One of my favorite teachers had a book signing this past weekend. Mrs. Tartoni wrote a book of her favorite teaching lessons. Over one hundred fifty former students and friends showed up. Sally poured her heart and soul into her role as an English and psychology teacher at Grand Blanc High School over her career. She became one the the most favored teachers all while raising a family with her husband, a math teacher at Grand Blanc High School too. I was not fortunate enough to be in Mr. Tartoni’s class, but many students would tell you that he was one of THEIR favorite teachers. Mrs. Tartoni, Don & Lavonne Bomeli, Dr. Bob Burek and Mike Haynes were a huge part of my middle school and high school experience. Aside from my parents, these educators made a big impact on my life.
As parents, LOOK for these outstanding teachers/administrator/coaches for YOUR children. Good teachers don’t lower the standard for your children, they help your child REACH the standard. Good teachers stretch your child academically and help them push themselves to their limits. My mother-in-law told me that she always looked for her kids to have the teachers that made them sweat, so that when they got to college, they would only have to perspire. I like that analogy. School should help prepare your children for the real world. A teacher who is easy and doesn’t make their students work is doing your child NO favors.
A good teacher works hand and hand with parents. One of our kids’ teachers gave us a call when they noticed that they seemed over stressed. We hadn’t noticed it so we focused in and sure enough there was stress from an extracurricular activity. We were so grateful that the tenth grade biology teacher had made the call.
Over the last fifteen years or so, I have observed a trend in parents NOT supporting the teacher/schools. Stories such as kids getting in trouble at school and parents blaming the teachers, kids showing up to school events with alcohol on their breath and parents not keeping their kids accountable or making THEM experience consequences for their unlawful behavior, beyond the schools’ consequences. In these circumstances, the parents are setting the example that “authority figures don’t matter,” “You do not have to respect authority,” “rules don’t matter “and/or “Mom or Dad will go to bat for you even when YOU are WRONG.” These are horrible lessons to teach kids and it is a very bad example to set.
Schools work best when parents, teachers and administrators work hand and hand. Look for those outstanding school, programs, teachers and administrators who get it right. Get your kids in these places and get involved. Be part of the success and help it continue. When kids see you on board with their education and experiences it gives them a secure and settled feeling. For your kids and their educators to all feel that YOU have their back can be a big part of a very successful and winning organization. Don’t we all love winner and winning?!
Of course, a child’s parents are the most important teachers, as you know your child better than anyone else and YOU know what they need to succeed in life. To have phenomenal individuals in addition to yourself to inspire, teach and cheer your kids on along the way is a great thing, leading to many Great Day 🍎
