This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
My Surprise was Sad
To say the least, this has been a very busy week. In addition to getting 10 students ready to attend the Fall Leadership Conference for HOSA in Jekyll Island, we were told in a staff meeting to call all parents (even though we are not the Home school) regarding absenteeism. Surprisingly, I had a parent tell me that her child had decided to move out of her house and in with a boyfriend but she was maintaining responsibility for this student. She was totally unaware of the absences and very hurt since she had spent a lot of money on her child for lab supplies and a car (of all things). The student is very attentive, interested, excited about the course, and participates enthusiastically whenever present. Initially I thought she would excel in this course and achieve certification. I was very disappointed to hear this news from her mother and additionally saddened to hear the mother’s account of her own struggles. It seems that the student was a result of a teenage pregnancy and the mother was only able to obtain a GED that has limited her in so many ways. She confided in me that she has struggled as result of this and wants so much more for her child. The entire conversation made me very sad both for the mother and the student.
Delores - I am glad to hear your principal has you calling parents about absences as parental contact is huge in getting problems solved with students. Hopefully the call was made while there was still time to salvage the semester.
ReplyDeleteI know there is not enough time in the day for everything teachers (especially NEW teachers) have to do, but the time spent calling parents is undoubtably one of best tools you have to change student behavior and guide them to success in your class. Remember that parents always want to help and most of the time do not know there is a problem as their child will usually not share classroom problems with them. A few minutes on the phone may do wonders, but always make it positive and share good things about their child as well. Invite them to your class! It's amazing what may happen.