Back to School – from a Teacher

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Written by KT @ One Organic Mama, Contributing Writer

I took this picture ^ at 7am in mid-July… when I woke up and just HAD to plan my classroom and the whole month of September…  

If back to school for your family includes buses, supply lists, lunch boxes, and letters from your children’s teachers, then this post is for you! If back to school includes homeschool curriculum, beautiful bookshelves with organized bins of supplies, and your dinning room table, you already know what I’m about to tell you 🙂 Like all homeschool teachers, I am a teacher too.  

I have been teaching history and humanities in high school for 10 years. Although I might have more students every year than those of you who homeschool – I think you can agree with most of these back to school tips about this new school year 🙂 – Last year I wrote to you as a mom, this year, I’m coming to you with my tips as a teacher! 

Here are my Top 5 Back to School Tips – as a teacher! 

This is how I would like to relate with my student’s parents, and am sure most of your child’s teachers feel the same way. 

1.  I want to hear from you!  

I want you to email me if your son had a rough morning getting ready for school or your daughter had a great softball game last night, and let me know!  I would love to check in with your kids and get back to you about how they are making it through the day.  Email me, call me, and I promise I will listen, read it, and as soon as I have a minute get back to you!  You know your kids better than I do – help me know them as the complex people they are so I can serve you and them better and more completely.

2.  I want you to hear from me!  

Sometimes teachers get a reputation for only ever sharing bad news, poor grades, and behavior that needs improvement.  I have made it my mission to share good news, once a week, every week, with some of my parents, a few each week.  I will shoot off a quick email about a great response your son had, a well written essay from your daughter, or a picture of your student from a mock trial we ran in class.  Just because you don’t hear from me doesn’t mean great stuff it isn’t happening – but please send me an email to check in – and I will let you know what fun your kids are having in class.

3.  I know, the supply lists are crazy.  

10 years ago I was given a $200 budget for classroom supplies.  This past year it was closer to $10.  I have 125 students.  I promise to only list what we need to encourage a healthy, love of learning, and address diversity of teaching and learning styles.  Will you promise me something?  If the list is too much for your family, please let me know.  No one in my classroom will go without, be embarrassed, or suffer because they can’t provide supplies.  Please let me know! 

4. I’ve been waiting!  

All summer, in between summer camps for my kids, and creating a superhero bedroom for them, I have been reading, writing, studying, re-working curriculum, tweeting to last year’s students about current events, creating fun activities, planning my bulletin boards, essay prompts, and collaborating with my fellow colleagues.  I promise to be excited about learning this year – can you join me?  I think our positive attitude can help our students develop the same eagerness to learn that we have!

5.  We’re on the same team!  

If your goal is to develop and nurture life long learning and curiosity within your children – let’s team up!  That’s my goal too.  I know sometimes our vision of that might be different – but if it ever seems like our classroom and homework activities aren’t doing that – ASK – please – I am happy to explain what we are doing and why.  If it’s not working for you or your family – there are LOTS of different options and I am happy to individualize and find something that matches your needs.   

Good luck to you all this year no matter where your classroom is.  I know I can’t wait! 

What does back to school look like for you?  What are your suggestions for others?

About KT

Kristin is a mom to two busy boys, a wife to a hardworking husband, and a high school teacher.  She also co-founded the non-profit organization, Kai's Village in memory of the sweetest, bravest two year old with the strongest mama in the world. She loves cooking with fresh local ingredients, gardening, creating fun lessons at home and at school, and sneaking take out with her husband after the kids are in bed. You can find her at One Organic Mama or on Facebook or at the closest Starbucks.