The Miami Herald

Recently I conducted my 14th annual "Open House" event for parents. Unlike some of my colleagues who describe this night in terms bordering on terror, I actually look forward to it. I remember a discussion I had years ago with a veteran teacher who decidedly did not look forward to this night. "Iﾒd gladly give this one up," she remarked, "for a dozen more parent-teacher conferences." To me, she had it all backward.

I enjoy Open House for the promise it invariably holds out to parents that their children, off to a fresh start, will be happy and successful. Before the school year has really taken off, before teachers have been required to grade, judge, and assess, I can stand before a fresh group of parents and share a moment of their hopes, dreams, and aspirations for their children. This year, for the first time, I decided that the parents werenﾒt coming to hear the sort of information that could easily be found in the school handbook or on the school website. "They want some insight into the kind of person I am and the kind of teacher I am likely to be for their children," I donﾒt think I flattered myself into believing.

For the next five minutes we watched a movie from the website www.raisingsmallsouls.com titled "Animal School." It begins, "Once upon a time the animals had a school. They had to create a curriculum that would satisfy everyone . . . ." It proceeds to describe (with beautiful images and stirring music) how the various animals---the polar bear, the bee, the squirrel, the eagle, among others---are denied the successes they deserve because by their natures they cannot measure up to the "one size fits all" expectations of their teachers. The movie ends with the hope-filled message that attentive and caring parents can find the wherewithal to raise healthy and happy children. Schools, of course, have a crucial role to play as well; the kind of school a child attends, and the sort of teacher a child has, can make all the difference in the world. When the lights went up in the classroom, it was clear that the movieﾒs message had struck a chord with several parents. (It was obvious, I think, from their, and my, tear-filled eyes.) I had another 25 minutes to "fill," but, as one parent remarked, "What else is there to say?"

"Animal School" is a powerful reminder of why I became a teacher in the first place, the reasons having very little to do with the "stuff," the subject matter, of teaching. Through it, I was able to connect with parents at an emotional level that Iﾒve never experienced before. Iﾒm looking forward to the first parent-teacher conferences later in the fall in a way I never have before. More important, Iﾒm looking forward to the upcoming school year with all the bears, bees, squirrels and eagles, eager to share in the successes they deserve.

John DeMartin
305-491-3827
Miami Country Day School
Miami Shores 33161
5th Grade
All subjects