The problem: I don't know which hat to wear! I want to talk to my kids teacher about concerns I have about pacing and presentation of curriculum?

[DrPepper12]

Here's the conundrum. I'm trying to figure out if I should do this as concerned parent or collegial practitioner. I should preface this by saying that I have almost no hope of changing the pace or priority of content. I don't think ANY observation (wearing any hat) about how he prioritizes different content or pace would have any effect whatsoever.

That said, if my observations wearing any hat will likely not have any effect other than communicating concern, should I still contact the teacher just to say I'm concerned but I don't want to be nagging and say "That's not how I would do it...". I keep on trying to compare this to a tradesman coming to my house; if an electrician, framer, mason, siding, windows, plumber, roofer, whatever were at my house (NOT LIKELY I do all of that work myself and have only had two occasions where a job was beyond me) would I say to them as the knowledgable homeowner "That's not how I would do it..." But that analogy fails because I still have an opportunity to influence the job. Addressing the teacher, my possibility club changing anything will likely have no effect. If anything just food for thought for a veteran teacher who is probably set in his ways.
I've had parents of kids in my classroom who were also teachers and I have gotten feedback that the pace (not my presentation or prioritization) is relentless. My reply was that it's an AP course that earns them college credit in high school and we treated as such. The problem here is it's a two-year course and the first year teacher did not keep a pace that the second year teacher didn't have to rush but that's not her call, that's departmental - all teachers use the same pace.

I don't know. I'm leaning towards saying nothing and just helping my kid the best way I can at home. What do you think? Have you or your parents ever intervened with a teacher about academic or curriculum concerns because they had specialized knowledge or even if they were just playing parent? How did that go?

Let it go. Help her at home.

Air the issue even tho there's no hope of desired solution

Bring it up privately with department chair in hopes of helping future kids

Other / something I haven't thought of

Updates

6 mo

TY all! I'm gonna shut up and wear my parent hat for my daughter. Much appreciated for all the sound well reasoned advice!! ♥️🙌🏻

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

I believe in the idea that I have acted, reasonably, to address an issue, upon something, whether or not it gives results. I would not use a teacher hat in this case, as it would probably signal rivalry and tints the discussion too much in the unwanted direction. Besides, in this context, you are a parent so I would follow the context.

But this is tough indeed

[RavVid]

I think pull your parent hat down firmly over your ears and avoid wearing the professional hat at all.

If her teacher knows you are in the business, still stick to the parent hat. It is not your role to review the teacher professionally.

[AI Opinion]

Engaging with your child's teacher is valuable if approached as a collaboration. As a parent, emphasize shared concerns and the child's best interests, rather than critiquing methods. Your intent can influence the outcome more than the conversation's content. I once worked with parents who shared similar concerns. Their approach involved expressing willingness to support learning at home, leading to effective communication. By focusing on collaborative support, you can promote understanding without imposing your perspective. Trust the teacher's expertise while advocating for your child's needs; it can lead to a constructive dialogue and better learning outcomes.

[exitseven]

You need to do it as a parent. If you suggest that you can do a better job than the teacher you will not get anywhere. Don't expect a miracle anyway. Teachers are a member of a protected class.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

protected from? Aliens, red caps, advertised orange cakes, what? 😏

[exitseven]

@Maybe_Maybe_not they have to molest a kid before getting fired. Being incompetent is not enough.

[bobby_bush_eater]

If the government won't tell you the child's curriculum, then that body has no right to education.

If/when I have children there's 0 doubt it will either be home school or a very specific private school.

[DrPepper12]

Ik the curriculum. I taught it. It's the pace and presentation that concern me.

[bobby_bush_eater]

It's different state to state city to city county to county.

I personally don't trust the education system and I was not educated by it. I did eh in a private system and graduated college with a 3.9 GPA while in the military full time.

My sports peers who did similar things mostly failed or were able to do one thing, my peers from my school system have been able to do things similar to myself.

This is an anecdote of course but I firmly believe there are so many better and viable alternatives to public school for middle class and above families.

[bobby_bush_eater]

When I say sports peers that's meaning city sports teams where the schools were all mixed.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

@bobby_bush_eater in short, you are willing to reproduce a system, for your hypothetical kids, based on the anecdote that is your experience. And you expect that your experience will predict the results for your kids. I don't blame you for that though, I am reproducing a system also, based on my experience.

[bobby_bush_eater]

@Maybe_Maybe_not

That's one way to view it yes, I don't think that's necessarily an unusual thing. I think it's unusual for people to not question it at all and just automatically enroll and send their kids to public school in full confidence.

I intend to continue to research it, and look for ways to incorporate both modern learning in technology while still maintaining the rudimentary values of how we were taught before screens were everywhere.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

well, sending kids to public schools can be a choice deriving from values, or the default choice, it's a case by case basis

[Jamie05rhs]

Option B but do not go into it with an attitude of hopelessness.

[Ladsin2]

Homeschool.

[DrPepper12]

Never. Look at the LONGITUDINAL studies.

[Ladsin2]

www.prosperityforamerica.org/.../
Better educational attainment, better long term success, less likely to be suicidal, less likely to abuse drugs, and less likely to be sexually abused? I'll need a source for what longitudinal study you're referencing. I know across America the illiteracy rate is rising indicating that the public school system isn't doing what we're paying them to do.

[DrPepper12]

A Koch bros libertarian think tank? Surely you can do better than that! You also might wanna check out the MoE, sampling and methodology before you post surveys... 😂

[Ladsin2]

That which is asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence. Everyone knows homeschool kids do better. Has always been the case, likely will always be the case. The question of why is up for debate. Maybe homeschool kids come from intact homes therefor they do better. Maybe homeschool kids have more affluent parents which allows them to take time to homeschool. Maybe the education department is more focused on placating teachers than educating students... etc
If you have some information that says children are getting smarter and doing better under the public school system feel free to share it. I know for a fact; however, that illiteracy and numeracy are falling among American youth and that's not going to help your argument.