Dear Parents

Dear Parents,

Thank you for entrusting us with your most prized possessions, your children, our children. Thank you for trusting and believing in us. Often times we as teachers and educators spend more time with your child, our child during the school day. We know how hard you work and that you send us the best you have every single day. We do not take our job lightly. We know we have an enormous task in front of us each day.

Sometimes we disagree and that’s okay. As teacher, we want to fix everything but we also know we have to create real life situations for your child to struggle and feel failure and success. It’s easy to jump in and rescue, but we must resist and teach resilience and grit. We learn from experience and the hundreds of children we’ve had before your child. We see their potential and gifts as we push them to see it in themselves.

Here’s what teachers wish you and your child knew…

“I wish my students knew how amazing and fabulous they can be. I wish they knew I teach every day for them.”

“Did you know your smile makes me smile inside?”

“I wish you could see your gifts and abilities through my eyes. You are going to make a difference in the world! Go and shine!”

“I wish you knew how special you are and how you inspire me.”

“I wish you knew how excited I am when you learn something new.”

“I wish you knew how much joy I get when you finally understand a concept.”

“I wish you knew everything you do today, prepares you for tomorrow.”

“I wish you knew working through it makes you stronger than you realize!”

“I wish my students knew how much I care about them as people, not just students in my class.”

“I wish you knew learning is hard, but I love working with you and seeing you grow.”

“I wish you knew it breaks my heart when you are mean to each other.”

“I wish you knew how great and wonderful you are. I learn from you every day.
“I wish you knew it makes me happy when you show each other you care.”

“I wish you knew how very important you are to me.”

So, when you feel overwhelmed and alone. When you feel like you are the only one fighting for your child, please pause long enough to ask what’s happening in the classroom? Reach out and have a conversation with your child’s teacher – we are a team and we want nothing more than for your child to be successful.

Teachers and educators what do you want your students and their parents to know?

Jen Robinson

Jen Robinson

Maricopa, Arizona

Hello, my name is Jen Robinson. I have been in education for over 20 years. I began teaching in Buffalo, NY in 1992, as a pre-school special education teacher. My experience ranges from primary grades through high school. My husband and I moved to Arizona in 2001, where we were fortunate enough to teach at the same school. In 2004, I achieved National Board Certification and currently support candidates. In 2011 I completed my Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation. My dissertation research focused on supporting National Board candidates through their certification process. During the 2012-2013 school year, I completed my National Board renewal process. It was humbling and very powerful to step back into a classroom. I am currently an elementary principal. I am excited and hopeful for the new school year. I also serve on the Arizona Teacher Solutions Team where we are solutions focused in an effort to transform and elevate the teaching profession.

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