For those of us raised by educators, learning was a constant part of life. We understood the importance of rules, sitting up straight, and keeping our teachers happy. Our assignments were always polished to perfection, thanks to insider knowledge from our parents. I remember my mother spending countless hours adding unique touches to my science projects—details that would leave even the child of an advertising executive amazed. While society may call it helicopter parenting, I simply see it as the experience of having a teacher for a parent.
Here are 20 things that resonate if you were brought up by a teacher:
- Mediocrity is Not an Option: When tasked with “Write a journal entry from Civil War times,” I took it to the next level with homemade, antique-looking paper. Who doesn’t turn routine homework into elaborate art projects? (A hint: soak coarse paper in a wet tea bag, bake it, and singe the edges for that perfect touch.)
- Contests are Your Secret Weapon: My mom had a knack for knowing which assignments could be entered into competitions. I won various contests, including the Daughters of the American Revolution Essay Contest, often without even knowing I was competing.
- Lunchtime is Always Early: Lunchtime was set at 10:45 a.m., and I dare not disclose what time breakfast happened.
- Basic Skills are Child’s Play: Letters, numbers, and colors were expected to be mastered by age 2, so one could swiftly advance to kindergarten material before even reaching preschool.
- You Understand “The Look”: Teachers perfect the art of the disapproving glare, a skill my mother also employed at home. It meant, “Stop what you’re doing—now!”
- You Recognize the “Teacher Voice”: The tone your parent used when addressing students? Yeah, you know it well.
- Misbehavior is Off the Table: With your parent being friends with all your teachers, you can’t get away with anything. You’ll get a full report before you even reach home.
- Classroom Setup Skills are Resume-Worthy: Instead of a babysitter, I spent my end-of-summer days helping my mom prepare her classroom, which involved organizing seating and decorating.
- Skipping School is a No-Go: The ultimate embarrassment would be to play hooky.
- Teacher Gossip is the Best Kind: Conversations about faculty drama could rival any reality TV show—juicy enough to make the evening news!
- Lunch Prep is Essential: Packing lunches the night before was a must.
- Your Garage is a Supply Warehouse: You might have a collection of school supplies that rivals a small store.
- Grading Comes First: It’s the top priority after school hours.
- School Hours Don’t End at Dismissal: The work continues long after the bell rings.
- Avoid Comments About Summer Break: Unless you want to unleash frustration about how teachers “get the summers off.”
- Homework is Non-Negotiable: You can’t escape doing your assignments, as your parent still has theirs to complete.
- Parent-Teacher Conferences? Not a Thing: My mom didn’t bother attending them.
- Playing School is Risky: While you might enjoy playing doctor or house, pretending to be a teacher could drive your parent to the brink.
- By Day’s End, Kids are Overwhelming: No matter how much they love you, they’re ready for a break.
- Dreaming of Becoming a Teacher? Think Again: My mom often expressed how stressful her job was, instilling in us that if we’re going to face stress, it should come with better pay.
Reflecting on my time as a student makes me appreciate the journey. After 22 years of schooling, I never once considered teaching—I couldn’t fathom managing a classroom all day! However, the fun moments with friends, late-night report writing, and sneaky notes made school feel like home. I hope my son finds that same comfort in school. If he struggles, I’ve lined up my mom to step in as a boot-camp style substitute teacher.
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Summary
Growing up with a teacher as a parent means navigating a world of high expectations and unique experiences, from perfecting school projects to understanding the nuances of teacher-parent dynamics. This upbringing shapes our perspectives on education, parenting, and what it means to be a student.