educator Archives - Are Those Your Kids

Since beginning this blog, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of having serious conversations about race with other multiracial families.

In talking with other multiracial individuals, it seems as if there’s been a common thread. Many of their parents didn’t talk to them about race.

For some, their culture lended itself to diversity, so there was no need to talk about race-culture is what united them.

For others, their parents didn’t know how to talk about it–or simply didn’t want to. That is a personal choice, however at some point, your child will come face to face with race.

Why not have the conversation so they can be prepared?

If you are raising your child in a small town that lacks diversity, sending your child to school can bring on some fears about what they will face. Here are a few ways that you can raise well adjusted multiracial children in schools that are not diverse:

Define Your Child’s Ethnicity Yourself

When I was enrolling my child in PreK for the first time, there wasn’t a multiracial option for ethnicity. When I mentioned it to the Pre-K director, she looked at me like I had 2 heads and told me to just check all that apply.

I was shocked that despite the fact that multiracial Americans are one of the fastest growing group in America, there wasn’t a multiracial option. So I did just that, I checked black and white.

America is becoming a minority-majority population. Be sure to choose the ethnicity that you want your children to identify as. Don’t allow others to choose that for you.

Advocate For Diversity in the School

Are there diverse books in the library and your child’s classroom? Volunteer to read books that feature minority or mixed race (main) characters.

If the school is hosting a special event, recommend minority or mixed race guest speakers.

Advocate for a multicultural festival to bring a variety of cultures to the school. Some kids many never be exposed without this kind of experience.

Teach Your Child to Advocate for Themselves

The questions will come.

“What are you?”

“What are you mixed with?”

“That’s your mom? I didn’t know she was ______.”

Teach your kids how to answer these kinds of questions. Some of the questions don’t require a response. Some questions require a strong affirmative response that teaches people to back off.

Decide what’s appropriate for your child and discuss this at home BEFORE the uncomfortable questions come.

Be Present

No matter what kind of school your child attends, it’s important to be present and active in your child’s education.

Have regular conversations with your child’s teacher(s) about your concerns. Addressing concerns early in the year allows for a smooth year for your child and a proactive approach to solving problems.

This will also smash any stereotypes that teachers may have about multiracial families. Sad, but true.

Make Friends With Other Multiracial Families

It’s important for your kids to see other families like yours.

Even if your child is the only multiracial child in their class, it will be refreshing for them to spend time outside of school with other multiracial families.

Being an educator is hard work. Work doesn’t always magically end when the school day ends.

Often, “other duties & responsibilities as assigned” come in the form of meetings, late nights & impromptu conferences with parents defending our character.

I can’t tell you how many times people have commented (my husband included) that I am lucky to have the summer off. Trust me, educating the next generation and keeping up with them has nothing to do with luck.

Despite what the naysayers say, here’s why I think all educators deserve to have the summer off:

Educators Wear Many Hats

No matter our role, at one point or another we have been a child’s nurse, mother, counselor, and teacher. I’ve even joked with some of my frequent flyers that I need to claim them on my taxes (#sorry #notsorry)

We stand in the gap for those kids who don’t have support at home, whether it’s emotionally, financially or in any other capacity.

“Overtime” Means Nothing

Open House, math night, rising so and so night, PTA night……..

None of those nights come with extra pay. We work, we smile, we answer questions, then get up the next morning and do it all over again.

When I was 9 months pregnant, I worked an event for 3 hours after school.

Parents Can be Demanding

Parents get angry and pop up at the school. They demand meetings and threaten not to leave until they meet with someone.

They email incessantly and get upset if you don’t answer within the hour. They get mad if you call and tell them about what their kid did in school. They get mad if you don’t call and tell them what their kid did in school.

In a nutshell, some parents can be very difficult to please.

State Testing

You know how much your kids hate state testing? Well, educators do too. Can you believe we can’t even sit and read anymore??

The kids get antsy and uptight, and we have nothing to keep ourselves entertained while we pace the room. I’ve made many grocery lists during state testing. I think I wrote this post too.

Sickness

Do you have any idea how many germs are running rampant in a school at any given time??

Whenever a kid is sent home with lice, everyone starts scratching.

My daughter has missed numerous days this year because she always seems to catch something. And then she is so kind to pass it on to me. Being around kids 24/7 is a breeding ground for passing germs.