What teachers really want to tell parents.

[DrPhil]

This is what we were responding to:

Originally Posted by article

One of my biggest pet peeves is when I tell a mom something her son did and she turns, looks at him and asks, "Is that true?" Well, of course it's true. I just told you. And please don't ask whether a classmate can confirm what happened or whether another teacher might have been present. It only demeans teachers and weakens the partnership between teacher and parent.

I disagree with this.

I also partially disagree with:

Originally Posted by article

If we give you advice, don't fight it. Take it, and digest it in the same way you would consider advice from a doctor or lawyer.

This teacher needs to remember that he/she is talking to adults and not to children. And some of the parents that he/she is talking to are also educators/teachers/professors. In that sense, it is absolutely fine to respectfully disagree, have an actual discussion, or request clarification. It is the same thing that I would do with an attorney and a doctor, especially if I am familiar with the topic. Again, that is what adults do.