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My sister Traci, a veteran first grade teacher recently turned reading specialist, argues that the most important teachers in a student’s life are his elementary school teachers. Afterall, they teach the all-important fundamentals (good ‘ole reading, writing and arithmetic) which are the foundation upon which successful future learning is built.
While I agree with the premise that elementary school teachers have an important role, I would argue that it’s pretty difficult to get a bad one. (My sister would kill me if she read this!) Kids this age are sponges—eager to absorb all they can. By their very nature, they are pre-programmed to love learning since for them school is still fun, new and exciting. (This attitude lasts until 6th grade or so.)
Still, parents like to discuss the reputations/merits of their kids’ educators. In my experience—I have four children, ages 6, 8, 10 and 12—the teachers who get a bad rap are usually the strict ones. At the small, public K through 4th (student population just 200) elementary school in suburban New Jersey where my kids attend, there are two teachers that parents consider “bad”. My children survived—and thrived—in the classrooms of both of them.
There are a couple of reasons for this. First of all, I find that the parents who complain are the ones who need the most coddling. They want to be reassured that their child is bright and well adjusted and look to the classroom teacher for constant confirmation. The two “bad” teachers at our school, are perfectly pleasant but don’t go out of their way catering to parents the way some of their colleagues do. Interestingly, these teachers are not unpopular with the kids. You know, the ones who spend 6 plus hours a day in their presence. To me, a telling characteristic.
What’s most important is that the learning gets accomplished, not that little Billy’s feeling were hurt when Mrs. So-and-So reprimanded him for interrupting her when he got chatty with his neighbor. In my opinion, learning classroom etiquette and proper respect for adults are valuable lessons, too.
Strict teachers often get a bad rap. Parents complain that the teacher isn’t nice; that she is too demanding or gives too much (or not enough) homework. Or even that little Billy is fearful of Mrs. So-and-So. I would argue that many children put forth their best effort in such an environment. They seem to rise to the occasion when much is expected and when those expectations are made clear.
If you disagree and feel at odds with an educator, here’s some expert advice from Rosie Young, Ed.D, principal of Watson Lane Elementary in Louisville, KY (Young is also former president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals):
“Children might have to undergo a period of adjustment particularly if the teacher is very different from teachers in the past,” Young explains. “Teachers who appear to be overly strict or very demanding may cause children to express unhappiness but I have found students to be resilient and adaptable in most cases.”
Finally, some very demanding teachers can impart a great deal of knowledge and learning in their classroom. “Most children will experience a wide variety of teachers during his/her school career,” Young points out. “The more he/she is able to adjust, the more likely the student will develop capacity to deal with different individuals later in life.”
