Teacher Trek Day 4: Open House

Today began with a wonderful devo from Pastor T. I always enjoy hearing him, and today was no exception. He spoke from 2 Peter 1:5ff – “Make every effort to add to your faith virtue, knowledge, etc.”  One of many points that emerged was a farming analogy that he adapted from Martyn Lloyd Jones. A man can be given plenty of fertile land, the very best farming implements, exceptional seed, and agricultural knowledge. But he does not become a farmer until he actually farms. He is not a farmer simply by association with the farm. Similarly, teachers can be given a wonderful venue, top notch curriculum, excellent technological resources, and a thorough education. However, the person standing in front of the class is not a teacher unless s/he actually teaches. By extended analogy, the person of faith will be characterized as such when s/he is adding virtue, knowledge, godliness, etc.

The afternoon focus was open house. For two hours, students and parents visited our rooms. Approximately 85% of my students dropped in, which is the best attendance I have seen for open house. I did observe that student enthusiasm declined with each of my questions:

1. Would you like the course materials list? Tepid smile.
2. Are you ready for school to start? Guilty nod.
3. Did you finish your summer assignment? Shifty eyes and palpable anxiety.

By the time the afternoon ends, I am thoroughly enjoying open house. Old students visit along with the new.

All sorts of parents come to open house. Some think it’s a conference, so they give a detailed history ranging as far back as potty training. For others, the visit is a formality, kind of like going next door to deliver cookies to the new neighbors. The “cookies” in this case are promises of “just call me if you need ANYTHING.” The parents with whom I most relate are the ones who come with their child to open house. As soon as they arrive, the child meets up with friends and leaves parents in the dust to fend for themselves.

Seriously, we have GREAT parents, and I do well by remembering that our school mission is to "glorify God by ASSISTING parents." I have had few (very few) disagreements with parents, and I realize they are never the enemy. A supportive parent is my single biggest ally. One of the benefits of teaching in the same school for several years (beginning 13) is that I have taught siblings or other relatives of this year’s class. We have become family.