Teacher Accountability

Yes, I am in full agreement that there should be accountability for teachers who are teaching our children. Unfortunately, there are some teachers who are incompetent and these type of teachers need to be scrutnized carefully and why not, they are entrusted with teaching our children. As parents of our children, we expect no less from all of our teachers. If they are ill prepared and irresponsible, they definitely should be removed from education.

However, I do have one concern regarding accountability for teachers. Yes, they will be held accountable but how about the parents of our students. Teachers cannot do it all. Students are in class approximately 6-6 1/2 hours per day, Monday to Friday. After these students leave school, teachers do not have additional contact with them until the following day. It is at this point where parental involvement is so important. Parents must ensure that their children are regularly doing their homework, getting a good nights sleep, eating right, and reducing the amount of television time. I say this because I, myself, am a teacher, and daily I see all of the previously mentioned issues occurring in my classes. Students are tired, not focus, hungry, and some have even told me that they regularly stay up all hours of the night watching television or playing video games, sometimes until two or three o'clock in the morning. How can anyone expect their children to succeed in school with them not being properly prepared each school day? For me, as a teacher, this has become a daily battle and we need all parents help to redirect our children.

Undue emphasis has been placed upon all school personnel that our children be prepared for the 21st century and a solid education is at the top of the agenda. But we need all parents help to work with teachers and other school personnel which will definitely assist us as a teacher, parent, and finally a community to realize our goals of educating our children in this century. Parents should likewise be held to some sense of accountability and with parents working alongside with teachers, all of our dreams and aspirations for our children will be realized. Yet, I do not see this happening in many of my classes and speaking to my colleagues, they also report the same problems-namely no parental responsibility or involvement. Believe me, as teachers, we need all parents assistance in educating our children ensuring they will become productive citizens in our society, and not become liabilities. Speaking for my colleagues, I know that most of us are regularly making phone calls, holding conferences with our students, and constantly keeping parents aware of different issues that may affect their children. Personally, I do not feel some parents are holding up to their end of the agreement where teachers and parents work closely together in educating our future leaders of our country, namely the United States of America. Believe me, all parents help is dearly needed and now!! With teachers and parents working together, we both will be accountable for our children and ensure that our country will continue to reign as a great world power. I solicit all parents, guardians, and anyone else deeply involved in the upbringing of our children to please work closely with your childrens teachers. We truly need your help and support!