What can I do to support my kid's teacher?
January 9, 2022 5:10 PM Subscribe
School closed for a week because of covid-related staffing issues, and is theoretically reopening tomorrow. The teachers are clearly completely fried from 2 years of pandemic and being persistently understaffed even in non-plague times, and they've just been told that while they're teaching in person, they have to provide a full day of virtual material for any kids who are in quarantine or isolation. Teachers of Metafilter, what can we do to help?
Assume we are already doing the following:
-Doing our part to prevent infection: limiting our own contacts, everyone in the house is vaxed, fastidiously keeping our kid home at the slightest symptom, testing frequently, making sure kid has high-quality well-fitting mask and she actually wears it at school
-Buying classroom hygiene stuff from the Amazon wishlist
-Saying thank you a lot and generally giving everyone the benefit of the doubt
There must be something else the teachers need that I can provide, right? If I thought anyone wanted to remove their mask in a group setting, I'd send a box of pastries to the break room. If it seemed appropriate for first grade, I'd send in a bottle of wine. So, what is the gift that says "Thank you for nurturing my child, sorry about the failed state?"
Assume we are already doing the following:
-Doing our part to prevent infection: limiting our own contacts, everyone in the house is vaxed, fastidiously keeping our kid home at the slightest symptom, testing frequently, making sure kid has high-quality well-fitting mask and she actually wears it at school
-Buying classroom hygiene stuff from the Amazon wishlist
-Saying thank you a lot and generally giving everyone the benefit of the doubt
There must be something else the teachers need that I can provide, right? If I thought anyone wanted to remove their mask in a group setting, I'd send a box of pastries to the break room. If it seemed appropriate for first grade, I'd send in a bottle of wine. So, what is the gift that says "Thank you for nurturing my child, sorry about the failed state?"
Once a month I summarize something great my kids’ teachers have done (not hard to find!” and email them to thank them - cc’ing the principal, superintendent, trustee, and Minister of Education.
posted by warriorqueen at 5:24 PM on January 9, 2022 [30 favorites]
posted by warriorqueen at 5:24 PM on January 9, 2022 [30 favorites]
Maybe foodstuffs that come individually wrapped and can be eaten privately at home? Does the school ask for donations for, I dunno, art supplies, things like that?
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:38 PM on January 9, 2022
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:38 PM on January 9, 2022
Donate to the political wing of their union.
posted by furnace.heart at 5:51 PM on January 9, 2022 [15 favorites]
posted by furnace.heart at 5:51 PM on January 9, 2022 [15 favorites]
We have an organized parents' group that has been working directly with teachers to find out their concerns and to then put community pressure on the school board/school leadership (when needed). We skip a lot of the "he said/she said" of leadership claiming things that are not reflecting the experience in the school. It's allowed a lot close collaboration and for parents to step up where parental support is most helpful. (Our group is organized on facebook.)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:55 PM on January 9, 2022 [14 favorites]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:55 PM on January 9, 2022 [14 favorites]
The most meaningful thing you can do for an individual teacher is to notice their efforts: a thank you note or an email make a huge difference. Something written demonstrates foresight and intention, compared to a conversation that covers the same ground. It's extra nice to send copies to the principal or higher-ups (if you know who they are). Baked goods are always nice. One of the best gifts I've received recently was a personalized heavy-duty totebag. I'm sure your district has some sort of nomination for an educator of the year; taking the time to nominate your teacher is also thoughtful.
Almost all the problems teachers face are structural -- so some of the most meaningful, impactful efforts you can make are to participate in local school board meetings. Make your voice and priorities known to the board, often and loudly. It's quite possible that your local school board members have gotten death threats this year, so a public comment in support of various actions will be deeply appreciated. Whatever the covid choices of your district, call in to voice your thoughts on covid protocols and that you support greater resources going directly into classrooms and classroom-level staff. Talk about how great your kid's teacher is and how you see the amount of work they've put in... and that you want to see the board support teachers during their upcoming negotiations cycle. (They are usually in spring, though possibly not every year.) It's likely your district has some sort of call in public comment feature these days, saving you from even having to attend the meetings.
posted by lilac girl at 5:57 PM on January 9, 2022 [7 favorites]
Almost all the problems teachers face are structural -- so some of the most meaningful, impactful efforts you can make are to participate in local school board meetings. Make your voice and priorities known to the board, often and loudly. It's quite possible that your local school board members have gotten death threats this year, so a public comment in support of various actions will be deeply appreciated. Whatever the covid choices of your district, call in to voice your thoughts on covid protocols and that you support greater resources going directly into classrooms and classroom-level staff. Talk about how great your kid's teacher is and how you see the amount of work they've put in... and that you want to see the board support teachers during their upcoming negotiations cycle. (They are usually in spring, though possibly not every year.) It's likely your district has some sort of call in public comment feature these days, saving you from even having to attend the meetings.
posted by lilac girl at 5:57 PM on January 9, 2022 [7 favorites]
Seconding all of the above, especially everything political. I would add:
- Come to board meetings (virtually!) and during public comment be effusively grateful and tell the board how hard teachers are working
- If there's an election on the horizon, start cultivating good board members (or run for school board??)
- Buy good masks for teachers, if that's something they want
- Stand up for us in public, whether that's on social media or in person, to other parents and the broader community. People hate us right now and it's so exhausting on top of everything else.
- If you or anyone you know isn't working full time, get a sub license. Literally nothing would be more helpful for us than bodies in the building.
posted by goodbyewaffles at 5:58 PM on January 9, 2022 [15 favorites]
- Come to board meetings (virtually!) and during public comment be effusively grateful and tell the board how hard teachers are working
- If there's an election on the horizon, start cultivating good board members (or run for school board??)
- Buy good masks for teachers, if that's something they want
- Stand up for us in public, whether that's on social media or in person, to other parents and the broader community. People hate us right now and it's so exhausting on top of everything else.
- If you or anyone you know isn't working full time, get a sub license. Literally nothing would be more helpful for us than bodies in the building.
posted by goodbyewaffles at 5:58 PM on January 9, 2022 [15 favorites]
One of the biggest challenges for teachers now is that they feel like there is this huge divide between them and the community. My roommate is a public school teacher and she said that this Vox article sums things up nicely. Attend PTA meetings, town halls, etc., and voice your support for the teachers. I have heard what some of the parents have said at these meetings and it's awful! When you hear other parents say negative things about teachers (in person or online), speak up.
posted by radioamy at 6:02 PM on January 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by radioamy at 6:02 PM on January 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
I think... any of the above. I would love ANY of the above things. I teach middle school and got three Christmas presents from kids this year (chocolate, an ornament and a small gift card) and I was THRILLED by each of them. I think a bottle of wine with a note that says "Thank you for nurturing my child, sorry about the failed state" sounds like an amazing present... and I don't even like wine! Standing up for teachers would be great. Writing a nice note would be great. Sending food would be great. Buying something for the classroom would be great.
I think the most important thing is to do SOMETHING. Let your kid's teacher know that you know it's a hard time, and that you appreciate what they're doing. They will be touched.
posted by MangoNews at 6:28 PM on January 9, 2022 [10 favorites]
I think the most important thing is to do SOMETHING. Let your kid's teacher know that you know it's a hard time, and that you appreciate what they're doing. They will be touched.
posted by MangoNews at 6:28 PM on January 9, 2022 [10 favorites]
Different schools have different rules, but at mine I can accept gifts up to $50 in value and there’s nothing I appreciated more this year than the parents who tucked a $50 bill in a Christmas card.
If you can’t give cash, I also always love getting food, flowers, and Starbucks gift cards.
posted by nancynickerson at 6:29 PM on January 9, 2022 [10 favorites]
If you can’t give cash, I also always love getting food, flowers, and Starbucks gift cards.
posted by nancynickerson at 6:29 PM on January 9, 2022 [10 favorites]
This message was recently posted to Facebook by a local school principal. I think it is spot-on, and it includes some things I wouldn't have thought of.
I have been getting an increasing number of PM’s from friends asking how they can help their child’s teacher / school right now. First, the fact that you’re asking is wonderful. Thank you for seeing how hard teachers are working right now. I reviewed the answers I’ve been giving as the year has evolved and am consolidating them here.posted by alms at 6:39 PM on January 9, 2022 [15 favorites]
1. Send a kind note with *specific* things you appreciate about your child’s teacher. (And, if you can, support your child in doing the same.) This year pretty much nothing about what teachers are doing feels satisfying in the way it normally would. They are truly swimming upstream, and sometimes the current is so fast that it’s hard to notice the progress. A word of thanks for specific things really helps teachers see that they are making a difference. (And don’t forget art, music, PE, world language, and specialist teachers! They are often overlooked and they teach more kids than anyone else!)
2. Keep sick kids home. I know that’s obvious but not everyone is doing it. We are used to sniffles and stomach aches but this year they feel scary! No one wants to ask you to interrupt your life and keep a sick kid home. But this year, it’s a necessity.
3. Make sure your kid has a high quality, well fit mask, that they KNOW the expectation is to wear it properly, and ask your child’s teacher to let you know if your kid requires reminders. It’s exhausting being the mask police. Knowing you are standing ready to be back up at home is HUGE for teachers right now.
4. Volunteer at your child’s school (if that is allowed). Especially for recess and lunch duty. Kids have the most conflict during this unstructured time, and these times are also the hardest to staff during major absence days (aka every day right now). If we swarm lunch and recess with adults who can engage the kids, less conflict happens, which makes the after lunch classroom time much more pleasant.
5. Ask your child’s teacher what they need. This is a big one. It’s probably been hard to build relationships with teachers this year. Teachers miss those parental relationships too! My favorite email this year simply asked “Red, white, or both?” I can’t tell you how hard I laughed and how much I NEEDED that laugh. Ask your child’s teacher what would make their day easier / better / more joyful.
Finally, and this is sad to write. Please remind your kids of your expectation about their behavior outside of your home. I hope you’ve taught your kids to clean up after themselves, to notice what needs to be done and be helpful, to say please and thank you, to offer compliments, and to be kind even when others aren’t. Kids need a reminder of all of this right now. They are picking up on the stress and tension in the country and it’s coming out in their behavior. A reminder to “go high” when much of the world is going low will help kids see how important their own attitude is in their community.
Thank you to ALL of my friends who are asking how to support schools. And a HUGE SHOUT OUT to educators who are making the days *look* easy for kids. Your incredible work is seen. You matter. You are doing a FANTASTIC job in unprecedented circumstances and l am so grateful to know that we are weathering this storm TOGETHER. Keep loving these kids the way you do. The rest of it will work itself out.
A lot of wonderful suggestions so far in this thread. As a teacher, I will add that unless your child's school is very well-resourced, there is almost always some not so glamorous things in the classroom that could use replacing. Here is a sampling, as a guide to what you could ask your teacher about:
-staplers (mine jam constantly)
-broom and dustpan
-printer
-markers
-origami paper and construction paper
-white board markers
-books that have been read so many times the cover is coming off
posted by mai at 6:46 PM on January 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
-staplers (mine jam constantly)
-broom and dustpan
-printer
-markers
-origami paper and construction paper
-white board markers
-books that have been read so many times the cover is coming off
posted by mai at 6:46 PM on January 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
It sounds like you are thoughtful and raising a thoughtful kid, which is the best thing! Here are some physical items should you be interested:
- A note of appreciation by you and/or your kid, sent directly to the teacher or cc: to their supervisor; general is great but the more specific, the better!
- A gift card to Starbucks ($20 or less)
- Fun school supplies for the teacher (washi tape, nice pens, etc.) or classroom (dry erase markers, plant, etc.)
Join the PTA (our parents are amazing!), advocate for teachers at school board meetings, in the community, etc. As a teacher, I thank you for being so considerate!
posted by smorgasbord at 9:02 PM on January 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
- A note of appreciation by you and/or your kid, sent directly to the teacher or cc: to their supervisor; general is great but the more specific, the better!
- A gift card to Starbucks ($20 or less)
- Fun school supplies for the teacher (washi tape, nice pens, etc.) or classroom (dry erase markers, plant, etc.)
Join the PTA (our parents are amazing!), advocate for teachers at school board meetings, in the community, etc. As a teacher, I thank you for being so considerate!
posted by smorgasbord at 9:02 PM on January 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
The thing I want most is for parents/guardians to help their kids with keeping on top of their assignments, keeping a calendar, keeping organized, tracking missing or absent work, etc, even at the high school level. As a teacher with ADHD, it is so hard to keep myself and over 150 students organized and on top of our work. We are struggling.
Vocal support for wearing masks. The majority of the students AND teachers here aren't wearing masks. We're starting to see more absences in the last few days. :(
Adding to mai's list:
pencils, pens, notebook paper, batteries, dry erase markers, and Flair pens. :)
posted by rakaidan at 9:04 PM on January 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
Vocal support for wearing masks. The majority of the students AND teachers here aren't wearing masks. We're starting to see more absences in the last few days. :(
Adding to mai's list:
pencils, pens, notebook paper, batteries, dry erase markers, and Flair pens. :)
posted by rakaidan at 9:04 PM on January 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
lilac girl: Almost all the problems teachers face are structural ...
Totally this, but also they still are people -- so I try to go both ways!
I have written to the Superintendent, principals, and school board to thank them for the sane measures they have in place...and to encourage them to ignore the loonies. I have shown up at (virtual) public meetings to stick up for a teacher who was getting the shaft.
REMEMBER: THE CRAZY PEOPLE CALL AND VOTE AND EMAIL AND SHOW UP, AND THEY NEED TO BE COUNTERED BY THE REST OF US. A "silent majority" is useless.
More personally, I have emailed teachers directly, telling them how I see my child changing for the good under their care. When I know them on social media (because this isn't a big town), I support them there. I try to be a good friend/neighbor when I see them outside of class.
And I remind my kids that their teachers are just people trying hard, in a bad system, during insane times.
posted by wenestvedt at 5:42 AM on January 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
Totally this, but also they still are people -- so I try to go both ways!
I have written to the Superintendent, principals, and school board to thank them for the sane measures they have in place...and to encourage them to ignore the loonies. I have shown up at (virtual) public meetings to stick up for a teacher who was getting the shaft.
REMEMBER: THE CRAZY PEOPLE CALL AND VOTE AND EMAIL AND SHOW UP, AND THEY NEED TO BE COUNTERED BY THE REST OF US. A "silent majority" is useless.
More personally, I have emailed teachers directly, telling them how I see my child changing for the good under their care. When I know them on social media (because this isn't a big town), I support them there. I try to be a good friend/neighbor when I see them outside of class.
And I remind my kids that their teachers are just people trying hard, in a bad system, during insane times.
posted by wenestvedt at 5:42 AM on January 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by vegartanipla at 5:18 PM on January 9, 2022 [22 favorites]