As a Parent

One of the unique benefits that most educators don't acknowledge enough is the extra time we often get to spend with our own children when they go to our school or one nearby. My daughters have always spent a disproportionate amount of time in school. When I was a teacher and coach, they tagged along to practices and events, and later when I became an administrator, they attended arts and athletic functions when I had a duty to be there. When I initially started working in Greene County, I was still living in Pitt County and my children went to school there, but it didn't take long for me to bring them with me if nothing more than the added benefit of seeing them more and supporting them the best way I could.  My wife has generally left school information and functions to me (until the girls got older and didn't always want me there) and I was always able to be involved as a parent in their school functions. My experience with my children and their schools has not been the normal experience for most parents that have a career. 

This year, I've started to understand and appreciate the more traditional role of a working parent as I've been much more involved in things that have not allowed me to be as present. Both of my parents worked, and they had to prioritize what they were able to attend to see me do, and for the first time, I've had to do the same thing. This week was particularly tough as I couldn't attend Rylee's last tennis match of the season because I was hours away. I had to check in with Reagan and her day via Facetime, rather than our usual discussion when I grabbed her from the car rider line. We are making it work, but it's not always the same. However, I have an advantage. Over the past several weeks, several of you have reached out to me to send pictures of my daughter in class or at tennis. I've even gotten a few funny stories about things you've seen. It's as if you knew that I, as a parent, would want to see that and you shared that experience with me and I can't tell you how much it means. 

As a parent, we all want to support our children. We trust their teachers to not only instruct them in content curriculum, but in our absence, we often need them to support our children in other ways as well. Ultimately, I wish that every parent was able to share in some part of the experience that you have given me this year when I wasn't able to be there.  The unexpected anecdotes of our child's success do amazing things to brighten our day and reassure us that they are doing well. Taking a minute to do this is one of the most customer-focused things an educator can do. As a parent, I want that for every parent. As a principal, this is ultimately why I ask you to try to prioritize parent communication. I'm not sure if the pictures and texts that I received will make it to your Parent Contact Logs, but they are exactly why we do them. As a parent....thank you.