Recently, I received an invitation to join a new local Facebook group. Out of curiosity, I clicked on the link and found a community formed to voice opposition against the public school district and demand changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents were insisting that there was no valid reason for children not to return to school full-time with normal, pre-pandemic hours. The group was also filled with memes criticizing liberals, selective virus statistics, and articles from the local news.
After reading just a few posts filled with angry comments, I quickly declined the invitation. I honestly don’t have the energy for that. Many of my friends and family are educators, and they are completely exhausted. (Yes, we still have three months left in the school year.) Right now, they’re not just facing the usual winter burnout but are being pushed to the edge by demanding parents. There’s no way I would join a group that is piling more pressure on our teachers. Instead, I believe parents should take a step back, not ramp up their demands.
The pandemic has illuminated the issues plaguing our education system. Wealthy parents are finally realizing what many have known for a long time: significant problems exist in American education. This criticism is not directed at our educators, who, like us, are subject to decisions made by those in higher positions. However, based on what my teacher friends and family share, this is not a time for complaints or demands.
I still remember when a relative jokingly said that because I was a teacher, I had the perfect schedule. “You get summers, weekends, evenings, and holidays off!” they said. I laughed at that misconception. The truth is, even as a college instructor, I spent summers planning for future semesters and new courses. Evenings were consumed with grading, preparing materials, and responding to students. Weekends? Forget about it. If there was a long weekend, I was still working. This was years ago. Now, teachers are working nonstop—wearing masks, maintaining distance, and trying to meet the rising expectations of parents who seem more demanding and, at times, hostile than ever.
“All of a sudden we are lazy. We just want to stay at home all day and we don’t know what is good for children,” said veteran educator Clara Jensen in an interview. “I agree — children thrive in school. But there were legitimate concerns regarding case numbers and how to maintain social distance. Yet, we were vilified.”
Teachers are currently grappling with constant schedule changes, pandemic protocols, and, on top of everything, assisting their own children with schoolwork. A friend of mine had a principal who wouldn’t allow her to work from home because he couldn’t micromanage her that way. A week later, she tested positive for COVID-19 after being exposed at school during close-quarter meetings. Meanwhile, her inbox was flooded with complaints from parents, particularly those of her high school seniors, questioning how she was preparing their children for graduation.
One of my child’s teachers, who was remote teaching from her classroom, had to stay home for weeks after her child was exposed to the virus. She was juggling teaching thirty remote students while assisting her four kids with their schoolwork—all while her spouse is also a teacher.
Entitled parents are demanding to know how teachers will help their children “catch up” and avoid “falling behind.” They’re upset if their child receives a C in math instead of the usual A. Some of my non-teacher friends are voicing concerns that their kids aren’t getting enough video instruction and have taken it upon themselves to supplement the curriculum. (Ugh.)
Instead of attacking teachers when the real issue is the pandemic, why not show appreciation? Consider giving your child’s teacher a gift card for coffee or lunch. Ask if any students lack the necessary technology for remote learning and organize a campaign to assist them. Use your time—rather than complaining on social media—to volunteer with school staff to prepare meals for low-income children who might otherwise go without. Send a positive email to your child’s principal praising their teacher.
Teachers didn’t ask for this pandemic, and they’re suffering alongside the rest of us—if not more. They’re responsible for numerous students, not just their own children. Every teacher I know works tirelessly for their students, caring about their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
I worry that as we navigate this pandemic and eventually emerge from it, we may lose many dedicated educators who can no longer endure the pressure. Yes, teachers are extraordinary, but they have feelings too. If we continue to express our frustrations, we risk collapsing our already fragile education system.
Parents, it’s time to take a breather. If a school-related issue isn’t an emergency, let it go, or approach it with calmness and respect. We shouldn’t waste our energy on yet another complaint. Teaching is one of the toughest jobs, and the pandemic has only made it harder. We need to recognize that we’re all in this together and support our teachers, which ultimately benefits our children.
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In summary, the pandemic has exposed severe flaws in the education system, exacerbated by the pressures placed on teachers by parents. It’s vital that we support our educators and remember that we are all facing challenges together.