"1. I can't do it alone
"Then ask for our help and be specific. Notice: *ask*, don't dictate to us, don't use terms like "rubric," "activate prior knowledge," or "differentiate" unless you know that I have a degree in education. Ask for our input. And for the love of Dewey, don't bring my child into the conversation and manipulate his/her responses to suit your needs."

Not sure I completely disagree on this one, although I'm not sure I totally understand, but I think I follow.

2. I never stop thinking about your child
Bull-oh-knee. I know, and I taught, too many in-practice teachers to believe this. Sure, some do some of the time. But *never* is not the right word here.

I'm not sure the use of a superlative is inappropriate. I don't think anyone thinks the teacher is saying she sits around thinking about that one student 24 hours a day. The point is that her students are a huge part of her life and often more so than the parents.

3. Yes, I am saying your child is lying
But by not saying this, *you* are lying. Be direct, since we're both adults here.

okay. But understand that being direct will get you fired. They WILL go to the school board, and the school board WILL think of re-election first. It may be less idealistic, but it is a better career move to fly under the radar, pure and simple.

4. We are all cheering for the same team
Not always. This varies largely by teacher and by where/how the teacher was trained, but the present-day, critical-theory- and self-esteem-based practices are designed so that the school replaces the home as the primary socializer. The assumption that we have the same goals is an ugly reminder of the hubris of educators today.

These things are forced upon teachers (for the most part) - not promoted by them. Don't shoot the messenger.

5. We really don't think every child needs medication
The text in this section doesn't follow the heading because it says, "All kids who need meds should get them because 'it just may pay off.'"

yeah... probably

6. The way you speak about education directly influences your child's opinion
Yes, and the teacher's performance and ability to communicate with us will directly influence how we speak about him/her.

So as long as they keep you happy you will support them? The greatest teachers will often piss off the most people. They operate much like a personal trainer. You want to kill them because they push you to your limit. Don't blame the doctor because you are fat.

7. Your child doesn't have any friends because he is unkind
Wow. So every loner's problem is that they are mean? Just... Wow!

Yeah... sometimes this one might be accurate, but maybe others are unkind. Not a good statement except in rare circumstances.

8. It's OK to let your child struggle
Finally we agree on something!

Me too.

9. Your appreciation goes a long way
Yes, but my appreciation is earned, not given. I choose to show my appreciation with a) property taxes, b) donating to school fund-raisers, c) volunteering to help when possible, d) being involved with my child's education (as *we* want to and as best serves *his/her* needs, not yours). If we do appreciate your efforts, you will get a nice Christmas and end-of-year gift. (You're correct that teachers don't get into the profession for a paycheck, but if the payoff is seeing kids learn and grow, then why do so many leave each year?)

see #6 oh... edit - they leave because they got into teaching because they love kids, but find that they can't let their own starve and lose their minds doing it.

10. Thank you

You're welcome, and thank you for your best efforts as well (assuming you've made them). But, for clarification, I don't "share" my child with you each day. My child belongs to his/her family, not to you, even for a short time.

Not legally... I mean this is true, but we get more time than most parents to. Most parents drop them off, hold teachers to higher expectations than they hold themselves, and at 100:1 ratio. We are legally MORE accountable than parents are.

I'm not totally on a different page. I guess I just sense some skepticism about teachers from you... and I think I share some of that, but I think the vast majority of teachers do what they can and most of the annoying stuff they do is forced on them by parents and policy. You have to let them make their own decisions before you can hold them accountable.

Just random thoughts.