Parent-Teacher Conferences
Some random thoughts:
1.) From three years ago –
At the end of every fifth grade parent-teacher conference, we said to the kids: “we love you.” I’m not going to lie — it was quasi-awkward to say in the first few conferences. By the end (after saying it more and more), it was easily my favorite part of the conference itself. Maybe you already do this (and if you do, #impressive), but it would be pretty cool if we told the kids we loved them more — whether it’s at the end of afternoon advisory, end of class, or [insert another time here]. I think most of the kids know we do but there’s something about saying it that’s special.
2.) From two years ago –
I left this round of conferences feeling more energized and more emotional (in a good way) than ever. Maybe it’s the re-realization that our parents and our kids work so fucking hard or the re-recognition that our parents and our kids trust us SO much (and the recognition that there’s a great responsibility on our parts because of that trust) or maybe it’s because I’ve been working here for seven years now and have taught so many siblings and cousins and family friends or maybe it’s because I look at this as a partnership WAY more than I used to (and I regret that I didn’t look at it more this way when I was younger) or maybe it’s because I’ve been in my feelings (very Drake-ish, I know) after an intense week … but tonight re-reminded me (as Kevin regularly does) that we are family.
3.) From last year –
So I definitely teared / got choked up during one particular conference tonight.
Long story short:
Our kids work so hard and trust us so much and (like literally everyone in the world?) just want to feel special.
This one girl was crying (I don’t think she hears enough how awesome she is; she’s used to being compared to her older brother and sister) and I definitely got rocked to the core when I saw her tears.
…
I don’t think there’s any particular moral to this story.
More a recommendation (to myself as much as anyone else) to embrace those moments that the words don’t reach.
To be present (Kevin rightly says this a lot) even when we’re not sure what to say.
Because, although we don’t always know the challenges our kids are facing, there really is a grace too powerful to name when we listen and feel and love and risk being vulnerable.
As one of my favorite writers / poets says:
It’s unimaginable.
4.) From tonight —
Best job I ever had.
