Politically Correct

I've always had a tough time at being that "politically correct" person and saying things appropriately versus just spitting out what's on my mind without the use of a filter. With close friends it's easy to NOT use my filter, because I'm in a comfortable enviroment and they would expect no less (at least, that's what I'm hoping). Over time a relationship has been established. I suppose even in a well established relationship I can open-mouth-and-insert-foot, but that's who I am. I'd like to say that it should be easy for me to speak my mind and be myself whenever, but that's not the case. So, I suppose, I CAN use my filter when I REALLY need to, although I really don't enjoy being NOT ME. One case in particular is during parent-teacher conferences.

I've witnessed my first round of parent-teacher conferneces and going into the conferences I was excited, nervous and purely anxious to see deeper into the roots of where my students have come from. I enjoy having that open communication with the parents, but honestly with today's society it's down right challenging for me to have that continious open communication...and then when all is not going as I would like it to...I want to scream at parents. In my perfect little world, my little bubble, it would be outstanding if every student could go home to "Mrs. Cleaver" with an apron on, homemade cookies fresh from the oven and a glass of milk sitting on the table for snack, and an eager mom ready to sit down with their son/daughter to help them with homework. Then once homework is finished, my students could go play softball in the streets, build forts in the neighborhood forest nearby, and ride bikes off sweet jumps. Shortly "Mr. Cleaver" comes home from work, hugs "Mrs. Cleaver" and the entire family sits down at the table for dinner. Oh-wait. My bubble has been popped.

What has happened to the value of family, the value of relationships, and the value of our education? (Oh my goodness, these could all be three separate posts where I would open-mouth-insert-foot.) Who cares if so-and-so is skilled at soccer, into theater, shopping at Abercrombie and has an I-phone (Seriously? A 12 year old does not need an I-phone!). Seriously, we don't need to be keeping up with the Joneses, unless they are like the Cleavers, of course. What about reading, writing and math? What about family time? What about a sit-down-family dinner? What about making sure your child is successful in their education? Have parents checked to see if homework is finished? I can't tell a parent that their child is failing because it's their fault. Oh how I would love to, but I can't do it. That's not being "politically correct", or shall I say "political". However, OF COURSE it will be my fault when a student is failing, but if only parents could see that I can't make a student successful all by myself. Due to the pressures of society, as a teacher I HAVE to have that support at home. I can't do it alone.

More than anything I want ALL my students to be successful. I want all my students to understand that it's okay to fail and learn from their mistakes. I yearn for my students to see achievement in their own works. I want honest and valuable support from students' home life. I want to wave my wand and make all my students' worries go away so they can be great students and have fun being kids (because they don't know how to anymore). I would love for parents to slow down, take a step back and just take that extra time to spend with their kids (preferably not in front of a t.v. or game console of some sort).

Like I said, my bubble has been popped. I have entered into a profession where I have to be politically correct. I enjoy the challenges and rewards of conferences (even though they are emotionally exhausting) and I will continue to strive to be the best teacher that I can be.