Kids' Parentz

What is up with not supporting your child and his or her education? Today was parent conference day at school and out of the 85 kids I teach 2 of my parents showed up. Granted, I teach in a low socioecomomic, low educated area in the county but I will never understand why a parent wouldn't be interested in his or her child's academic progress. How self-centered can you be? I understand that parents work or have other children to take care of and can't get to the school to speak with me, but what about a phone? And don't get me started on the parents who don't work and have drug problems and are too far gone to even realize how badly their child is doing in school.

I care about each of my students' educations and do my best every single day to make sure they are receiving a quality one. I get paid next to nothing to educate our young adults. I don't do it for the money. I do it because I care about them. Why can't the parents take a couple of minutes out of their day ONE day a semester and come speak with me? Why when I call parents to communicate with them about their child's progress or behavior do I get NO support from them? My favorite response when calling about a child's misbehavior is "I just don't know what to do with him/her." What the heck? Then how do you expect his teachers to "do anything with them"? BE A PARENT, NOT A FRIEND!!!! I know people are busy, but I know I will ALWAYS put my child's education on the top of my list of things to be involved in. I will bend over backwards to help my child with school work, make sure they are involved in things after school, and support them in whatever they're interested in. That means that if my child likes football, I'll make sure he's at every practice and every game. And you better believe that I'll be at every game. If he likes drama and wants to be in plays, I'll make sure he's at every rehearsal and I'll be at every performance.

Some of my kids do things like this after school and have NO one show up to support them. Parent attendance at my concerts is ridiculous. How could you not WANT to see your child excel in sports/arts/academics? I've even have some kids whose parents don't come to their graduation. Come on, now. I would think that graduation would be something that parents would WANT to attend.

I can't help but think that this is another example of the decline of our society. I feel so badly for these kids. Don't get me wrong, some of them drive me crazy, but I still care about each of them.

If you're reading this and you are a parent, PLEASE pay attention to your child. PLEASE be involved in their education. It is SO important for them to have a high school diploma in order to be successful in life. Please show your child you love them by supporting them in all areas of their lives. They need your positive influence and most of all your love.