"To Parents", by Christine Jones

As a teacher, what are things you wish you could tell your students’ parents?

By Christine Jones, Middle School Science Teacher

(Reblogged from Quora)

I wish I could hand out the following wish list to parents of my middle school students:

1. PLEASE take the cell phone away after 9:00pm. They are texting and looking at YouTube all night long. They aren't getting enough sleep.
2. Please check your child's grades online, and look at the report cards. Don't ask what they can do to improve their grade the last week of school. It's too late.
3. Please return our phone calls. If we are calling, it's important. We don't have time to waste calling for no reason, and we need your help.
4. Please stop saying "my child would never lie to me". Kids lie. It's normal.
5. Please don't assume we dislike your child if they get reprimanded at school. If they fail a test, get a detention… we are trying to correct behaviour. It's not personal.
6. I am trying my best every day. I do this job because I love it, and I wouldn't want to do anything else. I would appreciate your support. Telling your child to respect their teachers is a great way to help.

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