The Unique Experience of Teaching My Own Child
In my experience, there is nothing quite like teaching one's own child. The dynamics change dramatically, especially when the child learns directly from their parent or guardian. As a teacher and parent, I have faced unique challenges and situations that have shaped not only my professional but also my personal life.
My Mom as My 4th Grade English Teacher
One of the most vivid memories for me is when my mom was my English teacher in the 4th grade. I had a firsthand experience of how teachers react to teaching their children. She was always anxious about my performance, particularly whether I would give the correct answers to questions or if I would avoid participation to avoid any potential negative outcomes. Her primary concern seemed to be maintaining her professional reputation, rather than focusing on the student's actual performance.
Even when I deserved an A, she would give me a B due to an unconscious preference to avoid favoritism. However, this practice had a strange side effect: she indirectly provided ample attention. She would continuously remind me to stay focused, which inadvertently made me feel like a favorite, though in a subtle way.
A Personal Experience of Teaching My Daughter
Years later, as an adult, I found myself in the position of teaching one of my daughters in my eighth-grade English class. Although I initially had misgivings about the situation, I managed to maintain a professional stance. Surprisingly, the experience turned out to be quite beneficial, even if there were no significant issues occurred during the period.
One of my daughters requested to be in my class because of her perception of the eighth-grade English faculty. Initially, I argued against it. However, when the principal decided to give me the final say, I relented. He wisely said, 'You are a professional and an adult; you decide what’s best.' I must admit, that advice was a relief and made the decision-making process much easier.
Challenges Faced
One of the main challenges was my daughter's tendency to complete her work but never submit it. This habit persisted in most of her classes except for music, which might be attributed to my exalted presence in the English class. Despite the challenges, I was supportive and even joked about it with her afterward.
Interestingly, my daughter found the experience of being in my class quite advantageous. She shared that the fact that she received a D in my class during one marking period actually did her more social good than any other event in junior high. She attributes this to a unique turning point in her social life.
A Balanced Perspective
Reflecting on these experiences, while teaching one's child can be challenging, it also offers a unique opportunity to observe from a different perspective. As a parent and teacher, I've learned that maintaining impartiality is crucial even if it means facing potential biases. Furthermore, being a professional adult and handling these situations with maturity is key to success.
Teaching your own child can be a mixed bag of emotions and memories, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. These experiences reflect the complexity and depth of the teacher-child relationship and offer valuable insights into both teaching and parenting.