An open letter to parents of secondary students

[nimthiriel]

 Dear Parents,

As a secondary teacher, I feel the need to point out a few things. You may be aware that there is a lack of maths/science teachers in our state. One consequence of this circumstance is that maths teachers like myself have a full allotment. In my case, this translates to 5 different classes and ~130 students to teach. That's 130 students to keep track of, mark homework/tests/projects for and write reports for. In a typical week, I work 11hrs/day, 6 days/week and a half-day on the one that's left.

As such, I would like to make you aware of a small yet significant detail: Parent/Teacher Interviews are not a meet & greet. They exist as an  opportunity to discuss the progress of your child. As such, it would be appreciated if you did not book an interview unless you have a genuine concern regarding your child's progress that cannot be resolved over email or by phone. This applies particularly in cases where I have not already requested an interview with you or specified that one is not required from my perspective. If I do not specifically ask for one, then it is unnecessary. Your child is fine.

For me to spend 3hrs of my time  meeting with parents whom I do not need to see is not only exhausting, but is also a waste of my time which rather precious to me as I have so little of it and other work I could be doing in that space. Furthermore, it wastes the time of the parents whom I do genuinely need to speak to about their children (assuming they have shown up) and they are my priority. Not the child that asks for help whenever needed, hands work in on time and gets over 85% for every assessment.

So please parents, show some understanding and do not book an appointment unless you have good reason to believe that your child is struggling in some are and that it needs to be discussed. 

Regards,
A Teacher.

Comments

[damien-wise.livejournal.com]

The night's for the parents, not you.
It's a formal time/place to meet you and be reassured that their kid's in good hands.
And, despite them having access to telephone and email, practically none would drop you a line to see how things are going (and would think it strange if you did the same). That's because it's one of those professional/business relationships where people don't do the type of everyday/"maintenance"-communication you're talking about; there's only special events or emergencies. So, parent-teacher night is their only opportunity to get an objective update on their kids before the end-of-semester report.

[taiba.livejournal.com]

Actually, we have interim reports sent out at the end of term 1. We also send out letters if a kid fails a topic at any time.

It's not like this is their only chance to find out what's happening.

From Ms. Entheo

[entheo.livejournal.com]

As a parent, and as a secondary teacher, I have to take issue with your comments. Parent Teacher nights are for communication between parents and teachers, not just parents of poor students, but ALL students. It is part of the professional duty of a teacher. Having a 'full allotment' is not limited to Maths/Science teachers and other teachers seem to manage. I understand that teaching can be full on in the first year or so, but denying part of your class constituency the opportunity to even 'meet and greet' you will not help. If anything, meeting your parents will help you teach better as you will have a greater understanding of your students. As for interim reports, they are just numbers and rote comments. Yes, they are useful, but nothing compares with actually meeting your students parents, or your child's teacher.
Above all, remember - you chose to be a teacher and it involves more than just being there during school hours! (I won't go into a whole rant about how much more work there is than the average Herald Sun reader thinks as I am sure you, as I and any other teacher out there, know!)

[avaenuha.livejournal.com]

I have to add my hat to the pile in the corner; parent teacher night is equal opportunity, and it's for the parents, not for you. In fact, I remember CGS used to try to insist that all parents attend an interview with each teacher, regardless of the capabilities of their child. I know it feels pointless to tell parents their child is doing fine and there's nothing to discuss, but just because it's pointless to *you* doesn't mean it's pointless to *them*. And you are, after all, being paid to provide all of them a service; not just the parents of poor students.

[taiba.livejournal.com]

If parents want to meet me, a more casual meet & greet can be arranged, on a weekend as a bbq or something to take the pressure off and not have me totally wrecked for hte next day when I'm supposed to be teaching and at full capacity.
The parents can learn what they need to through other forms of communication.