My Mom is a teacher, Now What?

As the year winds down,  I reflect on how my year went,  I look at students progress, I make adjustment and modifications for next year,  I go thorough all my check list and then the thought hits me.

How often as teachers, that our own families and lives are put on the back burner for the job we been called to do .   I was sitting filling out blue and pink cards for students grade placements and was watching my daughter sit and stare at me from one of my students desk.

As a teachers child, she attend all events whether she wants to or not, she has to stay after all her friends leave for the day, she is often in attendance of staff meetings and stuck in my classroom until I decide to pry myself away from my desk.

I looked over at her and asked, "what's wrong, you ready to go?"  She goes, " Yea,  but I know we can't leave until your done."  She grabs a computer and begins to play games and look at Netflix.  I smile and think to myself what an awesome child.


It is so often that we as teachers have to grade papers, attend professional development, stay late at school and make decisions that affect not only the students in our classes but our own kids.  We take our work home with us everyday.    I really am impressed with how well she accepts what being a teacher's child encompasses.

She works hard all day in her classroom, and then has to come and look at my classroom.  Being a teachers child is a daunting task.  She has to contend with the fact that I know what is happening in the class, I know what she should be doing, I know what is being sent home, I know when she is having an issue.   How do I know all this you say.  She is in the same grade level as I teach.  As if  having a mom as a teacher isn't enough, she is on the same grade level as her mom.  She acts as if she doesn't mind, but I am sure it does.  It has just become the norm for her.


I asked her did she like being a teacher's child she said it was rough.  I found that the kids make fun of her, they call her the teacher's pet because they think she gets favoritism and she has to contend with my actions and words to the other students in the fourth grade.  I often see her go into a huddle and move out of sight when I began to give directives or correct  a student.  It is so funny, but at the same time probably embarrassing as well.  She has to deal with the backlash the next day.  I try remember that.

I love her being at the same school because I have her close and don't have to worry about how she will get home.  On the other hand,  I don't want her to rely on me to step in when she is upset or having issues.  We talk daily about her problem solving and not looking to me to step in or fix the issues.  It started out rough but is getting better.  One more year with me, then off to middle school alone.  I am trying to get her equipped with the skills and tools she will need because I want be there to fall back on like now.

So just like teaching I have to find a balance.  We talk about the expectations for her as a student versus the expectations for her as my child.  We talk about the difference between me as mom and me as the teacher. She sees a part of me that she doesn't see at home.  She sees the firm, no holds bar disciplinarian, who has high expectations for students and want let them make excuses for things.  She says  sometimes I scare her, she doesn't recognize the person I am at school.

I laugh and ask the difference.  She told me at home  your funny, fun and act goofy.  At school,  you are serious and  direct.  I said, "good."  I explained to her as a teacher, I wear many hats, just like at home.  I also talk to her about how sometimes the way I wear the hat is presented differently.  A teacher's job is never done. I also have come to realize that I can't help her with homework,  because I know the curriculum and what is expected.  This causes me to be harder and push her towards the expected behavior when it comes to school work.  I realized she wanted me to be Mommy not Mrs. Lawson.  I had to step back and let my colleagues do the education and I provide the support and motivation.  


I say all this to say,  I appreciate both of my daughters.  The eldest attended college with me and put up with a working mom of two jobs and night school.  She grew up to be a very loving and supportive 21 year old that I am so proud of.  She  will be a Senior in the new school year.  She has been my rock and champion. She helped me to reach my dreams by not complaining about the time she spent in college classrooms, she cheered when I graduated, and she was the best little helper when I started teaching.  She too endured being at the same school with me.  I appreciate my 10 year old because she had endured long days and nights at the school house when other kids are home in regular clothes, watching T.V., outside or doing fun things besides sitting in  a classroom waiting for me to release and leave.

Teaching is a calling,  I get called mom a lot.  I realize now that I am a mom, doctor, counselor, friend, sister and teacher to not just my daughters but to the many students that I have taught over the years.   However, it is the two above that make the ultimate sacrifice.  Thank you Regina and Brittany.


I teach because I love it,  I teach because I care.  I became a parent because I have so much love to give and because I care.  I was called to teach, So I teach.  So Mom is a teacher, Now what.

I Teach

What is a teacher to me?

T-    Totally dedicated to her mission to create             life long learners

E-    Eager to learn with the students

A-    Always willing to be flexible

C-    Cares about the whole child

H-    Helps in any way he/she knows how

E-    Enthusiastic about what I teach

R-    Ready for anything