What’s The Matter With You People?

As a Superintendent, I receive hundreds of emails and many of them are dealing with the issues and problems of the day that we need to address and work on.  So you can imagine my reaction to a recent parent’s email about their experience recently at our High School’s Parent Teacher Conference.  It was such a different message that I had to share this with others as the way it started out left one thinking what would follow…  This parent gave me the go ahead to do just that.  So here goes – the slightly edited email is below…

Good Morning,

I wanted to send a note regarding my experience with Parent/Teacher Conferences last evening at Messalonskee High School. It is a bit of a rant, so forgive me…My son … is a sophomore at MHS.  Throughout his academic life in the District, I have always been impressed with the staff and like to take opportunities to give some feedback.  Last evening was somewhat different.  I left asking myself, “What is the matter with you people?”  Why, did I leave a bit puzzled?  Because in the 13 years I have been a parent in the District, this may have been my very favorite parent/teacher conference ever, and I am kind of a tough critic! I left, of course, quite proud of my son and his accomplishments, but I also left feeling so inspired and honored to have this group of staff involved with his learning.  The energy, enthusiasm and knowledge was simply outstanding.  I observed this in the short time I had with each person and I know, for certain, my son experiences this throughout his day at MHS.  He comes home often and announces things like, “Oh, I really like how Mrs. Hart teaches Accelerated Pre-Calculus, she’s a really great teacher, she gets it”, or “Mr. Martin, he’s great, I like his class, it’s pretty interesting”, or “I like my pottery class, I stink at the coil pots, but Ms. DeWan is teaching us a lot.” or “Mrs. Gilles, oh Gilley, you know Mum, when you can just tell that a teacher just loves their job?  Well, that’s Mrs. Gilles.”  Seriously?  And I repeat, “What’s the matter with you people?”  My son is engaged in his learning, able to push through difficult subject matter and watching adults around him who are engaged as well…the very best part of education.  So, my hope is that throughout your day today, among the budget issues, Learning Results, Assessments, etc., that often become the focus, that this note serves as a little reminder that what you do to serve your students on a daily basis, your excitement in your work, your connection with my son, has not gone unnoticed.  “What’s the matter with you people?”  Well, you are simply phenomenal, that’s what’s the matter.

Please join me in thanking all the Great Teachers in RSU 18 – I agree they are phenomenal. :>)