From the bottom of my heart, thank you
I have been dragging my feet writing this post, sorry everyone! I’m sure so many other people are feeling the same where the to-do list is never ending! When I check off one thing, another thing gets added! Finally, I just decided to put the to-do list aside and pop on here to write. This will be a good break from the work!
The month of November is probably one of the most stressful months for any teacher. Parent-teacher conference time! This is by NO means because we don’t like talking to the parents! Our job though generally consists of dealing with kids and meeting kids needs, so talking with the parents of the children we put so much effort forth to teach, no matter how many years you have been a teacher, can be nerve-wrecking and even a little intimidating. Personally, I was especially nervous this year. I want the parents to be just as pleased with the education I am providing their child as I hope their child is. I want to be able to provide all the necessary information and show each parent that I care about their child and want the best for them. THAT is the honest truth.
With that said, going into conferences, I was nervous about having all that information. I have been teaching these students for about 3 months now, so I should know them all, right? I should know where their strengths and weaknesses are academically, their hobbies, all that good stuff, right? Virtual learning does not make it easy to get to know 23 students the best I can. It adds so many barriers to that personal connection I try to make with every student in some way. Before November hit, I was feeling like I was building personal relationship with them, while also getting to know their academic abilities. Come the start of conferences though I started to second guess myself.
But of course, as it happens almost every year, I had nothing to worry about. Each conference I signed onto, I was able to speak about the child just as well as if we were back in school. I even felt, in some conferences, that I could speak more deeply on a personal note about students that truly keep me going: the student that never fails to unmute when entering Zoom just to say “Good morning!”; the student that, even in the silence, I can still see laughing at my ridiculous jokes or silly comments; the student I can always count on to participate in class, even when 98% of the class is silent….(gotta love Monday mornings!); the student that helps me keep my head on straight by giving me reminders when I ask for them; or even the student that notices when I wear a shirt with the Preamble of the Constitution on it (proud teacher moment right there!).
All in all, every conference I felt more comfortable and confident that as a teacher, I was still doing something right this year. In such difficult times, it can get tough to remind myself that it’s okay when things don’t go the way I planned or wanted them to go. I never became a teacher for any thanks, praise, or recognition; I do my job for the kids, and I see and feel how grateful my students are for everything I do each and every day (and most parents show their appreciation as well-not saying they don’t)! But the parents that specifically showed their appreciation and gratitude towards me in those conferences….thank you. Your kind words thanking me for everything I am doing, sharing with me that your child is happy to be in my class, complimenting me on what you have heard from my lessons (sorry if my voice is squeaky and high pitched sometimes!)-all of it was a reminder I definitely needed that I’m doing alright and the extra effort to make the kids happy isn’t going unnoticed.
All of that is something I didn’t even realize I needed, but one specific conference was my inspiration for this post to show how grateful I am for all the appreciation and support from the parents. As a matter of fact, it was actually my last conference. The conference was full of general chit chat about the child and questions to follow. Right before the conference ended, this parent said to me, “I have one last question for you and then I will let you go, how are YOU doing?” I never thought one question could bring such joy and gratitude to my heart. Having someone ask how I was doing, when I have been so concerned with how everyone else is doing, meant more to me than this parent will probably ever know. This situation is tough on everyone in different ways, and at my home we are definitely making the most of it. But with what we considered normal before Covid-19 not happening right now, adjusting can take a toll after so long. Sometimes you just need to know that someone cares.
To all the parents out there that are supportive of everything we are doing as teachers, I appreciate that more than I can ever express. From the bottom of my heart…..
