Once upon a time, before my life revolved around constructing Lego masterpieces, building forts, and belting out Taylor Swift tunes (often off-key) in the kitchen with my children, I was an educator. My days were once filled with reading groups, writing workshops, math stations, and leading singing sessions with “my” students on the Circle Rug.
I taught kindergarten and cherished every moment of it. Although I was youthful, idealistic, and somewhat naive, I excelled as a teacher. Without children of my own, I devoted all my energy to my classroom, lesson plans, and students. However, looking back, I realize that if I were to return to teaching now, I would undoubtedly be a more effective educator.
Now as a mother, my perspective on education has shifted. I see schooling through the eyes of my own children and as a former teacher who interacted with my students’ families each day. If I were to step back into the classroom, it wouldn’t necessarily be about refining my lesson plans or instructional methods but rather about recognizing each child as someone’s beloved little one. This insight would change everything.
Here are some changes I would implement if I were teaching today:
Enhanced Communication with Parents
In my teaching days, I sent out weekly newsletters on Fridays, concluding with a reminder: “Feel free to call or email anytime!” I thought that was adequate communication. I was mistaken. As a parent, school often feels like an enigma. I greet my children with a barrage of questions about their day: What did you do at Choice Time? Who did you sit with at lunch? What stories did you write? Did you feel comfortable?
If I were teaching now, I would send daily emails that highlight the day’s events and provide conversation starters for families to discuss with their children. I would create a Facebook group for parents to foster connections, which could help build friendships among the students. I would even send pictures and videos (with parental consent, of course) to showcase their children engaged in learning and play.
Acknowledging Children’s Emotions
I understood that small issues can feel monumental to young children, but I truly comprehended this only after becoming a parent. My kids have returned home with heavy hearts, having endured a tough day at school, wishing I could have been there for a reassuring hug. As a teacher, I often dismissed a child’s worries as trivial, thinking, “If no one is hurt, let’s move on to Math Centers!”
If I were a teacher today, I would be attentive to my students’ concerns and emotions. I would respect their feelings and actively seek ways to support them, offering plenty of quick hugs and encouragement when needed.
Prioritizing Hygiene
This may seem obvious, but during my teaching days, I didn’t always enforce handwashing after recess. We typically washed our hands before snack and lunch, but there were times when I resorted to hand sanitizer due to time constraints. As a mother, I’ve witnessed how dirty my kids’ hands can get, and I can only imagine the state of their hands at school.
Ensuring Lunch is Eaten
I would also make it a priority to ensure my students had the opportunity to eat their lunches. In my teaching days, I often dropped my students off in the cafeteria without checking what they had left behind in their lunch boxes. Too often, my child has come home with a full lunchbox, claiming they “didn’t have time” to eat. The lunchroom can be overwhelming, and some children may struggle to eat in such a chaotic environment.
If I were teaching now, I would monitor the cafeteria closely to ensure all students had enough time to eat. I would also offer any who missed lunch a chance to finish their meal back in the classroom.
Compassion for Families
As a teacher, I witnessed many of my students carry heavy burdens from home. Many of my students came from low-income backgrounds, facing significant challenges. In hindsight, I sometimes misjudged their parents, thinking they didn’t value their children’s education or well-being.
Now that I’m a parent, I recognize the immense challenges many families face. I have a newfound respect for those parents who, despite overwhelming obstacles, manage to send their children to school each day.
Keeping Promises
Children possess remarkable memories and strong senses of justice. I learned this as a teacher, but it became even more evident after becoming a parent. Making promises to children and failing to follow through can lead to feelings of betrayal.
If I were teaching today, I would ensure that I kept my commitments to students, whether it was allowing them to perform a play for the class or bringing in something special to share.
Teaching is a demanding profession, and I acknowledge that not every day will go perfectly. Mistakes will occur, and opportunities may be missed. Nonetheless, I would always remember that each student in my class is someone’s child. If I were teaching today, I would treat them with the same care and attention that I would want for my own children.
In summary, motherhood has profoundly reshaped my approach to teaching. By prioritizing communication with parents, acknowledging children’s emotional needs, ensuring hygiene and nourishment, showing compassion for families, and upholding promises, I would strive to create a nurturing environment for all students.
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Keyphrase: How motherhood transformed my teaching approach
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