Yeah, that in the subject. I was at a school training the other day and the teacher I'm replacing (switching schools) gave me the notes on the kids. Seems he's also a bit of a troublemaker. Huh.
Knowing this district fancies itself a salt-of-the-earth rural sort of district, I'm crossing my fingers Grandpa is more along the lines of "don't embarrass me, kid!" vs "Cater toward my grandkid".
Back when I was subbing my son only had one rule he had to live by - don't do anything that I would hear about in the teacher's lounge before I heard it from him. I didn't want to be ambushed with bad news about my son's grades or behavior when all I wanted was time to scarf down a lunch. It worked well for us, so hopefully grandpa has had a similar talk with the grand-kid. Let me wish you best of luck and the hope that this grand-kid fails to sink to lowered expectations..
Just do what you normally do, teach how you normally teach. You can’t do anything more than that. But perhaps when it comes to assessments, especially if it’s a bad grade, perhaps get another teacher to mark the assessment as well.
I don't agree with this advice. You should not have to feel you are walking on egg shells around this child, or feel that you have to give the child special considerations. The child needs to meet your class requirements and if not, receives the same consequences as anyone else. I'm pretty sure the superintendent would not be surprised about anything. And, anyways, the parents will be your main concern. Have fun!
I don't feel particularly pressured to walk on egg shells with this kid, thank goodness. More just... wow, what should I feel? I like to assume most adults won't be pulling that sort of card. Plus, since he will be a first grader, I can't help but wonder if he may have matured a bit since kindergartens, since I've seen that many times.
I've taught principal's kids and headmaster's kids before... no big deal. They tend to be the most understanding. What I'm more worried about is that I'm teaching the last kid who's Mom H*A*T*E*S me. Called me a terrorist to my principal because I shot down a discussion that her son started on Osama Bin Laden after he was killed (he lost his dad in 9/11). She was shocked to see that I was still there (why??), so this year should be freakin' awesome!
I agree with the first half of this but not the second. Just business as usual. I would be hopeful he /she sees all you do from newsletters to activities. If you do get a little worried, ask previous teachers how it went and what they did.
You know, while I'd probably be a bit (ok, a lot ) nervous, I'd be excited for the opportunity to showcase my skills on such a high level. Use it as an opportunity to highlight all the positives in your teaching, to hone and focus your work, and recognize that they're human, too! I had a couple kids of teachers (at our school) last year, and the previous year, had the kid of a principal in another district -- just being myself, but motivating myself to truly be at my best, led to some great friendships/positive relationships, and even the principal trying to get me to interview over at her school . You'll rock it!
I've never had an administrator's kid before (mostly because none of them have high school aged kids ), but I've had many board member's kids (and technically they are even above the administrators). Last year alone I taught 3 of them. There weren't any issues or expectations of special treatment, even when I had an issue with one of them (that I don't want to get into details about on here of course).
I’ve had children and grandchildren of superintendents, school board members, principals, assistant principals, college professors, and many fellow teachers, but I’ve mostly taught in small communities so the odds are high that I’d get their kids. Just go about your business. It’ll be fine.
