Most people agree that education is important, especially for young people. However, despite their critical role, teachers are often overworked and underpaid.
Many enter teaching because they are excited to help shape the next generation. But, more teachers today are leaving the field feeling burned out. They face many challenges, and some blame parents for these struggles. A retired teacher, Lisa Roberson, wrote an opinion piece in 2017, which has since gone viral. She argues that parents are part of the problem.
Roberson explains that parents are not preparing their children for school. She mentions how some children arrive at school with expensive clothes but lack basic supplies like pencils and paper. Teachers often have to provide these items themselves, even spending their own money. She believes that the problem lies not with the schools, but with the parents. Do parents attend meetings or stay in touch with teachers? Are they ensuring their children come to school ready to learn?
She goes on to say that teachers can’t do everything on their own. “Teachers cannot do their jobs and the parents’ job,” Roberson says. Until parents take responsibility, she believes the situation won’t improve.
Ideally, teachers and parents would work together for the benefit of the child. But the relationship between them has become more difficult, especially after the pandemic. During lockdowns, parents had to monitor their children’s education more closely. This led to debates over various political issues, which often made things harder.
Despite these challenges, both parents and teachers have the same goal: to give children a solid education. Teachers must help motivate students, and parents must make sure their children are ready to learn. Unfortunately, some parents are either too involved or not involved enough. This can lead to problems in the classroom.
As we move forward, it’s clear that relationships matter. Teachers who connect with their students have fewer behavior problems, and students who feel safe and cared for perform better.
