At my job, our desks are inside cubicles that are about 6' high, so if people are talking you can hear most of their conversation. It's about 3pm, after most kids are home, one woman must have just gotten off the phone with her daughter. She says to the coworkers around her, "Are you kidding me? My daughter just said she has a project - she has to write a report, put together a bibliography, and even have a cover page!" Then a couple women around her began chiming in about their kids projects, remembering their own schooling, how so much homework was useless or pointless, etc. One lady said, "Oh, I remember one... we had to use ten pictures with our paper, too!"
Oh, the horror! Ten pictures, a report, a cover page, and a bibliography?
As if it weren't bad enough, one lady said how her boyfriend told her he would never get involved with another teacher because his ex-wife was one and he knew how "they" were.
It was so difficult for me to remain planted in my seat and not open my mouth, particularly after that comment. I'm still livid thinking about it. I might be working in an office and not considering teaching at the moment, but I certainly feel offended. And to think about how this woman probably will react in front of her daughter regarding the assignment is clearly going to influence how she feels about the project, her teacher, and education.
I thought working out would make me feel better, but nope -- still so angry!
And I bet when those kids get a poor grade for doing their work halfway, those parents are the first ones to call to complain. Yes, I thought homework was pointless as a kid too (most of them do), but I know that it's there to reinforce what is being taught at school. Besides, I like to remind students (and maybe those parents need reminding) that they are going to have to complete projects in high school, college, and possibly in the workforce depending on their career. There have been times I thought about leaving teaching because I was getting tired of dealing with parents (and I am a parent), but then my husband reminds me that a lot of adults in the "grown-up" world of the workplace complain and whine just as much.
ReplyDeleteThat would drive me nuts too Britt. It must have been extra frustrating because you know even if you HAD said anything, they would have never even come close to understanding. Ugh I can't stand how parents have just completely changed!! Education should be something everyone fights for, not complains about. And yeah you're right, that parent is going to negatively influence her daughter... pitting her more than she already is against the teacher and simple assignments. Sigh.
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