You are the only one in the situation who knows the truth.  See things as they really are and don’t allow yourself to make an “us/them” mentality between two groups of people who you KNOW only want the best for you.

And that’s all I’ve got to say about that.