We have all seen letters like the one my daughter received yesterday floating around the Internet. I really appreciate the teacher taking the time to send it and write the handwritten note at the bottom. I know my daughter did too.
However, I have to say it, in fact, I want to scream it…
WHY DO WE HAVE AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM THAT ADVOCATES FOR TESTING WHICH WORRIES MOST TEACHERS TO THE POINT THAT THEY FEEL THE NEED TO APOLOGISE TO OUR STUDENTS?
And, in addition to this…
WHY ARE WE NOT APOLOGISING TO OUR TEACHERS?
To my daughter’s teacher and all other teachers operating in this ‘back to basics’ system that is sucking the life out of our students,
Thank you for you letter home about NAPLAN. My daughter is unique and kind and clever and fast and both her and I appreciate the time you took to tell her. However, I tell her this everyday and I think it is more important that I tell you how unique you are because (and well this is just a guess from my experience as a teacher) I am pretty sure it is not something you hear every day.
So here I go….
This week your class will sit NAPLAN tests. Before they take these tests there is something very important I want you to know.
These tests do not assess all of what makes you an exceptional and unique teacher.
The people who score these tests don’t know how happy you make my daughter.
They don’t know that your warm personality and giant smile drive her to get out of bed in a morning with a giant leap.
These people do not know that you read my daughter’s Grug book with her last week even though you were busy.
They don’t know that you sing ‘Flowers by the Window’ as a transition between subjects to keep your students calm and happy,
And they don’t know that my daughter now sings that tune at home when she is cheerful.
These people do not know my daughter was speaking about atoms all the way to school on Monday.
These people do not know that your eyes welled up with tears when you spoke with me about how my daughter was feeling last term after her cousin lost his life.
These people do not know the concentration and concern you exhibited in our parent meeting to discuss my daughter’s specific learning needs.
These people do not know how often you adapt work for her every single day to make life easier.
These people do not know how much she has improved since entering your classroom.
These people do not know how much my daughter loves you or how much you love her.
These people do not know that you go home to a husband and a baby boy who needs you too.
These people do not know that you are caring and thoughtful and that every day you do your best, even when you feel like your best is not good enough.
They also don’t know the impact the teachers from her last three years of schooling have had on her personal growth and development as a human being and they never will.
(Oh and did I mention none of the parents who look at the My School website will know any of this either!)
The scores you get… no wait your students get… from the NAPLAN tests will tell you how they did on that day, not how well you teach. They cannot even begin to measure the difference you make each and every day. I cannot even express this in words.
So come to school this week and take a deep breathe as you pass out those exams. Smile gently at those students who will ask you to read a question that you are not allowed to read. Bless each one of them silently in your head as you walk around the room and as soon as it is time to put those pens down and pack up sing ‘Flowers by the Window’ with all of your heart. Then take those kids outside, let them run and play. Let them explore the world joyfully like I know you want them too. And at the end of the day share a quiet meal with your family, soak in a warm bath and hug your baby tight.
Remember, there is no way to ‘test’ all the wonderful things that make you, YOU! Nothing can possibly measure the complexity of being an outstanding, caring teacher. You are one in a million. Thank you for letting my flower grow!
With much love,
A parent who appreciates everything you do every day. X
However, I have to say it, in fact, I want to scream it…
WHY DO WE HAVE AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM THAT ADVOCATES FOR TESTING WHICH WORRIES MOST TEACHERS TO THE POINT THAT THEY FEEL THE NEED TO APOLOGISE TO OUR STUDENTS?
And, in addition to this…
WHY ARE WE NOT APOLOGISING TO OUR TEACHERS?
To my daughter’s teacher and all other teachers operating in this ‘back to basics’ system that is sucking the life out of our students,
Thank you for you letter home about NAPLAN. My daughter is unique and kind and clever and fast and both her and I appreciate the time you took to tell her. However, I tell her this everyday and I think it is more important that I tell you how unique you are because (and well this is just a guess from my experience as a teacher) I am pretty sure it is not something you hear every day.
So here I go….
This week your class will sit NAPLAN tests. Before they take these tests there is something very important I want you to know.
These tests do not assess all of what makes you an exceptional and unique teacher.
The people who score these tests don’t know how happy you make my daughter.
They don’t know that your warm personality and giant smile drive her to get out of bed in a morning with a giant leap.
These people do not know that you read my daughter’s Grug book with her last week even though you were busy.
They don’t know that you sing ‘Flowers by the Window’ as a transition between subjects to keep your students calm and happy,
And they don’t know that my daughter now sings that tune at home when she is cheerful.
These people do not know my daughter was speaking about atoms all the way to school on Monday.
These people do not know that your eyes welled up with tears when you spoke with me about how my daughter was feeling last term after her cousin lost his life.
These people do not know the concentration and concern you exhibited in our parent meeting to discuss my daughter’s specific learning needs.
These people do not know how often you adapt work for her every single day to make life easier.
These people do not know how much she has improved since entering your classroom.
These people do not know how much my daughter loves you or how much you love her.
These people do not know that you go home to a husband and a baby boy who needs you too.
These people do not know that you are caring and thoughtful and that every day you do your best, even when you feel like your best is not good enough.
They also don’t know the impact the teachers from her last three years of schooling have had on her personal growth and development as a human being and they never will.
(Oh and did I mention none of the parents who look at the My School website will know any of this either!)
The scores you get… no wait your students get… from the NAPLAN tests will tell you how they did on that day, not how well you teach. They cannot even begin to measure the difference you make each and every day. I cannot even express this in words.
So come to school this week and take a deep breathe as you pass out those exams. Smile gently at those students who will ask you to read a question that you are not allowed to read. Bless each one of them silently in your head as you walk around the room and as soon as it is time to put those pens down and pack up sing ‘Flowers by the Window’ with all of your heart. Then take those kids outside, let them run and play. Let them explore the world joyfully like I know you want them too. And at the end of the day share a quiet meal with your family, soak in a warm bath and hug your baby tight.
Remember, there is no way to ‘test’ all the wonderful things that make you, YOU! Nothing can possibly measure the complexity of being an outstanding, caring teacher. You are one in a million. Thank you for letting my flower grow!
With much love,
A parent who appreciates everything you do every day. X
"Wow look at us now
Flowers in the window
It's such a lovely day
And I'm glad you feel the same
Cause to stand up, out in the crowd
You are one in a million,
And I love you so
Lets watch the flowers grow
Wow look at you now
Flowers in the window
Its such a lovely day
And I'm glad you feel the same
Cause to stand up, out in the crowd
You are one in a million
And I love you so
Let's watch the flowers grow
Let's watch the flowers grow"
- Flowers in the Window by Travis
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