Two Paper Towels
One of the realities about teaching that seldom gets any attention is the role of parent that accompanies the job. As a culture we acknowledge that the classroom teacher wears many hats, from instructor to cop, nurturer to protector. Parents are usually our allies. We partner with them in the same way we partner with administrators and other community members. But playing that role to 35 at a time, and 150 a day can sometimes take a toll that seldom gets discussed in all the well-meaning reform conversations taking place these days. Often this role involves what Dr. Phil calls "a safe place to fall." Teacher as advice giver, as listener, as role model. Sometimes it's more like first responder. Certainly in the spate of recent school shootings, we have seen teachers and other school personnel rise to the occasion and play the protector/defender role with selfless courage. And then there are those physical emergencies. Actually that seems to be a euphemism. The e