A retired teacher didn’t hold any punches in a very serious, direct letter she wrote to parents. It’s being honored and praised by thousands of viewers with many of them saying the last line of the letter is spot on. The real question is, do you agree with what she said?
Lisa Roberson, a retired teacher, made headlines once she chose to write a letter concerning the atmosphere in today’s public school classroom. Of course, there are so many people who have an opinion about things like the public school system, childcare, and education, but this teacher really made waves as she spoke from years of experience.
Many like to question why so many American students seem to be falling behind the education of other nations, this retired teacher penned her letter and submitted it to her local newspaper, which printed her opinion in black and white. The former teacher’s words had no grey area in it at all, as Lisa blatantly put it all on the line, calling out what she believes is the real problem behind failing students.
“As a retired teacher, I am sick of people who know nothing about public schools or have not been in a classroom recently deciding how to fix our education system,” Lisa Roberson wrote. Then, she got to what she believes is the root of the issue. “The teachers are not the problem! Parents are the problem! They are not teaching their children manners, respect or even general knowledge of how to get along with others,” she boldly declared.
“The children come to school in shoes that cost more than the teacher’s entire outfit, but [the kids] have no pencil or paper. Who provides them? The teachers often provide them out of their own pockets,” an obviously frustrated Lisa furthered. Then, she went on to ask numerous questions that some of these parents might not like the answers to.
“When you look at schools that are ‘failing,’ look at the parents and students. Do parents come to parent nights? Do they talk with teachers regularly? Do they make sure their children are prepared by having the necessary supplies? Do they make sure their children do their homework?” Lisa Roberson asked rhetorically.
“Do they have working telephone numbers? Do the students take notes in class? Do they do their homework? Do the students listen in class, or are they the sources of class disruptions?” Lisa continued before concluding, “When you look at these factors, you will see that it is not schools that are failing but the parents. Teachers cannot do their jobs and the parents’ job. Until parents step up and do their job, nothing is going to get better!”
Of course, the truth hurts, so for some, these words might sting a lot more than they do others. But, Lisa Roberson is right — at least to a point. A child’s success cannot be left up to the teacher alone. The parent must be present and, most importantly, they must parent. Although a teacher can help reinforce it, some things must first be taught at home. For starters, it is not the school’s job to teach our children fundamental manners and respect or be the first to introduce them to the concept of responsibility.
Those basic principles should be learned at home, taught by the parents before the child ever steps foot into a school classroom. Teachers are there to educate the children on things like reading, writing, and math. That simply can’t be done if the child doesn’t know how to behave. It might be hard to hear, but if a child is failing, before a parent points the finger anywhere else, they should do some self-reflection to make sure they are living up to their own expectations and responsibilities. Parents are a child’s first teachers, after all.
