Category: being me

being me, parents, teachers

Your Child’s Teacher; Who Cares What Parents Think?

Pernille Ripp
Image from here

Yesterday I fired my OB.  The uneasy feeling every time I saw him could not be dismissed and I figured now was better than later.  His lack of concern for my well-being, his nonchalant attitude about having twins, his lack of communication all led to this decision and after I made it, I was relieved.  Sure I have to start with a brand-new OB at 16 weeks, but I think it is worth it.  So why do I share this bit of info?  Because I couldn’t stop thinking about how much it had to do with the role a teacher plays in a child’s life.  In fact, a child’s teacher is one of the only things we have absolutely no say in as parents, one of the only areas in our life we are left without a voice.

In America, a child is assigned a classroom teacher at the elementary level and that teacher is the biggest educational influence that year.  Parents have usually no say in who that teacher is and have to place their faith in the hands of the previous grade level teachers and the principal.  Sure they can ask for a placement but I wonder how many principals actually honor it?  Now don’t get me wrong, I can understand why every single parent doesn’t get to pick their teacher -talk about a popularity contest – but still, shouldn’t there be room for some sort of input?  After all, that teacher can make or break the future of this child’s education and ultimate fulfillment in life.

Most of the time the placement of the child works seamlessly and there are no parent complaints, but sometimes it fails.  Sometimes the teacher’s style of teaching, of communicating, of caring for that child flies in the face of what the parent believes in and that uneasy feeling crops up.  Sometimes a principal is involved, sometimes, the parent just sucks it up and hopes for a better one next year.  But is this right?  Should parents have to wait a whole year to get to a new teacher?  Shouldn’t they be able to have a say in what type of teacher their child gets at the very least?  The type of nurturer and mind-shaper they think will benefit their child.

I think one of our downfalls in our schools is that we think we are the only child-experts.  That because we have taught for  amount of years we know what is best for children even if a parent doesn’t agree.  I think that needs to change.  We need to allow parent input in placement, ask them about communication style, about homework and classroom management, ask them what type of environment their child will flourish in and then place that child accordingly.  Don’t make it about the teacher; make it about the child and allow for choice in this sacred cow of the American school system.  I fired my OB, why can’t parents at least decide who gets hired for their child?

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being me, blogging

Is Blogging Worth Our Time?

Pernille Ripp
In June 2010 I started to blog, a journey I will not bore you with here.  Since then I have updated my blog, now blogs, almost on a daily basis, letting my thoughts, mistakes and achievements flow freely.  Most of it here has been education related with snippets of my personal life shining through.  The change in my life has been dramatic from the smallest things such as constantly thinking about whether I can blog about something or not, to large things like the time I have dedicated (thus losing it other places), the connections I have made, the conversations I have been engaged in and even the criticism I have faced from strangers and friends alike.  So I wonder whether it is worth it?

Is blogging and baring your soul really worth it to anyone?  Can we outweigh the negatives, the backlashes we may create in our professional lives all in the name of transparency?  Can we say the time spent blogging has been worth it when I look at my daughter and see how she seems to be growing in front of me?  The self-doubt created on whether I made my mind clear or if I just said something I shouldn’t have?  The scrutiny faced by others when we put it all out there?  Is it all worth it?

I started to blog because I needed to reflect on my journey as a changing educator, I blog now to keep myself honest, to reach others, to connect, and to perhaps change education.  But am I really doing that? Is my investment worth it?  Or are the goals too lofty? Can we really change education by blogging about it?

being me, power

I Am the Job Creator

Pernille Ripp
As the rhetoric fills the airwaves, I keep hearing two words over and over… job creators.  The job creators need tax breaks, the job creators have the right to be heard, we must focus on the job creators.  Well I am here to tell you something…

I drop my child off at daycare every day with a wonderful woman that teaches her how to be a member of this society – I am a job creator

I drive my car to work and sometimes stop for diesel at the local gas station, I am a job creator

I go to school and teach students the skills they need to be successful, I am a job creator

I shop for groceries to feed my family and try to stay local as much as possible, I am a job creator

I spend my extra money at the mall chasing the American dream, I am a job creator

When the economy dries up, my paycheck gets cut so that I can feel the pain of the real world.  Well I have felt the pain all along working a job that pays me little in money but much in love.  So don’t tell me I am not a job creator, because I am the one the spends the money that keeps the economy going.  I am the one that keeps it local, buys American made, and worries about how my actions in my community affects those who held the jobs.  I am the job creator with everything I do.

being me

In Which I Reveal My Biggest Project Yet

Pernille Ripp
I have a hard time keeping secrets (because I get so excited) and did let this one slip to a couple of people but we are finally ready to reveal my biggest project to date.  Brandon and I are thrilled, astounded, and utterly in awe that we are expecting twins this summer.  For those who know, infertility has been a long journey for us and we have long considered Thea to be our miracle baby.  Thus the idea of two siblings for her is enough to make me cry with joy (and yes, there has been a lot of crying – double the hormones…).

So while my dedication to changing the world of education remains the same, my pace may slow down a bit.  After all, I can’t remember where I put the milk anymore let alone try to stay awake past 9 PM.  So bear with me these next few months of life-changing adventure and thank you all for all of the wonderful thoughts you have sent our way.  It worked!

The nurse actually said, “Ummm, I have a surprise for you…” and then showed us this.  She sure did – two beating hearts.

being me, happiness, projects

Won’t You Be Happy With Me?

Pernille Ripp
Whip cream, a quiet classroom, students reading, my daughter crashed in the car, Amos Lee…all things that have made me happy in the last 13 days.  How do I know this?  I have been documenting all of these small moments on my new blog The Happy Streak.  This is not a blog to write on but one used for personal reflection through cell phone pictures.  By then posting pictures of all of those small, usually insignificant and quickly forgotten moments of happiness, I am making myself a happier person overall.

Had you asked me on January 1st whether I had ever gone 13 days in a row being happy every single day, I would have said probably not, after all, being a teacher, a mother, a partner, a friend, a daughter all causes stress.  And yet here I am, 13 days into my happy streak and every single day I have indeed been happy.  Every day I have found smile inducing, grin bearing moments that have taken over the mood of the whole day.

This new adventure lets me record those small moments that bring the smiles.  Seeing my husband come home from work, a beautiful sunset, needing sunglasses in January, even the first snowstorm – all part of my happy streak.  By doing something as simple as taking a picture of that moment they take over my life and become the focus.  I catch myself all day now finding happy streak moments, wanting to record them, smiling about them.  I am so lucky, I have such a wonderful life, I am glad I finally realized this.  So won’t you be happy with me?  How will you realize your happy moments?  When will you begin your very own happy streak?

being a teacher, being me

I Don’t Want to Be Superwoman

Pernille Ripp
We worry about whether we are enough.  Whether we plan enough, whether we know enough, do we grow enough or are we outdated?  We worry about whether we are reaching them, teaching them, and always making them feel like they can do it, like they matter, like they belong.  We worry because that is what teachers do.  Did we do enough? Did we listen enough?  Did we let them speak, find their voice, share their passion?  Did we uncover their talents and boost their weaknesses?  How will they remember school?  How will they remember us?  Will it matter all of the tears, the time, the trouble we went through so that they knew they were important?

I know I am not superwoman, and nor would I ever want to be.  Superwoman isn’t human, she is too busy to sit down and listen to a story or see a lightbulb moment.  Superwoman has to save the world and my shoulders cannot carry that.  So I would rather be human, be me, be here in this classroom, at this time, working with these students.  Being there for them, catching the moments, guiding and stepping back.  Letting them fail and learning with them.  I would rather be me, thankful for this time, for this moment, for these challenges that I know I can carry.  Superwoman cannot invest, but I can, and I do, every day, every moment, even after they are gone.  They are my children and I grow with them.  That is what teachers do.