This is amazing. I'm a lifelong educator and I agree with every word. Tip No. 2 in the Takeaway section is also profound and wide-ranging: "Talk to [your child] about everything. Ask her what she thinks. Tell her what you think and why." This is key, not only to your child's education but getting to know your child, and having a real relationship with her. It's true for all members of the family, for that matter. How rarely this this happens, both in classrooms and families!
I know. Writing this was really difficult because I constantly had this voice in my head saying -- this is what every ethical, caring teacher would love for parents to do, but our culture and the school system itself disincentivizes it.
This is amazing. I'm a lifelong educator and I agree with every word. Tip No. 2 in the Takeaway section is also profound and wide-ranging: "Talk to [your child] about everything. Ask her what she thinks. Tell her what you think and why." This is key, not only to your child's education but getting to know your child, and having a real relationship with her. It's true for all members of the family, for that matter. How rarely this this happens, both in classrooms and families!
I know. Writing this was really difficult because I constantly had this voice in my head saying -- this is what every ethical, caring teacher would love for parents to do, but our culture and the school system itself disincentivizes it.