I’d always considered myself to be a caring teacher. But when I became a parent myself, I gained a whole new level of understanding.
There’s a look in a parent’s eye when they sit across from you at parents’ evening. It says: “This child is my everything and I’m trusting you with them.” I’d always taken for granted the trust that parents put in me, but now I really get it. I go over and above to assure them that I’m doing everything I can to keep their child happy and safe.
Parents used to ask me if their child had friends. In the past, I fobbed them off and instead tried to focus on talking about their learning. After all, we only had 10 minutes, and learning should be the priority, right?
Now, as dad to two boys, I see how wrong I was. When I’m sitting on the parent side of the desk, I’m not overly interested in the volume of work my boys are doing. I’m more interested in who they are playing with and whether they are happy. Now, if parents ask me that question, I know what they really want to talk about and do all I can to comfort them.
I’ve always celebrated pupils’ small achievements, such as cutting out neatly and organising a school bag, but I never really understood how small matters could make you beam with pride. But now, I make the effort to relay these achievements to parents - and they always look proud as punch.
It’s not unusual for a parent to worry about their child’s fussy eating habits. In the past, I’d tell them that I’d keep an eye out at lunchtime. Now that I have a son who is an incredibly fussy eater, this level of concern makes complete sense - I go over-the-top in reassuring the parent that their child will not go hungry in school.
Having children has changed my teaching for the better. I’m more understanding of the needs of parents and, in turn, I can help them to feel more comfortable around the school. And when you’re more attuned to the needs of parents, you have a great foundation for everything else.
Adam Black is a primary teacher in Scotland who, in the New Year’s Honours list, received the British Empire Medal for raising awareness about stammering
