The One About The 13 Things Teachers Don't Tell Parents

I saw this article at the Reader's Digest website. I found it really amusing - and true - and just had to post it here.

13 Things Your Child’s Teacher Won’t Tell You

1. If we teach small children, don’t tell us that our jobs are “so cute” and that you wish you could

glue and color all day long. (It's not "easy," either, so stop saying that. - Little Miss Pinay Crafter)

2. I’m not a marriage counselor. At parent-teacher conferences, let’s stick to Dakota’s progress,

not how your husband won’t help you around the house.

3. We’re sick of standardized testing and having to “teach to the test.” (That's why progressive

schools rock!)

4. Kids used to go out and play after school and resolve problems on their own. Now, with

computers and TV, they lack the skills to communicate. They don’t know how to get past hurt

feelings without telling the teacher and having her fix it.

5. When I hear a loud belch, I remember that a student’s manners are a reflection of his parents’.

:)

6. Your child may be the center of your universe, but I have to share mine with 25 others.

7. Please help us by turning off the texting feature on your child’s phone during school hours.

8. Guys who dribble a ball for a couple of hours a game can make up to $20 million a year. We

educate future leaders and make about $51,000 a year.

9. We take on the role of mother, father, psychologist, friend, and adviser every day. Plus, we’re

watching for learning disabilities, issues at home, peer pressure, drug abuse, and bullying.

10. Kids dish on your secrets all the time—money, religion, politics, even Dad’s vasectomy. (The

younger the students, the juicier the details. Children don't lie, remember? Hahaha!)

11. Please, no more mugs, frames, or stuffed animals. A gift card to Starbucks or Staples would

be more than enough. A thank-you note: even better. (I second the motion.)

12. We love snow days and three-day weekends as much as your kid does. (And suspended

classes when typhoon signals are raised!)

13. The students we remember are happy, respectful, and good-hearted, not necessarily the ones

with the highest grades. (Soooooo true.....)

Sources: American Federation of Teachers; interviews with elementary and middle school teachers in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, and Texas.