Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Are You a Parent?



This year will be my 13th year as a teacher.  Numerous changes have occurred throughout my years of teaching.  Most of them, I feel, have been very positive and have made me into a better teacher.  

I remember when I graduated college (Go Falcons!) and I was super excited to get my first teaching job.  I then got a job in my hometown and at a school that I went to when I was little.  I was so excited to decorate my classroom and to be doing what I always imagined and wanted to be doing.  
photo of wolfelicious classroom

I got a great mentor and the other teachers at the school were so helpful!  My school year started and I remember feeling intimidated because the parents of my classroom were much older than me.  I felt scared!  

I now had my own classroom that I always wanted but with being just out of school I felt people didn't think I knew what to do.  Not the staff at my school, they were wonderful.  I guess I felt that way from the parents because they thought I was so young.  They would say, I never had a teacher like you?  Are you a parent?  

What did that mean?  

Then the school year progressed.  I had some wonderful students and some that were wonderful but needed a little more help to be that way.  I felt like I finally had my dream job!  I was doing what I always had wanted to do.  

The year, I felt, was going well and my students were learning.  Then I remember someone telling me, you will understand better when you are a parent?  

What does that mean?   

So, every teacher needs to be a parent to be a better teacher?  

Is this true?  

For years, I debated with myself what exactly being a parent had to do with teaching.  I didn't think being a parent would change my teaching at all.  I thought I would be the same kind of teacher that I had always been. 

I know it takes a very special person to be a teacher.  We know we aren't in it for the money.  Are teachers that have children better teachers than teachers that don't have children?  

I know it always upset me when someone would ask me if I had children.  I didn't think it made a teacher better at their job.  After teaching for so many years, I think it depends on the teacher if she/he is a better teacher because they have children.  
photo wolfelicious children

I think for myself, it has made me a better teacher because I always think about, what if that was Liam?  What if that was my son?  Is that how I would want his teacher to handle the situation?  I do believe that the teachers that have children of their own feel this way in their teaching.  I think it helps a teacher become a better teacher because it puts more meaning into their job.  It isn't just a child you are teaching, it is someone's child.   Would you want your child treated this way?  

What are your feeling about this subject?  Do you like it when people ask you if you have children?  Does it change the view of the teacher?  Let me know.

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a Wolfelicious Day!!


Pre-K, Kindergarten, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Higher Education, Adult Education, Homeschooler, Staff - TeachersPayTeachers.com

8 comments:

  1. I do think it helps you to understand how the parents are feeling a little better. Before my daughter was born I knew parents played an important role in their child's education, but after Delaney was born, I saw just how important the role was. Since she was born, I have more appreciation of those parents that are working with their children, but I hate to say I have been very frustrated by the parents who do nothing at home with their children, probably more than when I had no children. I found out after having Delaney that it doesn't cost a lot to teach your child, I guess some parents just don't know what to do. sorry for getting on my soapbox.
    Kelly
    I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher

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  2. I will be a parent in about 6 months and I know that will change things. But it has always bothered me when people ask. I try to think of every child in my room as mine and recognize that they belong to someone. I had a grandmother ask me one time if I had children, I wS trying to discuss her granddaughter in a positive way with her. My response was I have 18 of them. I consider my students my kids!

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  3. Being a parent has definitely made me a better teacher!
    Jennifer
    First Grade Blue SKies

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  4. Hmm..that's a great subject! I am 26 and not a parent yet, but we are starting to try. :) I don't think being a teacher and parent makes someone a better teacher, however I can see how many people would think that way because how do you really know children until you have your own. I think people who go into teaching are special already and love kids and some have their own and some don't and you really can't tell. :) great post!

    Sarah
    Teachingiscolorful.blogspot.com

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  5. I agree with you that it depends on the teacher. I know some teachers who do not have children of their own, for various reasons, but they are wonderful teachers. Yet, I also know teachers who do have children, but are not passionate about teaching and have lost their "spark". However, I do think it has made me more tolerant with some of my challenging students since I have 3 boys of my own. I have a soft spot for little boys now, more so than the girls, I don't know why. It does give you a different perspective on homework as well. Do I want to help my own child with 3 hours of homework?? I think that it may effect aspects of our teaching by having our own children, but I truly believe that a good and passionate teacher will be a good teacher regardless. Thanks for sharing.

    ~Laura
    Luv My Kinders

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  6. I am not a parent and I think I am one of the biggest parent and child advocates in my school. I'm kind of born nurturer. I always think about my students as if they were my own. Honestly, parents and other teachers who say those kinds of things to teachers without children (especially for no reason) really need to think about it before they say it, I've wanted children for many years and haven't had any so the few times that has been implied I really have to to bite my tongue because its painful really. Perhaps if its said again, I won't bite my tongue.

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  7. Hi April, I love your blog! I was hoping you might hop over to my blog and enter my giveaway! Thanks!!
    -Melanie
    Teacher’s Lounge

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  8. i dont agree at all. being a parent does not make you a better teacher. ; being someone that you children in your class can talk to about anything and everything with out feeling like they are "stupid or being judged" makes you a better teacher.

    XoXo Marie
    following you. please follow back!
    laylamichael.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete