Recently, I received an invitation to join a new local Facebook group. Intrigued, I clicked on it only to discover that it was created to rally against the public school district, demanding full-time, pre-pandemic school hours for all students amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The posts were filled with complaints, liberal-bashing memes, and selective virus statistics from local news outlets. After skimming through a few rants, I quickly declined the invitation. I simply don’t have the energy for that. Many of my friends and family are educators, and they are utterly exhausted. With three months still left in the school year, they aren’t just facing the usual mid-year burnout; they are being pushed to their limits by demanding parents. It’s clear to me that parents need to ease up, not intensify their demands.
The pandemic has undeniably highlighted the flaws in our education system. Wealthy parents are finally becoming aware of issues that many have recognized for years. This isn’t a critique of teachers, who are also navigating the challenges imposed by administrators and policymakers. However, I firmly believe, based on the experiences shared by my educator friends and family, that now is not the time for blame or complaints.
I still remember a family member joking that because I was a teacher, I had the perfect schedule. They thought I enjoyed summers, weekends, and holidays off. I couldn’t help but laugh. As a college educator, I actually worked more during the summer, preparing for upcoming classes. Evenings were consumed with grading and responding to students. Weekends were no different. Now, teachers are not only working around the clock but doing so under the pressure of masks and social distancing while dealing with increasingly demanding and, at times, abusive parents.
A veteran teacher, Alex Reed, shared with Today.com, “Suddenly we’re labeled as lazy, as if we want to stay home and don’t know what’s best for kids. I agree that students thrive in school, but there were legitimate concerns about health and safety. Yet, we’ve been criticized.”
Currently, teachers are juggling constant schedule changes, pandemic protocols, and many are also managing their own children’s schooling. A friend of mine had a principal who wouldn’t allow her to work from home because he felt he couldn’t monitor her effectively. A week later, after following all health guidelines, she tested positive for COVID-19, having contracted it at school. Meanwhile, her inbox overflowed with complaints from parents about their children’s progress.
One teacher I know was teaching remotely from her classroom but had to take three weeks off when her child was exposed to the virus. She had to balance her own children’s remote learning while managing thirty students online. And yes, she is married to another teacher.
Entitled parents are demanding to know how their kids will “catch up” and why their child isn’t achieving straight As. Some friends of mine, who are not educators, are lamenting about the lack of video instruction and have had to supplement their kids’ education themselves (gasp).
Instead of attacking teachers, perhaps it would be more productive to buy them a coffee gift card or ask if there are students lacking the technology needed for remote learning and organize a campaign to help. You could also volunteer your time to assist with meal distribution for low-income children who might otherwise go without meals.
Teachers didn’t choose this pandemic, and they’re suffering alongside everyone else—often more so. They’re responsible for a classroom of students, not just their own kids. Every teacher I know works tirelessly for their students’ success, not just academically, but also in terms of their physical and emotional wellbeing.
I worry that as we navigate through this pandemic, we may lose many dedicated teachers who reach their breaking point. While they may seem superhuman, they are human, with feelings and limits. If we continue to pressure them, we risk causing our already fragile education system to collapse.
Parents, it’s time to take a step back. If a school concern isn’t critical, let it go or approach it calmly. We shouldn’t spend our energy criticizing teachers who are already facing unprecedented challenges. Being an educator is one of the toughest jobs, made even harder by the pandemic. Let’s acknowledge that we’re all in this together and support our teachers, which in turn supports our children.
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Summary:
The article expresses frustration over parents criticizing teachers during the pandemic. It highlights the challenges educators face while managing their own families and the added pressures from demanding parents. The author advocates for supporting teachers rather than adding to their burdens, emphasizing collective responsibility during these difficult times.
Keyphrase: Parents Supporting Teachers During Pandemic
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