Tonight my husband came upstairs while I was writing, and I was, doggone it, in tears. He kissed me and tried to console me, but that of course made it worse. I needed to emote, and guilt-free. Bless him, he was going above and beyond to console me, but sometimes we "heart-fulls" need to go before the Throne. Sometimes our messes are too big for human consumption.
Today was one of those days. I work in a middle school, and middle school is synonymous with drama. Now I'm not great with math, but preadolescents + teachers + drama +parents+ life= X, where X is anything and everything unpredictable.
That equation ruled the day.
Before I even came to school, I had three texts from concerned families.
"There is a problem you need to know about."
"You have no idea what kids are doing at your school."
"I am withdrawing my child from school today, and it's all because of you."
As I enter school at 7:30 in the morning, these texts are at my heels, awaiting attention; however, as I walk into school, there are two parents waiting for me, neither with an appointment, but both with backs bowed in anger.
Parent ONE: "We took a family vacation, and our child came back to too much homework!"
Forty-five minutes of conference, and we come to a compromise.
Parent TWO: "Our child's teacher doesn't accept late work, but we told our daughter to turn it in anyway, even though it was only a week past due. She was given a zero! What are you going to do about it?"
Thirty-seven minutes of parental concerns heard, a parent-teacher conference, and decisions made.
Since school announcements start at 8:00am, I try to placate irate parents for a few moments and focus on sounding upbeat for the morning.
As I'm voicing morning announcements, three students enter the office and say they need to speak to an administrator. I ask them (sign to them) to write down their concerns so I can get to them asap. One leaves, and the others remain, scribbling.
Yes, these are my days.
BUT--I treasure these days, because each time I reach into a student's life, I come back stronger. Though sometimes I feel like I'm drowning, I try to close my eyes for a moment and pretend I'm in the student's--or parent's--position. Then I open my eyes, take a deep breath, and try to help. What would I want as a parent? What would I need as a student?
Sometimes I can help, sometimes I cannot.
But I try.
Our children deal with more that we can imagine. And our parents only know what they know, and, like any parent, respond to a child in pain with protective instincts.
If we work together to meet student needs, and focus as a team, we have the greatest chance of success. Parents, please listen to what your child's teacher is saying. Many times a teacher's seemingly rigid stance is to help your student learn responsibility, or respect, or a multitude of other positive characteristics you ultimately pray for your child, too.
Teachers, please listen to parents. Often they have a back story or personal information that gives you the "Aha!"moment you need to reach and understand their child.
Pre-teens and Teens, thank you for trusting us with your concerns. Thank you for laying your issues in our lap so that we have the chance to mentor, lead, and guide you. We do want to help you, and we know your angst, because we have been there ourselves, both parents and administrators. We are here for you.
And YOU, Administrator! (Who, ME?!?) Have patience with those dozens of children who come to you for help with bullying, social issues, teacher concerns, self-doubts, insecurities, requests for chocolate, grade issues, bus problems, boyfriend/girlfriend issues, or a myriad of other preadolescent concerns. THIS is why you do what you do. THIS is more important than paperwork, or fixing dinner, or sometimes, even eating lunch. THIS is why you do what you do.
Every day, new opportunities.
Today was one of those days. I work in a middle school, and middle school is synonymous with drama. Now I'm not great with math, but preadolescents + teachers + drama +parents+ life= X, where X is anything and everything unpredictable.
That equation ruled the day.
Before I even came to school, I had three texts from concerned families.
"There is a problem you need to know about."
"You have no idea what kids are doing at your school."
"I am withdrawing my child from school today, and it's all because of you."
As I enter school at 7:30 in the morning, these texts are at my heels, awaiting attention; however, as I walk into school, there are two parents waiting for me, neither with an appointment, but both with backs bowed in anger.
Parent ONE: "We took a family vacation, and our child came back to too much homework!"
Forty-five minutes of conference, and we come to a compromise.
Parent TWO: "Our child's teacher doesn't accept late work, but we told our daughter to turn it in anyway, even though it was only a week past due. She was given a zero! What are you going to do about it?"
Thirty-seven minutes of parental concerns heard, a parent-teacher conference, and decisions made.
Since school announcements start at 8:00am, I try to placate irate parents for a few moments and focus on sounding upbeat for the morning.
As I'm voicing morning announcements, three students enter the office and say they need to speak to an administrator. I ask them (sign to them) to write down their concerns so I can get to them asap. One leaves, and the others remain, scribbling.
Yes, these are my days.
BUT--I treasure these days, because each time I reach into a student's life, I come back stronger. Though sometimes I feel like I'm drowning, I try to close my eyes for a moment and pretend I'm in the student's--or parent's--position. Then I open my eyes, take a deep breath, and try to help. What would I want as a parent? What would I need as a student?
Sometimes I can help, sometimes I cannot.
But I try.
Our children deal with more that we can imagine. And our parents only know what they know, and, like any parent, respond to a child in pain with protective instincts.
If we work together to meet student needs, and focus as a team, we have the greatest chance of success. Parents, please listen to what your child's teacher is saying. Many times a teacher's seemingly rigid stance is to help your student learn responsibility, or respect, or a multitude of other positive characteristics you ultimately pray for your child, too.
Teachers, please listen to parents. Often they have a back story or personal information that gives you the "Aha!"moment you need to reach and understand their child.
Pre-teens and Teens, thank you for trusting us with your concerns. Thank you for laying your issues in our lap so that we have the chance to mentor, lead, and guide you. We do want to help you, and we know your angst, because we have been there ourselves, both parents and administrators. We are here for you.
And YOU, Administrator! (Who, ME?!?) Have patience with those dozens of children who come to you for help with bullying, social issues, teacher concerns, self-doubts, insecurities, requests for chocolate, grade issues, bus problems, boyfriend/girlfriend issues, or a myriad of other preadolescent concerns. THIS is why you do what you do. THIS is more important than paperwork, or fixing dinner, or sometimes, even eating lunch. THIS is why you do what you do.
Every day, new opportunities.