Speak up for your child!

We fight for everything under the sun.  We complain about what's fair and what isn't.  We boycott stores for different reasons.  We take our dollars to other stores because a cashier was rude or the lines are always too long.  We tell a manager if we don't like how we are treated. We send food back if it's not to our liking (well, I don't but I know people who do.) I think we behave this way because we know we have choices.

What really saddens me is when it comes to our kids and education most of us don't stand up.  We say things like, I don't want to say anything yet, I am sure the teacher knows, I don't want to be that parent. I don't want the teacher to take it out on my child. Truth of the matter is - teachers are human.  We make dumb mistakes sometimes that are not in the best interest of your child.  Sometimes we make decisions based on what is easier for us and not what is best for a child.  Sometimes we are just mean spirited teachers.  Yes, I said it.  Sometimes teachers are just mean.   Sometimes teachers are teaching a grade they don't really like.

Here are some times, I think as a teacher, a parent should speak up.
1. If it's the first of the year and the teacher is already talking to you about getting your child tested for ADD, ADHD etc. speak up!   Some children take longer to adjust to school, especially if they have been at home.  Personally, if a teacher asked me if my child had been in school before Kindergarten, I would have said, No, it's not required.  I would also ask the teacher what exactly is my child doing when the "ADD" behavior is coming out.
2.  If the teacher is talking to you about having your child tested because he/she isn't grasping things as quickly as some of the other kids, speak up!  Kids have the entire year.   I have had children who seemed to not be learning anything and then after Christmas, something magical would happen and they would start 'getting' it.
3. If a teacher wants your 3-5 year old to be tested for dyslexia, speak up! It is typical for children to reverse letters, numbers etc, through second grade. It's easier for a teacher when the children who require additional attention to leave the room.
4. If it's early in the year and the teacher is having difficulty getting your child to 'conform' or behave, speak up!  Of course work with the teacher but it's the teacher's job to teach your child and that includes school expectations.

We have limited choices when it comes to education.  We can home school, or put them in private school if we don't like the public school but most of us really don't have choices.  I am not saying complain about everything, but ask questions, try to ask enough questions to determine if the issue really is your child or the teacher.   And then, speak up!