tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23671772.post116353456826485873..comments2007-09-19T08:55:35.912-04:00Donny Praterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12017449215780397645noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23671772.post-1163722683520991332006-11-16T19:18:00.000-05:002006-11-16T19:18:00.000-05:00Excellent stuff. <BR/><BR/>And I appreciate Libby's comment, too - it takes courage to do that, but I firmly believe that it's important to speak the truth in this postmodern world.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151219866964162321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23671772.post-1163618715962817612006-11-15T14:25:00.000-05:002006-11-15T14:25:00.000-05:00Great post, Donny!<BR/><BR/>PS. My url has changed to:<BR/><BR/>www.trailady.blogspot.com<BR/><BR/>Take Care! :o)Trailadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200198273960141832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23671772.post-1163567970205438852006-11-15T00:19:00.000-05:002006-11-15T00:19:00.000-05:00People often don't realize the enormous responsibility we have as teachers in simply molding young people into self-sufficient adults. We do much more than teach math, science, English, etc. We really need to know what is going on in the child's home. Some may say it is none of our business, but let me give you just one recent example of many I have faced in my years as an educator. <BR/><BR/>Yesterday I had to call a mother and let her know her child was not doing his homework. I was not going to even mention his poor attitude. I just wanted Mom to be aware BEFORE mid-term what was going on at school with her son. (To my surprise, he had already mentioned to her that I had approached him about his behavior.)<BR/><BR/>Now it isn't that unusually that I should call a parent regarding a drastic change in a student's work habits, but this particular call was one of the most difficult I have ever had to make. You see, this mother is dying of cancer. She isn't expected to live through the coming summer. I had become aware of the mother's health prior to the call and I debated if I should add any more to her plate. I prayed, as I usually do before calling a parent, (generally for wisdom and favor) but this time I needed assurance that I should make the call. I weighed in the fact that the mother is/was a prinicpal and being an educator myself, what would I want from my child's teacher. <BR/><BR/>I made the call. I could hear the resolve in the mother's voice as she at one point struggled to hold back the tears. I had the same struggle from my side. I held up through the next class (which the pupil was in) then let the tears flow at lunch.<BR/><BR/>I share this here because I felt my own blog may be seen my someone from my school (perhaps that student) and I do not want to embarrass or expose that family in any way.<BR/><BR/>I just wanted people to know that sometimes our jobs are difficult in ways the public can never imagine. <BR/><BR/>Pray for and support all the teachers and administrators. We hold the most precious asset that our country has in our "hands" every day. We need wisdom that comes only from God and we need support that comes from you.Libbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12028721002031210629noreply@blogger.com