Parents & Teachers, The Frontline of Society

Over the years of working in education, you begin to see the deeper side of it. The labels begin to be removed and you see students as themselves. A lot of times, we as adults attempt to dump our assumptions onto them. We fail to see that they are not us.

What I notice is that a lot of the things I tell my students, are areas I need to work on myself. You ever yell at a kid for not cleaning their room, missing an assignment, talking back? When you go to your job you get yell at for showing up late, not making the sale, talking in unprofessional manners? Sounds similar?

We have to hold our students to high standards, but we also have to make sure we are listening to them. When we feel that they are disrespecting us, let's take a step back and teach. Consequences are natural and come our way, yet we have to be conscious in how we are speaking and responding to their actions. While preparing them for life after school, we have to build up to be critical thinkers, goal-oriented people, and individuals that are going to contribute to society.

Teaching is not an easy job, and it has taught me a lot. It has taught me how to state clear and concise directions. How to control direction and flow of the day. Also, how to navigate the emotions and push students forward throughout the day and year. Above all it has been teaching me the importance of patience. We so desperately as teachers and parents want our kids to get it. However, learning and growing is a process. One day we are laughing with them, the next day we are close to blows.

Through being advocates for our students, schools and communities, remember you have a voice. When things are not lining up, do not be afraid to speak up. What I have seen on the contrast is individuals that do not care until it is near the end. When kids are failing, or chaos is breaking out. However, at the start of the year some people prefer the sideline rather than stepping into the game. I went to a town hall meeting once and I quickly found out how uninvolved I have been. What inspired me most was the passion of parents and students speaking on behalf of their education. One could view this as a bunch of angry black folk. However, what I seen was oil that has been dried. An oil that these people have pour and a board that was not stand true to what they said they would. I did not know much of the background of the meeting, but I will remember how they stood as a village on one accord.

You see when we build our students up, they will have voices. Do not wait until the conferences to show up. Go to the town meetings with your child, make block clubs, revive your community. They are viewing us as leaders and our goal is grow up into that.

Just like a flower needs time to grow, so do our students. Day by day, not giving up on them even when they make our hair fall our or turn a premature gray. Parents and teachers need to be given their flowers for the work they put in day by day, as being part of the frontline of society. While we are on the lines leading these children, don't forget this one thing.

Drink coffee, have some wine, get some rest, and go treat yourself to a spa day. Some heroes wear invisible capes, going unseen but still putting in the work day-by-day. The kids need us. You might get tried, even flat our frustrated. But above all do not give up on our babies.