A Reckoning

Over the past several days, I've gotten a lot of feedback regarding the post about my son's homework.  (You'd never know it by the lack of comments here, but apparently, this thing is being read!)

I never used the teacher' name, and as I said throughout the post, I had qualms about writing it because I didn't want to hurt anyone or put my own darling son in a bad situation.  

Today, I deleted that post.  

I'm still a little confused as to whether that was the right thing to do.  The fact is, I have assiduously tried to be diplomatic here.  Originally, I was going to author this blog anonymously.  Then, when that seemed somehow cowardly, I decided to always err on the side of caution.  At any rate, I most want to share my experiences and--this is the crucial part--figure out solutions and discover new ideas.  

But last week happened, and I was frustrated.  To me, it was the perfect example of the disconnect between parents and schools that can derail the best educational intentions.

I decided that if it was my experience, and if it was factual and as truly reported as one's own perspective can be, then it might really be heard.  And it was!  (Most of the feedback was completely supportive.)

But like I said, I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.  I don't.   I was a teacher, and, as I will write about soon, I was the victim of parental antagonism.   It was an awful year for me, but I learned from it.  (The next year was my best year ever.)

A bully, I do NOT want to be.  

So, if you want that text of that post, I can send it to you.  If you disagree with my self-censorship, I'd love to know about it.  

And, apologies to my son's teacher on the remote chance she read the blog already.  Know this: There are things I need as a parent.  There are things my kids need as students.  But there are things YOU need, too, and I know that.  Those three things can come together in what we all seek--the best education system for all.