Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Onslaught of the parental units

Today is the first day of parent teacher interviews.

I think I'm going to die.

I have no idea why this freaks me out so much. Probably because I'm younger than all of my parents and I have no kids myself. Probably because this is my first time doing this and I feel like they're gong to see right through me and know how utterly and completely clueless I feel. Probably because I am too much of a sofite and worry that I won't be able to tell it like it is. "Uh, Mr and Mrs So-and-So, your child is way below grade level, doesn't pay attention in class, and takes and/or destroys other children's property. Oh yeah, and by the way, I know you do all your child's homework. It's not in the student's writing and there's no way your child could write like that. And by the way, you only got a C+ on your child's latest spelling assignment."

OK, so I wouldn't quite put it like that, but hey. But really, how do you tell a parent to stop doing their child's homework for them? Or that they need a psych assesment, and pronto?

Anyway, I have interviews today from 2:15 to 7:30 tonight, then again tomorrow from 2:15 till 5 or so. Friday is a Pro-D day, and I'm going to two different workshops in two different locations in the city. And I just got approval to go on Monday to do the training day for the best math program EVER (I'll have to post about that later), which is great, but it means that by Thursday, I need to have a day plan all ready to go for my sub on Monday. Ha! As IF I am that organized!

If you don't see a post by Saturday, you can just assume that my brain has exploded.

Wish me luck!

7 comments:

anne said...

I don't think I could ever be a full-time teacher...you have big props from me!

Queen Bee said...

Teachers are awesome, thanks for doing what you do, and doing it so well too!!

Robert W. said...

You'll do fine, young lady!! How many other teachers helped deliver computers to the poorer families of your school? Who has more energy and dedication than you?

You'll do fine!!!

Leaning Shanty Farm said...

I used to be a teacher. It was not for me. I hate to say that because that's all I ever wanted to be, but it's true. I salute your courage and willingness! You are a better woman than me. : )

I knew that if I stayed a teacher, I would turn into the kind that I always hated and swore I would never be: bitter, angry, etc. So I thought it was better to just not be a teacher at all than be a horrible one.

I remember my first parent teacher meeting. Almost peed myself. : ) I had the EXACT SAME feelings that you are having now. If went much better than I thought it would. But I'm a softie, too. I couldn't quite get the "You need to do this and watch this..." speech down the first time around. It comes in time!

God bless you and your patience!

Good Luck!

Anonymous said...

I'm sure you will do fine at the interviews. And if some of the parents start getting out of hand then send them to the principals office..

Anonymous said...

good luck!

Anonymous said...

hahaha... "Or that they need a psych assesment, and pronto?"

Try: Hi - Nice to meet you. Your child is psychotic. Psych Assessment + Pronto = Good things.

Just kidding! GOOD LUCK! You'll be great!!